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Morocco Topics specific to Morocco, including Western Sahara west of the berm
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  • 2 Post By Tim Cullis
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  #1  
Old 23 Jun 2023
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Maroc route to western sahara
There's little point in me trying to "make the best route" when i've never travelled through morocco on a bike. I'm looking to receive information on routes through morocco down to western sahara is. Is there a thread or resource that shares "the best" routes through morocco and ws? I'm not looking to rush down the country but instead visiting the small rural areas that someone with 15 days wouldn't be able to do. I appreciate all the info, thanks in advance!
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  #2  
Old 24 Jun 2023
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Once you enter WS, there's only one (paved) route you can take to get to Mauritania, and that's the coastal highway.

As for what route to take from the Tanger Med port to the border with WS, that's kind of like asking "What's the best route to take from Hamburg to Marseille?" There could be 1,000 different answers, it all depends on what you are interested in seeing - and to a lesser extent, what you are interested in avoiding.

Best suggestion I can give you is to purchase a Michelin Map of Morocco (Michelin map number 742) and spend time studying it. It is a superb map and includes all of WS as well. If you are buying it online, make sure you will be getting the latest issue, which I believe was released in either 2018 or 2022.

Michael
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  #3  
Old 24 Jun 2023
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While you're buying that Michelin map, pick up a copy of Chris Scott's Morocco Overland. Then you can come back here and ask more specific questions.

There is already an overwhelming amount of information on The HUBB--so much that without an overview it's difficult to make sense of it all. Map is a good first step; guidebook a close second.

Hope that's helpful.

Mark
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  #4  
Old 24 Jun 2023
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Got it! What's your thoughts on taking off road tracks through ws and mauritania?
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Old 24 Jun 2023
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The best map for Morocco is Reise Knowhow, https://www.amazon.co.uk/Morocco-Rei...068/ref=sr_1_1 Ignore the description that it's from 2015, it's at least the 2019 version.

The Reise Knowhow map is plasticised (anti-rip) which the Michelin one isn't. It's double sided, so only half the physical size of Michelin. And like Michelin it shows scenic routes edged in green.

Many of the road numbers changed in 2018, Google Maps still shows the old numbers (!!) though Apple Maps and OpenStreetMap have the new numbers. The Reise map shows both old and new road numbers.
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Old 24 Jun 2023
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With regard to maps and guide books, all of them are out of date and won’t have all the new roads on. Fortunately for the WS there is only the main coast road to Mauritania, the Tantan-Smara-Laayoune road and old coast road from Tarfaya.

Google maps has been unblocked and is usable for directions now, although it did try to route us through reservoir that was constructed several years ago.

The inland pistes in the WS. They aren’t technical but are very remote, limited phone signal and of course there’s a risk of Uxos. We found mortar shells and rocket casings back in April near the Tantan Smara road. When we did the Dakhla piste in November we saw 2 vehicles and maybe 2 people in 3 days. As I’ve said before I don’t recommend travelling solo if you’re not an experienced desert travellers.

Inland Mauritania is similarly remote and finding petrol can be more difficult but not impossible. 2 motor biking social media types who recently documented their Mauritania travels had 4x4 support they didn’t mention. That said some friends who are very experienced travelled unsupported for several week in Mauritania on bikes last December.
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Old 24 Jun 2023
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The Reisse Map has been updated this year /edition number 13 - 2023)

https://www.reise-know-how.de/de/pro...11000000-45905
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Old 24 Jun 2023
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Wow Warden.Where on the Tan Tan Smara road did you find them
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Old 24 Jun 2023
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Mortar shells just east of the first cheap petrol stations. Rocket casings near the 2017 Mine location. Unexploded shells near Mseid just off the piste SE of the village. More mortar shells near El Haggouina
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Old 4 Jul 2023
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Quote:
The Reisse Map has been updated this year /edition number 13 - 2023)
Fyi I just bought one.
Apart from the different cover, appears nearly identical to the 2019 (which was a genuine update, iirc).
Save your money.
Long version.
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