Morocco Bound End March-Mid April
 

Hi all,

Newbie here, been a lurker for a while when the idea to travel to Morocco came at the end of 2019 - inspired by Dan Walsh's 'These are the days that must happen to you' given by my then biker sister at age 17.

Seen a few people are heading out over a similar time, so thought I'd post that another will be about. Heading down on Sunday from the UK through France/Spain (strikes permitting) and aim to be in Morocco for mid next week.

I'll be up in the North for a few days (Chef, Fes, Meknes maybe) before spending most of the time in the South between Merzouga and Zagora and up in to the High Atlas, as it seemed the most sensible to hit trails/see sights without over extending with the time I have and flexibility to meander as I fancy.

Thanks to all the information from people on here and the infamous Chris Scott of course.

Thought I'd ask here too if any new reports on the MH13 as haven't been able to find anything on this area via Youtube searches of the famous tunnel/forum posts/google searches etc. I'm trying to keep out of too much trouble as I'll be going solo on a F800GS, but equally not afraid of a challenge, always a balance eh?

Either way, if you see a bloke on a yellow BMW 800GS on UK plates with questionable pannier placement, it'll likely be me. (I can't get them to sit nicely on the bike no matter what I do because the sticky-out exhaust and no pannier rack).

Cheers,
Tris

Hi Tris, if you want to do the tunnel I will take the short ride up from the east end and then decide if you want to tackle what will be a washed out track back down west to the first villages and the road. (ie: reverse of the book RD).

Imo it will soon be too hot to be trying anything ambitious alone on a big bike between Merzouga and Zagora. I would find agreeable place to base yourself, dump your gear and do unloaded day rides.

Thanks for the advice Chris, I've been able to see the tracks relatively clearly on satellite imagery, so could be a clear track, however I hear that there was a spot of bad weather somewhat recently and can see a water course running alongside it, so as you say might be worth a view from the ground to make a decision.

I'm heading in from the East side, or at least plan to, so will be a good point to stop and take stock at the top.

Definitely won't be doing anything overly crazy loaded up, going to ensure I have some break days too to rest between it all. Just hope there is still some dirt left on the routes I've marked out as possibilities in the area :laugh:

Forecasts are predicting high 30’s next week.

We’ve just spent a week off road in the High Atlas without much in the way of problems from the recent bad weather. But we did abandon 2 days east of Imichil as our planned route was too dangerous.

We didn’t go into the area around the tunnel though

As a Morocco newbie myself, I burst my “cherry” over the last two weeks. Absolutely incredible and can’t wait to come back.

All of which is to say this - having done the Merzouga - Zagora route last week fully laden, and then ridden the same bike pretty empty, I’d definitely take Chris’s advice on this one about doing unloaded day rides; a fully loaded bike is defo a good one if you’re up for a Type 2 challenge but next time I’ll mix it up with Type 1 fun, sans luggage too!

Cheers

Ed

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Thanks for the advice, I had been thinking about the Merzouga -> Zagora route, the crossing at Ramlia was the thing that put me off as I have heard it really depends on the day you hit it how it could be, was going to take the wimpy... sorry sensible route up via the road West and down to Sidi Ali to cut it out.

The bike definately feels heavy, too used to going out with nothing on.... the bike that is :laugh:

Love the pic!

Around the oued at Ramilia was pretty sandy TBF - but manageable and only for maybe 1-2km. I was warned early on about it by locals ("You must get a guide!") but I figured that if I got that far and it was too difficult then I'd just turn back/find another way one way or t'other.

Am headed back to Maroc in 5 weeks' time. No sure if I'll head that way again as the weather during the day is unlikely to be ginger-friendly enough, but if there's a chance the temps aren't too bad I know I'll be tempted.

Ed

Just thought I'd drop a note regarding MH13.

Rode it today fully laden from Agoudim side (coming from East), the ride to and up the mountain was OK, bit rough in patches, some slight ruts on the slopes going up, again in patches.

Going down the other side I found it to be much easier, note that there are lots of ford crossings, but it was dry as a bone when I went today.

There is a radio/telecoms mast up at the top and I sense the West side of the tunnel has been graded, but no prior knowledge to confirm this.

Chris' route differs from what is on the ground, from Tana onwards there is now a tarmac road, however you can still see/access parts of the original route, with some overlap where the road now is. I decided to stick on the road from Tana on.

See image for the original MH13 gpx and the recorded track from today.