Any update? Hoping to cross tomorrow but I’ve heard FRS aren’t running any at all


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Frs back in action. Am on it now. Not a smooth crossing. Only Tangier med open, not Tangier. Probably all ok tomorrow as forecast is improving.

Merv.

8 hours to get from Algeciras to Tanger Med last night!

Tanger Med is swamped with Campervans waiting to cross and a lot on the motorway heading up this morning


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Has anybody done MA6 recently?

I last tried in 2014 and it was blocked, keen to give it another try given the winter conditions in the High Atlas at the moment.


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I know a motorbiker posted a video of it in February:
https://youtu.be/ec93UDdBX4Q
He seemed to manage OK.

PS:if you're going via Taliouine I have something needs collecting.

That makes 2 fairly recent reports that it’s ok.

Not sure if I’ll be in Taliouine or not, sheltering from rain and more wind in Tazzarine tonight so will probably be coming from Ouarazazate to MA6

I’m guessing it’s Colin’s Saffron?


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Tizi N Test Closed after a landslide caused by heavy rain,

Rumours of significant casualties on the news

More flooding in Morocco
 

Dramatic scenes in Imil following heavy rain.

Stay safe, folks.

Peter

https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/201...south-morocco/

Thanks Peter, actually due ther next week, just shows how fragile, and quickly terrain can change.


Safe travels.

Mountains still getting hit hard. Big flooding in Tinerhir today.

On my way south atm but staying on the coast then down to the WS for a bit


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Aouinet Torkoz / Lahna - Taidalt completely sealed now, shorter and more scenic than via El Borj.

MA 1 south bound. Mashed up and hard work at 36 degrees gave up after 8km in the river bed and took MA2 down to Icht


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Looking for recent advice for these routes:
- Route from R302 (https://www.google.es/maps/@31.81555...!3m1!1e3?hl=en) to same R302 near Tilouguite (https://www.google.es/maps/@31.99448...!3m1!1e3?hl=en).
- Routes to Carrefour des Nomades, https://goo.gl/maps/yL7ekqEaUSScZgrNA.
- Route from Tabant (https://goo.gl/maps/wUUGszhNSgqMJicd7) to Kalaat M'Gouna (https://goo.gl/maps/P9WUqmRkiRxMdFJt7).

Regards

The first 2 links for the R302 don't appear to be properly formatted to show Google maps.

The Carrefour link points to a field and may be just another one of those fake promotional waypoints you get on Google maps.
The auberge of that name is in Mhamid south of Zagora, not Aït Mhamed crossroads village, 20km west of this point.

Not done the trans-Atlas route from Tabant this year but I'm sure someone has.
There have been heavy rains recently but I think only deep snow will stop you on that one, so this time of year will be fine.

R704 Dades to Agoudal currently has signs up saying its closed for construction between 8-17:00. It isn't, but maybe in a typically Moroccan fashion.

Local rumour is both that and the gorge to gorge will be asphalt soon:(

it's dry
 

A lot of usually rough pistes are in good condition at the moment because of the long dry spell - for example the Ouarzazate-Tazenacht short cut. Noticed the roadside pricky pear cacti are yellowing and dying.

I'm also told the classic Jebel Sarhro piste (MH4) is now fully sealed, as is the new high route west of Igli.

I'm told ME4 via the Korima Pass is sealed 40km out of Beni Tajite with the rest is graded and due for the same.
More Morocco Overland updates:
https://sahara-overland.com/morocco-...s-corrections/

I'm also told that doing MH13 in the book's direction, the road has collapsed before you get to the tunnel. A 4x4 won't make it.
This was last year. I imagine it unlikely to be repaired.

Peter Buitelaar and I did the track from the tunnel SW along the top of the escarpment to the P7103 on 16 February 2020, no problems, no sign of repairs either.

EDIT (18 June): If they were trying to follow the main track shown on both Olaf and OSM, I can state firmly that it is a figment of someone's imagination. Eight years ago I ended up in a series of river beds (bright red) trying to get through from the south. I later found I had actually gone a short way up the right track (green on map below) but I turned back because it was nowhere near the tracks shown on Olaf.

They'll maintain 1 route to the tunnel for access to the Phone masts at the top, been a while since I went that way so not sure which way was better used.

Also the Anergui to Cathedral piste is currently closed as the construct a new one along the route.

https://www.zroadster.net/tim/gs/IMG_1216e.jpg

I remember it well! (2006)


Do you know if the piste leading east from Anergui to Bouzmou was ever reopened?

Not that I'm aware of.

The piste from Bouzmou to about halfway between La Cathedral and Ahansal is open though. One to be careful of if the weather is bad or has been recently.

I managed the piste along the river to Tana, ok in 2014, longer ago than I thought since I went to the tunnel

Hi, it was me who dropped you the message Chris. You are right about the confusion to tana, but I made it there OK. The problem lay further along whilst just above the tree line. Unfortunately I was using maps.me so I don't have the waypoints where the road was cut. I have Google and bing aerialed it and I have narrowed it down to a couple of positions, most likely was 32.1583323, -4.9531982 hopefully if the current situation gets better I would like to get out again either November or Feb. This time I'll be approaching from the North just to be sure I get to see it this time....

A friend did the tunnel piste today, said its getting more difficult but there is a detour around the blockage

Landslide on R704 - Dades Gorge
 

Landslide in the Dades Gorge. https://www.facebook.com/19581610075...?sfnsn=scwspwa

I was due to arrive last night or today, Given the landslides, heavy snow fall and serious flooding reported today it would have been an interesting start to spring

MH7 road construction/improvements to the piste.

Photo from a few weeks ago around KM71, the tricky rough gorge east of Askaoun. Report is 2nd hand but they also reported a blockage further west and had to detour via Ammasine.

Theres been a blockage there for a while although its been a couple of years since I last drove the whole route. Report came froma camper van driver so I assume the washouts at KM76 have been improved as a result of the works

That is a big improvement. I hope it lasts as that mini gorge is clearly a funnel.
This is KM71 in 2017, only 7km out of Askaoun but over 30 to the other side.
The second pic was looking back (west).

Route news (October 2021)
 

MS1 Tafetchna
Only 14km of piste through the gorge from Tafetchna to Touna Niaraben where, if you want, tarmac leads south 25km to Beni Zoli and a bridge over the Draa to the N9 12km north of first Zagora fuel.

Kelaa/Boumalne Dades N10 bypass (41km)
At a roundabout about 35km west of Skoura, a new bypass cuts 41km south of the Dades and across the stony desert to another roundabout at the east end of Dades, by a Shell.
It’s a fast, traffic- and village-free alternative to the congested N10 around Kelaa; you can whizz through in less than half an hour. Google maps try and route you onto this now and on this occasion, they're right.

https://saharaoverland.files.wordpre...10/kellaby.jpg

Jebel Saghro MH4
As we know, the classic Tizi N Tazazart Jebel Sargho crossing was sealed in 2019. What took up to half a day from the Iknioun turn-off now takes just 35 minutes, through car or bike, it’s still an epic crossing, especially southbound.

Jebel Saghro MH23
MH14 and 15 remain a couple of great all-dirt crossings of western Saghro. And another, much less gnarly haul piste (blue, below) now starts opposite the Afriquia at the west end of Nekob and rises to run along MH14/15 for 9km down to the Tagmout basin. Here you need to get on the right track heading west over a col. MH23 crosses several more epic passes linked by axle-ground switchbacks to the vicinity of Bou Skoura mine where things ease up.
Back on the N10, there’s an Inov roadhouse just to the east.
It's 104km fuel-to-fuel.
https://sahara-overland.com/2021/10/...ghro-crossing/

https://saharaoverland.files.wordpre...2021/10/23.jpg

Other route news passed on by Noureddine at Loc:
• The once fashionable Mhamid – Tamtatouche track (MH3; 45km) is nearly halfway to getting sealed. You do wonder why they’re bothering.
• Less surprisingly the Agoudal – Tilmi High Atlas crossing (MH1) is getting the same treatment.
• The 45km section of piste between Ouarzazate west to Tazenacht (via Fint; MS14) is also now sealed (and they’ve finally started building houses on that residential development at the north end).
• They're improving the piste or making a road between Tighedouine (on the Zerkten detour off the N9 Tichka road) over to Ourika. I noted the new cutting on the other side of the valley when passing that way the other day.

Zerkten bypass

Route MH3
 

More news on MH3 (800GS in September)

We did the MH3 gorge-to-gorge route from West (Tamtattouche) to East (Akedim Msemrir). The beginning and ending of the road are under active construction. Road at these points is still dirt but is flat and wide (Be aware of heavy rains, they can create deep mud). The rest is gravel but easily doable with our bikes.
There is a diversion of the road on the east end as so waypoint at MH3KM003 is outdated. Instead, according to my GPS, waypoint "31.71325° N, 5.80357° W" can be used, but - all in all - the track is visible with the eye.

MS8 riding west - still blocked?
 

Does anyone know if MS8 going west off Mhamid is still blocked by the military? The last report I could find on this is more than 2 years old, so was wondering if anyone tried their luck more recently?

Group of 7 traveling in October; would like to get to Tata on this route to soak up this part of the desert. We are riding dirtbikes with larger tanks and some spare petrol in bladders so range is ok.

Anyone attempted this route recently?

Thanks in advance.:palm:

I’m not aware of any recent updates. COVID restrictions limited people trying.

The area is a restricted military zone and the only people I know of who got through have had official permission as part of the big off road rallies.

My attempts have met with being turned back at the checkpoint east of KM256 when heading west and also just south of km299 when trying the route heading east. On the eastbound attempt we tried to skirt around the checkpoint but soon got stopped at another one a few km later.

If you get turned back heading west it’s usually south of Tissant. Frustrating that all the checkpoints upto there let you through if you say you are heading to Tata. From the checkpoint I got stopped at heading west I got a military escort to ensure I went back north.

Thank you for the reply. We will navigate the route south of the Erg up until lake Iriki and the bail out north to Foum Zguid.

You can cross Lac Iriki,which is a highlight,and proceed West through the next check to a point on a major Wadi South of Mrimina where you can turn North onto the main road a few km away. You may even be permitted to go a bit further West but you will eventually be turned out North with firm politeness. Best bet is to be flexible keep going until you are stopped somewhere West of Iriki.:scooter:

Routes and other news
 

Hi Folks,

Back in Morocco after 3 years. Here’s the news so far:

Ferries. Ticket from Carlos as usual but he now takes card and online payments. €250 4x4 plus 1or2 pax.

On board - usual white form for passport stamp & CIN.
COVID. Printed off and completed COVID entry registration form. Was never asked for it nor COVID pass not proof of vax, etc.

On arrival. Usual procedure. Only our four 4x4s on the boat plus a few local so through customs in 15 mins.

Insurance. Still 950MAD or 95€ for 1 month.

Routes. TangerMed to Tetouan. Tetouan south ring road complete and first 20km of N2 towards Chefchaouan now wide and fast. . No more sitting behind grindingly slow trucks.

Road building/improvements. Everywhere! N8 south of Fes up to Imouzzer Kandar is wide and fast until just before the town.
Centre of Ifrane around cafes now pedestrianised - not much parking.
N13 south of Azrou. Widened and resurfaced. Local drivers discover warp speed.
New solar farm and plantations under construction wears for Zaida, so old post towards Aouli mine now extinguished.
Midelt - Imilchil. RP7318 at Ali Ben Izguen. Reservoir now filled so the old bridge/river crossing is now underwater. Fast road over the barrage and W towards Tounfite the only option.
Agoudal - Tilmi. Piste from Agoudal to summit now all wide, fast blacktop. Up to the top in about 25mins. Shame, as that was a lovely piste. Thankfully, from the summit down to Tilmi is still narrow and twisty.
.
Fes. Camping Diamant Vert is OPEN, despite the rumours. Seems to be under new ownership.

Generally, few 4x4/motors so far although most rallies seem to be going ahead.

Zagora tomorrow!

Happy trails,

Peter

My updates from the last fortnight with cars and then bikes.
Not driven a fourbie in nearly 15 years. They now make diesel autos!

Road-widening works creeping down the N9 to Marrakech, but not so much on the south side to Ozt (I rarely do this full N9 transit).

Roadside fuel bowser in Zerkten in the N9 (20% over normal price) and they're building a station in Telouet.

MS14 Ozt > Tazenacht now sealed.
Looking for off road locations in this area, we blundered westwards down a track which I later realised was about a km after the turn off for Imidar (30.78954, -7.06621; Imidere on Google) but a separate parallel track to the south via no villages.
Nothing special, but we then came across MH9 from the south at a piste crossroads about 1.5km west of MH9 KM28.5 high point. We then turned west onto MH9.
I've not bothered re-doing this short route since I rode it in 2008, but as options lessen in this area it's actually quite fun following the riverbeds in a 4x4; maybe not a full-dress GS12.

MH6
Did loads of scrapping and banging coming down this in the rental Prado TX (5kph for 2 hours), but I feel any deterioration had stabilised or is adequately repaired by passing 4x4 tourists. The tricky tributary crossings towards the bottom have improved, though once over the main oued you have to re-enter it around a wash out. The rest of the valley westwards is fine (in a car). Subsequent recces after I left the 4x4 group revealed loads more in this region south and west of Issil plain.

MH20
The short, steep climb up to the 2200-m Tizi n Oulaoune (30.940222, -8.125111) off-road High Atlas crossing was in unusually good shape; we'll ride up it later this week. I realise that from the pass that is Toubkal mountain visible to the northeast.

MA9
They have finally started asphalting at the west end of the 53-km desert track to Tlite junction. Service tracks round the roadworks about 10-20km in have gotten a little feche-fechey from over-use, so a bit tricky for bikes.

MH23 as good as ever.

Loads more tourists around for what is normally a quiet time of year. Hottest early November I've known - today 30 in Marrakech and will be again in a few days. Cooler south of the Atlas.

Tarmac now extends south from Taouz to Ksar Jdeid. Beginning of this week was the grand opening for work on the next section onward to Ouzina and Ramlia. Won’t be long before it ties up to Tafraoute Sidi Ali and on to the the road into Zagora.

First time I’ve driven the main piste from Ouzina to Sidi Ali in years and god it’s bad now. So many better options in the area.

Ring road through Agadir has been improved with underpasses and there’s a big new Carrefour complete with alcohol, pork sections and a sushi bar.

I’ve spent much of the last 8 weeks south of the Atlas with the Rally Du Maroc and then our Pizzas on the Piste Overlander Meet-up so haven’t checked many old routes.

I have found time for a lot of exploring of the new pistes that have popped up along with some old ones that haven’t been mapped. Found some real gems so despite the speed of the asphalt expansion there is still a lot for the more adventurous!

@Chris did you mean MA6 or MH6? Some friends tried MA6 from the south early October but got beaten back by severe flash floods. When I last did it in 2019 it was almost impassable in a 4x4 and a few days later a Landcruiser rolled on one of the wash outs

Thanks for updates, Mark. I agree, definitely loads of great pistes left south of the Atlas besides over-rated MS6 and despite the asphalt tsumani.

I meant MA6, Jebel Timouka - southbound.
I can't recall anywhere a washout might roll a car; it's just slow going over the 'babyheads', helped with marshalling to limit contact, when needed. The tricky tributary crossing (KM59) had two ways across and is comparatively easy. With the right clearance and guidance, it's still a great piste.
After you cross the main oued (KM59) at the bottom there is a point 30°12'58.02"N 7°22'38.72"W where you now have to steeply drop back down into th riverbed for a bit as the track above is washed away.

I was told MA7 is in good shape too, as are other ways out of the Issil plain

It was the washout at KM59 that was bad when I did it last in May 2019. I met a German couple at the Col how had to sleep on the piste overnight because their progress was so slow. Some time after I did the route a 79 series Landcruiser rolled on the washout.

Very good to hear it’s in better condition now, it’s one of my favourites

First time I did it with bikes we were also caught out in the dark before the Col. had to leave a bike up there.
I'd wrongly assumed it would be the same shape as 2 years earlier in a Mazda pickup.
Since then I understood the nature of [locally] abandoned pistes.

The old Ziz at Ait Herbil junction has closed down. But there is a new, very expensive station in Fam El Hisn.

MW6 no change really. Tarmac still stops at Labourirat. Road south from Assa to Zag has a new surface and is wider. The Sandy Oued was more gravel today.

Checkpoints into Smara have doubled there’s now a DGSN and a Gendarmerie checkpoint a few km apart. Last time I was here in 2019 they didn’t take our details now it’s back to all the info including whether we have hotel reservations for tonight

just a quick one very very busy route ....... ( never seen it mentioned on here )
How many people who travel to maroc go to Inezgane ( south of agadier )
Its ... shall we say a scruffy moroc town with a massive transport hub .
and the most amazing scrap yard selling most things .......... worth a look for 1 day !

Tropic of Cancer to Boujdour and the much reported 4 lane road widening isn’t very apparent. But it is smoother and wider than 2019.

Only police checkpoints were at Dakhla junction and just outside Boujdour where one of the police was asking for beer, sunglasses, torches etc. but it’s always been a questionable crew at that one.

Huge numbers of tourists in the road. Banger Rally, Classic car rally big group of motorbikes, some overlanders and a dozen or so campervans. Never seen it so busy that far south.

R704 from Agoudal
 

New road from Agoudal to Dades Gorge is being build. On googlemaps its number is R704. Last year ( september 2021), construction ended in the Col du Ouano pass and I think it will be asphalted already.

Quick Report of a trip on the first 10 days of Dec22 on a BMW GS 310:
 

Quick Report of a trip on the first 10 days of Dec22 on a BMW GS 310:

- Skoura to Nkob through the Djebel Saghro (Chris Scott's MH23): amazing and easy trail! (Thanks for highlighting @Chris Scott)

You can follow my track on the wikiloc link below:
https://fr.wikiloc.com/itineraires-m...jgal-120430340

I spent the previous night at the very nice Kasbah AitBenhadda (swimming pool, no booze served) which is 3 km away from the start of the trail

If you want to see what to expect, have a look at my video below:
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CmmUU...d=MDJmNzVkMjY=

Quick Report of a trip on the first 10 days of Dec22 on a BMW GS 310(2):
 

- Foum Zguid to Taliouine through the Djebel Timkouka:
This is mostly Chris Scott's MA7 except a personal (and quite rocky :sweatdrop:) part from Issil to Asgherkisse

Amazing views, it is fully tarmac between Foum Zguid & Amtezguine, and then after the Djebel between Asgherkisse and Taliouine.
A light motorcycle will definitly be faster than a car on this one as the trail is quite narrow...
Otherwise the track was in good condition early Dec22

Wikiloc track below:
https://fr.wikiloc.com/itineraires-m...uine-120516054

Video below if you want to see what to expect :) :
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CmwbQ...d=MDJmNzVkMjY=

View of the Issil Plain below:

Quick Report of a trip on the first 10 days of Dec22 on a BMW GS 310(3):
 

- Taliouine to Tata through the Oasis d'Aguinane:

50% road 50% trail

Trail starts 30 km South East of Taliouine on the road P1743, after crossing some arid Djebels, the trail leads you to the spectacular Oasis d'Aguinane, the trail then gets into the Palmeraie

Track is in good condition (Dec22) and there are no particular difficulties, it gets pretty narrow, twisty and vertiginous when you get to Oasis d'Aguinane (see video below)
You are then back on the road until a fast trail between Tagant and Akka Iguirene.

Wikiloc track:
https://fr.wikiloc.com/itineraires-m...tata-120621108

Video:
https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cm4d-...d=MDJmNzVkMjY=

Quick Report of a trip on the first 10 days of Dec22 on a BMW GS 310(4):
 

- Foum El Hassan to Assa through the Djebel Bani:

Another great trail in an arid landscape in between the Djebel Bani and the acacia trees!

Route finding is easy, leaving the N12, you start in the dry oued at the exit of Foum el Hassan, and you then leave the Jebel Bani on your South for 60 kms.
Eventually you join back the N12 22km North-East of Assa.

Some sections of this trail can be quite fast, some are rockier and slower.

Borj Biramane in Icht is a great place to stay, Phlippe the owner is very nice and does good mojitos! ;)

Wikiloc track:
https://fr.wikiloc.com/itineraires-m...assa-120818759

Video:
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CmEED...d=MDJmNzVkMjY=

Hello!
Can someone give me advice for changing tires. We are coming from Barcelona to get the ferry to Tanger so we can change them in Spain (late as possible) or after we get in Morocco. Do you have some recommendation?

High Atlas passes closed
 

Lot of rain in Mk these last few days, all the way down to Foum Zguid and with snow higher up. We were snowed off at only 1850m in the Anti Atlas on the Assaragh-Agadir Melloul road (pic), let alone the High Atlas.
So not surprisingly Test and Tichka closed today; the only way north is round the Adadir motorway.
I suppose they will plough Tichka by tomorrow. Don't know about Test or other minor HA passes.
Seems to be clearing by the weekend.

I think all routes across the High Atlas are closed with only the Ziz Gorge and the coast road open at the moment.

Motorway is partially open on a convoy system and no trailers allowed

Agadir motorway was normal today (apart from lane closures).
I just heard that ferries are suspended too - or Tarifa at least.

What is the state website to check pass status - gendarmerie something?

[actually I am told by the fixer it's a waste of time; best info is ask a local]

Pass as in Mountain Pass?

The MARoute app has details of the road closures from snow, flood and construction

I am Essaouira in heavy rain.was going to Tafroute in a few days but may now change.Thanks gents.

Weather alerts in place for the next 48hrs. I'd stay in Essaouira a few days, some of the flooding in the south is severe

thanks, got it now.
came the long way round to Taliouine but just met a biker who rode over Test on a 750 rental. 'Only' shin deep but maroute says closed.
clearly no one stopped him.

Just been shown a vid from Assaragh this afternoon, running like this vid from 2018: https://sahara-overland.com/2023/01/...cade-in-spate/

It's like a spill or a tsunami; flows through the landscape and out onto the desert; gone in a couple of days.

Photos yesterday of Oued Rheris flooded and impassable along with Lac Maider and around Tafraoute Sidi Ali

Also saw people at the campsites in Foum Zguid posting that the police had advised them not to leave due to flooding the night before.

Worst of the weather seems to be over now though

True, all drying out but the damage is done.
Can across three cut roads/tracks today, and that was before lunchtime.
In FZ now, access from Tata is fine and may north too.

I was hoping east end up to Chebbi might have got it less bad but doesnt sound like it.

I'd give Lake Maider a week or two; don't ask us how we know...
Or at least eastbound, don't head direct for Sidi Ali (the way I recall) you won't make it (yet).

Not been this way for many, many years but a track I didn't know runs along the stony jebel-side south of the claypan and by the look of it, big bikes were coming from the east (along the next valley south of MS6?) not spattered in clay which suggests Remlia crossing is open.

Blockage on the Cirque Jaffar at 32.53868, -4.89918, its 2nd hand info but this is reported to be the southern piste of the Jaffar.

Run down to Dades from Agoudal is open ok after being closed due to ice/snow last week

Chris Scott's MH19 & 17 - conditions and general difficulty query
 

Hi All,

Hoping to combine Chris Scott's MH19 and MH17 route to travel from Alemdoun to Marrakesh via Demnate at end of April. It's obviously too early to say specifically what the conditions will be, but a general idea of what to expect would be good.

Planning to stay in Boumalne Dades or thereabouts then drive to Ait Bouguemaze on M19, overnight there, then join M17 towards Marrakesh the following day.

Car is an absolutely stock Subaru XV. Is the above a reasonable plan?

Let me know if I would be better off posting this as a fresh thread.

Many thanks,

Matt

Drove Alemdoun to Tabant yesterday.

Despite previous reports it’s not all tarmac but only 20-30km unsurfaced. Easy to get through

Ah, that's actually kind of a shame. I thought there was a longer stretch of dirt.

Many thanks for the update.

Matt

It’s still the best route across the atlas. Even the route from Agoudal down into the Dades gorge only has a short section of piste now

R704 fully paved?
 

Sorry for asking in this tread - kinda relevant but I do not know answer - I am hearing R704 is fully or almost fully paved? Is it so? Just want to do some time scheduling for our trip starting may 3rd and it will have impact on planning.
Thank you.

Peter Buitelaar (who lives in Morocco) reported last year that he observed the route was being re-engineered and that he had been told it would be asphalted, but the last I heard from a month or so back, the asphalting hadn't taken place.

Tim,
Much appreciated as always!

Other posts somewhere here say it's sealed from Agoudal to the pass - down to Tilmi still dirt.

Yes, you are right, just checked with this video from a couple of months ago, (timed to start at Agoudal heading south)

Looking for advice on R302 (MH18) from Tilouguite to Zaouiat Ahansal.
Last time I was there it 2019 it was under construction.
May be now all tarmac?


Thanks!

I am an idiot. I literally watched it last week and did not realize it is where we will be passing. Thank you for posting it.

According to someone I know who was there like 2 months ago (not motorcyclist, local) it was like "almost all" sealed, thou he spoke about whole road, not just this section. He said at the top was a little bit of gravel prepared for sealing already. Again, my french is as bad as his english so I hope I understood him correctly :)

Tizi N Ouano to the bottoms is still piste but they are working on it so you may get stuck behind the work gangs.

Kelaat Mgouna to Tabant is almost all sealed now. Maybe 20km pistes.

Both driven last week

Lac Maider still flooded and very muddy. But lots of flowers and wildlife. Bypass it too the south

Thanks all!

I think it would be a good practice to ask locals @Agoudal before entering Tizi N'Ouano pass track, just in case it's temporary closed.

May be after Easter will got some fresh updates of R302.

R302 is fine between Tabant and La Cathdrale. About 20km of easy piste from Ahansal but all asphalt otherwise

thank you!

Updates to MH7, MH8 and MA13 right here:
https://sahara-overland.com/morocco-...s-corrections/

https://saharaoverland.files.wordpre.../mh8-pass.jpeg

First of all I want to say big thanks to Chris and Tim for info. The route MZ1 Nkob to Skoura was fantastic experience. The route "light" at coast was great. Same goes for R704 that still not fully paved, just one side up to the top. Accidentally we also discovered fantastic and VERY hard to find location in Tazzeka national park. Ended up in auberge which is just in very very remote totally traditional Berber village with rather basic facilities. But great hosts and fantastic food. Had to ask for directions hundred times but we found it. First wide hard pack road then literally small tracks via forests and hillsides. Worth it. Now team decided to chill out a bit and take day break at surfers settlement in Sidi Kaouki. Tomorrow we will figure our way back towards Tanger.

Hi! Just found this forum after our trip two weeks ago.
We did MS12 - MS6 - MS8 from Chris' book back to back in 2 4x4s.

MS12 is still a beautiful drive, piste is in good condition, tiny bit of sand but piste is still findable even without gps. The oued crossing was very chill, but that's to be expected in the summer I guess. There's a nice rocky shortcut to/from Merzouga at the end that avoids the tarmac that goes South/North there.

MS6 was a fairly easy ride as well, at least in a 4x4. It was very dead though.

MS8 was generally easy going as well, we took the original entry route and the pistes were mostly fully sanded in, wayfinding was quite fun, wouldn't recommend without gps though.
However, we were also turned around shortly before Tata and told to directly drive North to the Tarmac. Not sure if it is a general thing or because it was in the evening, but military presence was very high and we were escorted out when we took a wrong turn away from the route to the tarmac. Can share tracks etc if anyone is interested.

We only ever met two Italian 4x4s in the whole time we were there, so very calm and lonely.

All on all a nice trip through the desert, even in 45°C+. Definitely doable in summer and the heat with no AC in the cars makes for a nice desert feeling...at least that's what we tell ourselves.

Unfortunately didn't manage to do MW6 due to time limit.

MH7 Askouan to Ammasine is only passable for vehicles smaller than a 4x4.

Several large rocks on the track yet to be cleared after the earthquake.

I rode MH7 today and counted 4 constrictions (rocks on each side or one big one in the middle). Where the granite is friable it's been hammered at to widen the gap. I suppose eventually they will all go, but what looked like the narrowest gap (top pic) is the 1st/last one, just a couple of miles out of Amassine, so in a Humvee best to start from that end.

If you can't fit, back up then carry on along the road NW from Amassine to 30.82878, -7.6068 (hairpin armco) and follow the track SW to rejoin MH7 in about 7km at 30.78997, -7.64624 - about 20km from Askaoun.
It appears as no more than a donkey trail on some maps and faint of the aerials, but regular vans serve the villages (Tilemsine?) from both ends and no earthquake debris.

Lots of flooding across the south today.

Saturady was our 2nd Pizzas on the Piste and 3 groups from the event are around Chegaga today heading west. We took the piste along the north edge of the Erg and turned back after meeting rising flood water on the track. Another guy took the south side and got blocked on the edge or Iriki. A Dutch couple reported water upto the windows somewhere north of the Erg but not 100% sure on location.

Other contacts reported big flooding around Tinghir and Er Rachidia

Amazing to see Route ZR1 (Nekob - Skoura, 100km) deteriorating month by month for motos, as mining truck axles grind the bends into powder and with no rain to wash it away.
We came back along part of the western arm to Tagmout, and every bend of consequence in now 6 inches + deep with bull dust. Even the col just west of Tagmout is thick with powder, and it's not even a bend!
It's more manageable than churned up soft sand or deep gravel, but still breaks the rhythm of a ride, having to paddle or wrestle the bike every few 100 metres. Shame, as the scenery is great up to KM70.
We came out via MH14 north towards Kelaa – not done it for years but a much nicer ride the flows all the way down. Did it again today going back in. Could be a better ride over Saghro, especially on a big bike with road tyres.
The first half of MZ1 is similarly dust bound, but the bends are bigger and fewer.
In a car none of this is a problem of course, just loads of dust.

Did Gorge to Gorge (G2G; MH3) first time since the 90s. Now only 18km of good piste in the middle, either side of the defile. When I think back to the aggro that once over-popular route aroused in the bad old days, with false guides at each end.
I noted a big new dam between Tamtatoucht and Todra Gorge.
That should put an end to flooding ripping up the narrow gorge section.

Also did the Kelaa-Tabant High Atlas crossing (MH19).
A couple of kms dirt south of Ait Hamad pass with loose switchbacks.
And the same 10-km long dirt ascent from just after the ford to the top of Ait Imi pass.

And also just did nearly the full length of MH1 from Tounfit to Dades gorge.
Much of the mountain road to the Imilchil N12 junction becomes potholed or has lost its asphalt altogether (especially over 2200m) and so resembles the piste before they started building the road 25 years ago.
At the Tounfit end they are putting big new bridges in.
The 2900-m Ouano pass is sealed 22km from Agoudal to the summit (the best bit of road I rode on all day). From there is rough with diggers and then just plain rough and narrow, 16km down to the auberge and the Tilmi road - which is pretty patchy for 21km until the G2G junction.
They are inching their way down the south side from the top, widening the track as they go, but I'd say even though they were still chipping away at 6pm, it will take them the rest of the year, let alone redoing the current road from Tilmi to G2G.

Tizi N'Test
 

Hi everyone!

Has anyone been through the Tizi N'Test recently, after the earthquake?

Is it open these days?

Thanks

It was open not very long after and remains so, but devastation all around, especially on the north side. You will be shocked.
They built a new fuel station at Ijoukak/Talat n Yacoub, even if Talat village is no more.

Just did MH9 for the first time in donkey's years.
Much nicer than I recall. Still has the odd, 10km section of piste west of Nkob, but looks like roadworks are planned to link it up.
Nice route if not in a hurry between Tazenacht and Taliouine, especially if you take the 7km exclusion to Tisgui aït Oubial up over 2000m, and the amazing agadir there. Narrow and gets steep,
The nearby Tislite gorge (rounded rock formations; 3km south of the road) is less interesting.

I did MA7 today, N-S.
Apart from the Issil and Amtazguine palmerie ends, they’re most of the way through massively widening this piste, installing fords and cutting new alignments. JHammering away just a few km from Amtazguine where the old tarmac resumes. Apart from the new line of pylons (from Nour plant?), you do wonder why, but this is happening all over.

I also did MS13 (via an alternative start near Foum el Oued). No change to the fun piste section to Bleida, and next day found a direct route to Agdz through the range.

MH4, MS 7, and Zagora mechanics
 

Not sure if any of this has already been mentioned further up the thread, but in the last few days we’ve done the above mentioned routes.
MH4 is completely tarmac, with some great views. It would be loads of fun on a motorbike if you enjoy wiggly mountain roads with generally good surface (who doesn’t?).
MS7 is, so far, the only route from the book that we’ve tried which is still piste.
Loads and loads of corrugations and stone fields, and on the eastern end of the route lots of soft sand and small dunes. It took us well over the half day stated but the truck is a slow old thing at the best of times, and we stopped to meet people several times, all of whom were super welcoming and friendly.
Big shout out to Abdolah and his colleague, who seemed to be Iriqi park rangers and invited us for tea. Genuinely lovely people.
On getting close to Mhamid at the end of the route we were stopped by a local guide in a Land Cruiser so he could direct us to his friends garage in Zagora. Despite us not needing any work done.
2 days later when we did go to Zagora there was a chap on a scooter with pictures of our truck on his phone waiting to flag us down and take us to said garage. Despite us not needing any work done.
These guys are pretty over active at touting for business. Probably great if you need something done but otherwise a bit OTT and more like the overly commercial side of Morocco.
Overall the desert was a brilliant experience, mainly due to the people we met.

Certain mechanics in Zagora have reverted to the appalling bad business tactics of 10 years ago since Covid.

From your description I’m pretty certain which garage you refer to. They’ve sent me some rather unpleasant dm’s over the last few months just because someone asked a member in one of the Facebook groups I run how much they charged for some work!!

Thanks for the update. MS7 westside is a shocker, even with modern suspension.
Last March we combined MS77 with MS8 using the white link tracks on the p142 map. Much nicer way of doing that crossing.

Very diplomatically put. Saw the same happen in an Mk vid the other day. Maybe the same garage.

At the same time,for less experienced people,it can be quite fun to be buzzed into Zagora by a young lunatic on a scooter trying to sell you something you don't need.And if you do decide to visit one of the two garages suspected,you can enjoy a cup of tea in his brothers tourist shop next door whilst also being relieved of some Dirhams to buy Babouche,turbans and hippy pants that will endear you to your friends and rellies when you get home.
It's all part of the Maroc experience so my advice to others is to relax and enjoy it.
On a more serious note,both establishments do turn out some perfectly acceptable work if you have been over enthusiastic off-road or,have choked all the greasy bits with dust.bier

You’d be shocked at some of the stories from the last 18months about the Zagora mechanics. With at least 1 instance the police ended up getting involved….

Very heavy thunderstorms in the south this last week, from Foum el Hassan (over a dozen missing up the Ait Herbil valley) to Boumalne Dades and even Figuig.

Half a year's rain in 2 days they say... this, after a record hot summer.

https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/202...issing-persons

Lac Iriki is underwater and will likely remain a swamp for a few weeks, Foum Mharech was a flowing river yesterday. Multiple road closures across the south from Tata to Figuig.

I've never seen such a prolonged period of heavy rain and flooding across such a wide area in Morocco. Flooding around Laayoune and Smara was reported 3 weeks ago!!

Also very wet further south in the desert and Sahel, I read.
The ITC has shifted.
https://www.thetimes.com/article/432...d0995a29e36ffa

Draa river in full flow under the new bridge at Zagora. The plain to the W of Erg Chebbi is now a lake. Oued Rheris will be a very difficult crossing. Many pisé mud houses in rural areas are collapsing due to the amount of rainfall.
Water’s desperately needed but Moroccan folks a facing tough times again due to the elements.

The intense storms continue. List of damaged main roads spreading right across the south, but especially bad in Tata:
N7 Taroudant – Tata.
N9 Ouarzazate – Zagora
N10 Ouarzazate – Tinghir and Errachidia – Bouananeon
N14 Smara – Jdiriya
N15 Guercif, Outat El Haj – Midelt
N17 Tata – Zagora
RN103 Assa-Zag – Al Mahbès.
RN111 Tata – Ouarzazate
RN307 Skoura – Ghassate
RN708 Gourrama – Beni Tajjite.

Source

The reported flow rates in Oued Tata and Zguid is astonishingly. It’s certainly going to take a while to dry out.

I’m currently in the North and have never seen so much water and it’s so green it’s more like spring than last spring was.

Not many adventurous travellers here but give it a week and they autumn crowd will start to arrive and more route reports with it.

'Dramatic images show the first floods in the Sahara in half a century
More than year’s worth of rain fell in two days in south-east Morocco, filling up lake that had been dry for decades'

https://www.theguardian.com/environm...half-a-century