Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > Morocco
Morocco Topics specific to Morocco, including Western Sahara west of the berm
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Like Tree104Likes

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #241  
Old 6 Dec 2015
Chris Scott's Avatar
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jun 2000
Posts: 4,934
Thanks for the updates and glad you had a good time, Frost. You got a lot done and probably need a holiday. Weather's been amazing, even here in the High Atlas, still. Been out bagging new pistes today. It can't last much longer.

Are you sure MS3 is sealed all the way to Merzouga? That will be the end of the famous MS6 then. Or could it be MH3 - also a former classic - but it has a col.

Next time try MS12 and MH14 - both brilliant full-day routes (doable on a F650 twin).
Attached Thumbnails
Route Conditions and Road Closures - send updates-p1010493.jpg  

Reply With Quote
  #242  
Old 9 Dec 2015
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 6
Hi Chris, yes, weather was perfect except for 1 day in 14, so we rode every day. I think I mean MS3 but don't have the book to hand. Tazzarine-Tarhbalt-Tizi-n-Tafilalet-Zagora? It's not yet sealed over the col but the rest is. Nowhere near Merzouga so it looks like I've messed up...
Reply With Quote
  #243  
Old 26 Jan 2016
Chris Scott's Avatar
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jun 2000
Posts: 4,934
New motorway to Dakhla...

… soon

Voie express Tiznit-Dakhla: le projet démarre – Lavieeco
Attached Thumbnails
Route Conditions and Road Closures - send updates-voie-express-tiznit-dakhla.jpg  

Reply With Quote
  #244  
Old 7 Feb 2016
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 4
Crossing ramlia

We crossed Ramlia in early October 2015 going from Taouz to Zagora. We did it after a few days of heavy rain. The river was flowing and it was a muddy affair.

We paid £10/bike for the locals in Ramlia to cross our 1200GS's to the other side. They crossed one motorcycle and then the other. This meant that we did not have to turn back and go round.

Morocans are very resourceful!

Route Conditions and Road Closures - send updates-sam_2953.jpg

Route Conditions and Road Closures - send updates-sam_2960.jpg
Reply With Quote
  #245  
Old 16 Feb 2016
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Marrakech / Morocco
Posts: 17
Snow in the mountains Feb 16

For those of you who are planning a trip or travelling in Morocco just now. In recent days we had (finally, although a bit late) some precipitation in the North and East of the country, including the Rif and Atlas.
This is picture from today morning in Ifrane. Some roads are now closed but this should not last for long.
Route Conditions and Road Closures - send updates-image1.jpg
Reply With Quote
  #246  
Old 1 Apr 2016
Contributing Vendor
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Northumberland, UK
Posts: 558
Hi All,

Tuesday, gorge south of Tounfite closed due to erosion of road by river. Driving in riverbed not possible as current too strong.
Wednesday, Agoudal - Dades closed by snow. Just passable South North as snow in downhill sections so much digging etc necessary. In the other direction no go as mud and snow prevent uphill driving/riding. Should be clear soon.
Thursday, 35C in Zagora, more to come. Off to the desert tomorrow.

Happy trails,

Peter
__________________
Atlas Overland - Specialist adventure tour company providing off-road holidays for 4x4 enthusiasts in Europe and North Africa.
Tours to Morocco, Iceland, Arctic Circle, Portugal, Alps, Pyrenees, Eastern Europe, Corsica, and UK weekend tours.
Reply With Quote
  #247  
Old 6 Apr 2016
Contributing Vendor
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Northumberland, UK
Posts: 558
Hi All,
Zagora-Foum Zguid now tar all through. Old piste getting badly beaten up in places through lack of use.
FZ-Mhamid fine across Lac Iriki. All dry and relatively smooth. Pistes now generally quiet following the usual chaos of Semana Santa. Tourist numbers down following Paris/Brussels incidents. Very few French tourists.
Zagora-Taghbalte now all tar and about to open soon.
Oued Rheris very dry yesterday with lots of feche-feche. Probably more difficult tomorrow as it's been quite windy and ruts now filled with soft sand. Could be tricky for solo travellers.
Now at Erg Chebbi, temp down to upper 20s following last week's mid/upper 30s.
As an aside, Fes tanneries have been completely renovated, now awaiting opening by the king.
Happy trails,
Peter
__________________
Atlas Overland - Specialist adventure tour company providing off-road holidays for 4x4 enthusiasts in Europe and North Africa.
Tours to Morocco, Iceland, Arctic Circle, Portugal, Alps, Pyrenees, Eastern Europe, Corsica, and UK weekend tours.
Reply With Quote
  #248  
Old 19 May 2016
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 137
I went down the Todgha-Dades off-road piste on a KTM 1190 2 days ago without actually realising what it is, or how tough it was, I just saw it there and decided to take it. It wasn't too bad on the big bike until the last approximately 3-4km by GPS. I had spent approximately 30-40 minutes in nasty dry riverbed, I got to a point where the tracks disappeared in the riverbed and I was trying to bash my own way through. I was alone, it was getting late in the day and had only 1/2 a liter of water left so I decided to turn back, I met 3 Dutch guys in 3 Land Rover discovery 4x4's about half way through the crossing on my return and I camped with them. They had Chris Scotts Moroccan handbook and showed me details about the route. It had said strictly 4x4, trail bikes and MTB, though some big BMWs had been known to get through. In the morning I decided to keep heading back to where I had entered, as I had no idea how difficult it was actually going to get. The Dutch guys offered to help me and do it as a team but I really didn't want to get stuck and have to turn back anyway even further down.

It was more or less like this when I decided to turn back


And where I was on the GPS


I am really curious as to what lay in that last section, if I could have just muscled it through or made a good decision turning back. Highly recommend it though, was a great ride until the riverbed
Reply With Quote
  #249  
Old 31 Oct 2016
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Denmark
Posts: 17
Beause of heavy rainfall in the Smara region friday and saturday the bridge north of Laayoune on the N1 and in Foum el Oued has been washed away. Wednesday it was still not possible to pass.
The road 15 km. north of Smara was also flooded, and is now under reconstruction. Today it was possible to pass with 3 hours delay, because of road work. So right now the only route south is Tan-Tan - Smara - Laayoune

Last edited by impala_dk; 2 Nov 2016 at 22:43.
Reply With Quote
  #250  
Old 1 Nov 2016
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Moossou, Grand Bassam, Cote d'Ivoire
Posts: 285
What are the options? Trying to think how to by pass that bridge ...

Any updates appreciated as always!

Thanks
Reply With Quote
  #251  
Old 5 Nov 2016
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Europe or Australia
Posts: 2
bypass via Smara

I just did bypass via Smara, about 150km extra, tarmac all the way but not very even surface, somehow managed to loose my plates, so as police suggested getting one made tonight @ laayoune ))
Reply With Quote
  #252  
Old 5 Nov 2016
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Moossou, Grand Bassam, Cote d'Ivoire
Posts: 285
Thanks, any rumours about when the bridge might be fixed?

The road via Smara must be horrific with all that traffic on it ... that's not going to make life easy!

Good luck with your plates!!!
Reply With Quote
  #253  
Old 15 Nov 2016
Gold Member
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Sheerness, Kent, UK
Posts: 91
Road is still closed apparently. I didn't know sadly! I'm at the Bedouin Camp Maroc just south.

I don't fancy the drive back to Tan Tan if i can help it for the diversion via Smara. There appears on my GPS and Google a road that follows the coast and doest use the bridge to get south of Laayoune. Just called 'Route Tarfaya - Foum El Oued'

Anyone know about this? Dirt road I'm guessing

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk
Reply With Quote
  #254  
Old 16 Nov 2016
Gold Member
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Sheerness, Kent, UK
Posts: 91
Short version to my above question: The road i mention is fine for all vehicles

Medium version: The last few km the road is poor, but fine for all vehicles. 95% of the road is old tarmac

Long version: Speaking to the police. You could follow the N1. Then before Layaane there is a 20km diversion onto the road i mention above. That 20km is iff piste though. On the road i mention i did 70mph for most of it and that was safe. Few potholes here and there but no worse than the rest of Morocco. Speed trap setup, i was warned and ok. Recommend this road over the official diversion. I suspect they want to encourage people to avoid it as traffic would be horrific in the town.

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk
Reply With Quote
  #255  
Old 19 Nov 2016
gjj gjj is offline
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Barry, South Wales , UK, or riding somewhere in Africa
Posts: 43
Came over the bridge today , all ok . Petrol available all the way to Dahkla . Crossing into Mauritania tomorrow , fingers crossed will be hassle free!
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 5 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 5 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Mongolia - Northern Route in June 2014 Up The Junction Ride Tales 6 29 Jul 2014 10:27
Route planning:- TAT seasonal weather conditions eddie pescado Route Planning 4 15 Mar 2014 12:33
VTE (Visa Touriste Entente) - route and # of entries experience?? quick help please yyz100 sub-Saharan Africa 7 11 Feb 2014 07:14
A quick but interesting Mexico route? Barcelona Pat Central America and Mexico 14 29 Sep 2012 22:05
London to Cape Town, November 2012 Tfoy97603 Travellers Seeking Travellers 56 4 Sep 2012 17:51

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Ecuador June 13-15
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 13:29.