Route Conditions and Road Closures - send updates
 

I am travelling to Morocco in February and have planned a route that takes in the mountains and the desert. Is MH1 - Midelt to Boumalde Dades a viable option for this time of the year? Or is it likely to be impassable because of snow or mud? I did Ait Hani - Agoudal - BD in April of 2009 and part of the track between Agoudal and Tizi N Ouano was blocked with snow (land slide) requiring a cross country detour. Has anyone been out that way recently? What are conditions like this year?

Also, what is the state of the state of the desert pistes MS6, MS8 and MW6? Is there flooding on the dried out lake beds and oueds?

It'll be cold, cold, cold!
 

Hi Richard,

In Feb, there'll be plenty snow at altitude. MH1 is mostly tarmac/graded between Midelt and Imilchil and is now a main route servicing the villages and therefore cleared regularly.

From Agoudal to Msemir it's piste and likely to remain so. As you'll have seen on your last visit, this section is very exposed and is often snow-bound.

We did MS6,7 & 8 in October and again in November. In October Lac Iriki, Lac Maider and Oued Rheris were all impassable due to flooding. Two weeks later, they were fine.

There's been crazy weather in Morocco recently, so best advice is to ask around when you get there and remember that there's always a way around.

Happy trails,

Jojo

Cold it will be.

So most of MH1 should be doable. If there are problems on the Agoudal to Msemir piste, I'll come down the Ait Hani way, which I believe is also main route?? - it was being worked on in 2009.

wrt the Lacs, we see when we get there. I got stuck in mud last time round.

thanks

Reinhard

Fun In Feb.
 

Hi Richard,

Yes, virtually all of the piste from Agoudal to Todra is tarmac. Last time I was over Tizi Tinerhouzine it was wide and graded. The old track down from the top of the pass was still driveable though but I'm not sure I'd want to do it if there's ice about as the drops are humungous!

If Lac Iriki is flooded you can take the piste running along the base of Jebel Bani (locals call it the "mountain piste". It's flat but really rocky and tough on suspension.

If Lac Maider is flooded there's a piste that swings south and around to rejoin the main piste.

If Oued Rheris is flooded just keep heading north and you should be able to find a crossing point at the neck of the oued.

HTH, happy trails,

Jojo

Ms6
 

Dear Reinhard, I rode MS6 Merzouga-Mahmid and back on the 2nd week of November2011 and it seems we were lucky enough because then there was no flood at all.

I understood that you plan is to ride those pistes in February? Someone here will know better than me but I wonder if in that time of the year there is more risk of rain and ice melting and hence flooded oueds.

My photos:
Panoramio - Photos by LMCabrita > MS6 - Merzouga Mahmid
Panoramio - Photos by LMCabrita > MS6 - Mahmid Merzouga

My updates and further feedback here:
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...9-2#post356122

BR,
Luis Cabrita

Reinhard,
What date will you be there? I will be crossing from Spain to Morocco on February 27. I had booked a trip with Waypoint tours, but this has now been cancelled due to lack of numbers. So I am now in route planning mode.
Charlie

Hi Jojo,

Shame about the tarmac between Agoudal - Todra. It was still work in progress when I went through there last. I guess the locals need tarmac roads more than we need gravel road or trails. The views will still be there.

The alternative routes are noted - thanks.

R

Hi Cabrita

I had done MS6 in 2009 after the very wet winter and you had to be way of mud on the Lac. We'll see how it turns out this time.

thanks

R

Hi Bigchaser,

My trip is earlier - I should be back by the time you leave.

R

I'm in a similar situation to Richard. Considering a visit to Morocco by bike (KTM Adventure) in the first week of February. It's very short notice and it would be my first visit to Morocco with a bike.

I could really use some advice on the likely conditions and where is feasible to visit for me to make the best of the trip.

If even the 'iconic' routes / waypoints like the Dades and Todra, Ait Benhaddou & Tizi N Tichka are likely to have snow issues, am I dopey for even thinking about it? I don't want to go all that way to just end up cruising on motorways!!

there should be plenty of advice regarding conditions on the forum; keep south of the Atlas and you won't be dissapointed...

Any information on Route MA2: Aït Herbil - Tafraoute ? on the book's website it says its closed thanks to a landslide.


Tito

I´ve just come from Morocco and High Atlas seems not to have too much snow. This year there has been only a little bit rain in Morocco.

That is good news Pera - many thanks. Looking forward to getting out there.

The photos here are from Sep 2010. I would have hoped the road would have been cleared by now. The landslide is towards the northern end of the valley of Assif n’Smouguene, suggest you contact Gite Igmire (which is about 1km away from where the landslide happened) for the current situation.

If you are coming from the south there's an alternative route--fork right up the valley of Assif n’Int about 10-15km before the landslide. I had to do this route (about 35km) at nightime, so life was interesting. Came across the two biggest wildboar I've ever seen which was a bit disconcerting when they loomed up in the headlight.

Litle rain is good news for me since I plan to visit lake Iriki , hopefully it will be dry and not muddy. The downside is that it might be a hot April month.

Tim, thanks for the info, that's one big landslide, a real shame since the route looks really nice judging by the pics.

What is "Gite Igmire" ? tryed to google it, but nothing meaninfull came out :(

I'll try to check the detour you mention on the maps I have available.

Tito

It's the gite d'etape (staging post) in the village of Igmir, see www. giteigmir.com
email: contact@giteigmir.com
GPS N29 20.036 W9 00.146

The junction where you fork right is at N29 14.780 W8 58.923

staging post is like a guest house ?

Sorry, that was a sort of literal translation.

Normally a gite in Morocco is a house where the owner works full time at some other business (e.g. farmer) and has some rooms in an annex separate from the family area that are rented out. The point being that the guesthouse is a sideline, and the family isn't dependent upon guests for their livelihood.

Gites are very basic, mattress on floor with blankets, shower and toilet in the corridor. Because they are in rural areas away from restaurants the overnight rate is normally half board (dinner, bed, breakfast) and typically 100-150dh per person per night. You can see some pics of another gite here.

Some routes have lots of gites, for example the now mainly tarmac route between Midelt and Imilchil has four gites in the space of 80km. Although clean sheets are often provided, I travel with a silk sleeping bag liner to use.

Tim thanks for the info, it's the first time I plan a journey to Morocco ( I've been there before but with others leading the way ).

anyone has done route MW3 Assa to Tan-Tan ? I was told that the area is very rocky, very hard on suspensions and all the rest, but by reading the book it doesn't sound like it.

should I skip it ? please advise.

Tito

It´s rocky but very beautiful. I´ll not skip it.

Hi Pera

Thanks for the reply, I'm guessing that you have done the route, do you have any pictures you can share ?

Tito

@Tim: Do you have any information about piste condition Azilal direction South - Agouti - Tighremt n'Ait Ahmed - Gorges du M'Goun - Bou Thrarar - N10? Road Azilal - Agouti looks tarmac. I heard last November track/piste South from Agouti over one pass to Gorges du M'Goun is renewing? By your opinion when is best time to pass High Atlas tracks with light loaded GS's? End of May or better in June? Last year end of October I could not ride over Ouano (MH1), Melloul & Tleta (MH7) because after heavy rain & snow were blocked or too slippery.

Do you ever ride direct gravel track from Asni to Oukaimeden?

Azilal to Agouti is tarmac, see route C13 Ait Bououlli Valley A potential extension is route C21 Happy Valley and the Cathedral.

The route over the M'Goun massive is not possible on motorbike. Coming from Bou Tharar and the south it's now tarmac until Amejgag, then a short stage of piste, then mule track. Knowing that, I haven't bothered to investigate the northern end from Agouti.

I can't comment on weather other than to say it varies. :) I've been over the Tizi n'Ouano in winter and it was fine and dry. May or June should (hopefully) be OK. Most snow evaporates rather than turning to water.

Asni to Oukaimdene is tricky in a couple of places. I did it solo, with luggage, on a Tenere, and also solo, unladened on a 1200GS. Coming from Marrakech, there's a left turn about 100m after the Afriquia station in Asni. Follow this tarmac road heading south, then east for 12.5km then turn right onto the piste to Oukaimdene. Tricky bit is 4km along the piste (which isn't on Olaf's MarocTopo map).

Once at Oukaimdene there are great views from the radio towers at the top looking north towards Marrakech. Also the possibility of carrying on along the valley to the south to the top of the Tizi n'Eddi from where you can look down on Tizi n'Tamatert.

Tim

Sorry Tito, last time I did the route was 1998 and I used slides, I´ll need to look for them between thousands of slides.

Many thanks Tim. Then will try C21: Happy Valley and the Cathedral as you did.

Last year looks like that Link to pictures on local forum on MA-2. Last 4 pictures near the end of the side. First 7 were mostly in Mauritania and West Sahara.

I rode opposite side on MA-2. New gravel road from Izerbi to Igmir.

Interesting, my Google Chrome browser translates from Slovenian to English!

Hope to catch you one day :-) :scooter:

Hi Pera

Don't worry about the pictures, I'm reviewing my chosen routes, and I might have to skip MW3 in the end, or pickup a few more days of holiday .

I used take lots of slide photos too, and I'm very tempeted to take one of my old film cameras with me this time.

Tito

@Tim: Which route shout be plausable with 1200gsA between Asni and Oukameiden? Magenta route in Olaf v2.0 is not conected to the top of pass. When I was there last year, from my point of view this track seams Ok.

Can you please resize or crop your graphic (or use the version below) as it makes reading and responding almost impossible.

http://www.morocco-knowledgebase.net...oukaimdene.jpg

Where did you get the map? Is this the Garmin Topo (as opposed to the Olaf topo)? I suspect some of the routes
shown are footpaths or mule tracks.

I don't know whether the route you show in magenta actually connects with Oukaimdene, when you look on Google Earth
it starts off OK but disappears. You'll note the suspicious straight section and the contour lines just north of the
'unpaved road' label are too close (i.e. too steep for a vehicle). But by all means prove me wrong. :)

The backdoor piste to Oukaimdene that I've used leaves the tarmac at N31 14.593 W7 54.780 which is earlier than
your magenta route. It starts off as a nice blue (non technical) track however there's a definitely tricky technical section
about 4km along the track. I recorded it as a black (expert) rather than a red (technical). However, conditions do
change, and of course you always have the opportunity to do some piste rebuilding work before tackling stages (grin).

Re your green route: there's a tarmac road, then a piste to the top of the Tizi n'Eddi (I did this on a trek several years
before the new piste was dug out about four years ago). But as of about 18 months ago, the link that you show from
the Tizi n'Eddi south to Tagaddirt just doesn't exist unless you are a mule. I've climbed it on foot but you only have to
look at the contour lines to work out that it's impossible as a vehicular route.

Hi, Tim. When was too late I saw map is 1920x1200 px. Now I will resize all to 1024x768 px and hope it will be Ok. Sorry about my poor English, but I will try to explain.

Garmin map Morocco-Topo v2 is bought from Touratech. It is routabile with same and more tracks as in Olaf v1.5. Someone add bigger city's street navigation too. So it looks like mixure Olaf 1.5 with CN North Africa 2012. I spot that in this "new" (from 2009) map are not so many hotel signs as in v1.5 or in CN, but much more tracks included. Also walking tracks are in. That was reason I asked you if it is possible to pass mount M'Goun. Tour guide from Ouozoud falls said to me that moroccans building new piste over M'Goun which should go up near 4.000 m a.s.l. ??? Can you check this info at your moroccan friends, please?

Here is same map without tracks. "Magenta" is not connected to the pass of Oukameiden ...

http://shrani.si/f/3f/f9/46n2seiP/asni-oukameiden.jpg

But when I photograph from Oukameiden view spot (200-300 m West from restaurants platoe) I saw gravel piste going down ... Looks like "magenta" piste.

Direction to Toubkal: mid-down is gravel piste direction Asni ???
http://shrani.si/f/2h/Dz/RmRs4rM/618c0936.jpg

direction bit to North - same piste
http://shrani.si/f/Y/Gm/3qXJogMG/618c0943.jpg

Upper parking place. Near ski lifts. Follows one piste. I thik this is "green" one. I do not understand you well. Is it possible to ride from Asni over Tizi-n-Eddi to Oukameiden on 1200gs?
http://shrani.si/f/1e/pw/3UYofVwO/618c0933.jpg

Thomas

http://www.morocco-knowledgebase.net...oukaimdene.jpg

The nifty bit of image resizing above mixes a bit your magenta route with what's actually on the ground. The junction of piste and tarmac at W30029.3 is the scene of your second photograph.

The green route leading south is initially tarmac (halfway along is the ski lift shown in your third photo) and it then climbs in a steep piste to the top of the Tizi n'Eddi. At the top you overlook the next valley but there's no way down on a bike.

There are some other high pistes in the area, the one climbing Jebel Ouhattr is an example, there's another nearby.

Going back to your larger Garmin Topo map, the tarmac road from Asni to Imlil now continues way past Imlil, over the Tizi n'Tamatert (video below) and into the next valley.



The dotted line shown running from there, northwest to Asni is fine on a bike.

I'll be in the area in a couple of weeks, might take another look if it's not too cold in the mountains.

Tim

Thank's Bertrand and special to you Tim. Plane is returning into Morocco this June and ride as much as possible by Chris book routes or part of them: MH-1, 3, 2; MH-4, 5; MS-6, 8; MA-3, 1, 2; your Imlil-Tizi n'Tamatert-Asni; MH-7; MS-9 and your Azilal-Chatedral-Beni Melal.

If we meet us there, should drink a pint of beer bier

Reading the contour lines is key for working out what are viable routes. Then checking what might be viable with Google Earth to see if you can see the track on the ground.

I'll also be in Morocco in June, so who knows... June will be the second trip with my son-in-law. Last year's trip was the first time he had been on a motorbike since passing his bike test four years earlier, and the video below shows what I subjected him to on his first day in Morocco.

I have to admit I did wonder whether he would make it...

Your son-in-law should made something terrible wrong you forced him over flooded track :-) In Chris book: Morocco Overland page 91: Better wet boots than everything else too or even worse scenario ...

Every time when visit unknown terrain, I use Google Earth to check track condition. But not be possible to check everywhere.

In June will be with company in Morocco again. This time we will ride 1x KTM 990adv, 2x 1200gsA (all SLO) and 2x F-800gs from friends from UK. All on Conti TKC. One UK friend is not so confident in off-road ridding. I have some worried about two sections. First goes from Taza direction south over Tizi n'Zabel, just 20 km gravel/rocky piste. When checking situation on Google-Earth seams piste has no tricky parts. But piste from Demnate->Tizi n'Amarskine->Tirsal->Iskad->piste to Chatedral is different story. Does anyone knows piste conditions of that part. If it is too technical seams better going around to Azlilal, then South towards the piste to Chatedral. Any ideas?

Map of first section South from Taza
http://shrani.si/f/2/13X/ZxoIu19/taza.jpg

and second Demnate to Chatedral
http://shrani.si/f/3G/ol/1Ru83dIu/tirsal.jpg

The first leg you are asking for I think is almost tarmac, only near tizi BouZabel there is gravel but not difficult.

Tomorrow som friends depart to see your second leg, grrr! I must be with them. I´ll say anything when they arrive

Many thank's Pera, I will wait for your latest report from not so easy part from Demnate towards Chatedral. I saw only pictures with very hard technical terrain on that part.

Thomas

Ok, they depart tomorrow :( I was going with them but it´s imposible

Pera, did not understand well. You tryed this section, but was not possible to pass or something else was happen? Mud slides or ... force you turning back?

Do you think this part should be passable end of June? Thank's for explanations.

Thomas

Ok, with an image is easier

http://img834.imageshack.us/img834/416/aaaaaagb.jpg

I began at Azilal last summer. This week my friends are trying on the reverse sense to Demnate.

;)

Pera, your picture is on second part of route. Chatedral piste. I know there are no tecnical problems at all.

What about firs part from Demnate over Tizi Amarskine, Tirsal ??? This one should be big problem. Need info's from that part. Tnx

Thomas

Next Monday, when my friends arrive.

Routes Ait-Herbil to Tafraoute Ma2 and Ma1
 

Any news on the condition of the routes MA2 and MA1 from Cris Scott's Book ?

A while ago I was told that route MA2 was closed due to a land slide, does any one now if it has reopen ?

Otherwise would route ma1 be a good alternative ?

http://img839.imageshack.us/img839/4001/ma1ouma2.png

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

As I recall MA1 is the only interesting alternative in getting down to Ait herbil. The Tizerkine Gorge at the start is a nice, palmy run but the actual oued stage was rather easy and dull compared to all the greenery and drama on MA2.

I believe the landslide was a year and a half ago so you'd think it would have got cleared by now for Igmir's sake (MA2). When I was there they had to walk up that hill just to get a mobile signal.

What map is that clubman? It looks unusually detailed.

Ch

Morocco Map
 

Hi Chris

It's only Olaf's Map !

Tito

So it is.

And I have just worked out how to view it on BaseCamp on Mac, not off a GPS. It's a miracle!

C

I´m so sorry my friends could not explore the gap between Demnate and Tabant. There was so many recent snow from 1500 m.

Fresh updates, MO1 ( plague blanche ) is finne and highly recommend, did it yesterday, all good fun!

MW4, Fask to Assa, is graded, the original track is mostly gone. Hoprfully tomorrow will post some pic on my blog.

Tito

Ait-Herbil to Tafraoute
 

Route MA2 all clear, no landslides to speak off, higly recommended, visited the rock carvings in Ait-Herbil, lunch in the gite de Imir, and now I'm typing this in a nice hotel in Tafraoute. All in one days work, not bad at all. There's a new road being build on this route but still all the good things are still there .

Thank's Pera. Just came home from short vacations. We will have 2 days reserve and in case could not be passable first part over Amarskine, we will make a loop over Azilal.

MA2 two years ago.
 

MA2 in May 2010



or

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96byQ...yer_detailpage

MH1 road
 

Hi,

I am new, since i am going to Morocco the first and was planning doing the MH1 from Midelt to Imichil. But i am renting a normal car, not a 4WD. Is it possible and easy to make this route on a normal car? I dont want to risk since is a rented car. Is all the way all tarmac? I am going on september...

Many thanks

Tiago

tfouto: drive north west from Midelt on the N13 and after about 18km turn left on a tarmac road signposted 'Ait Orhar' (or similar, there are several spellings). Keep going south west towards Tounfite, but turn south before you reach it. Some pics (taken going in opposite direction) E14 Jebel Ayachi

After the junction shown in the first photo above follow signs for Imilchil.

Thanks, for the explanation...

So the way it's the one in gray in the attachment?

If so how is the way between Tounfite and Imilchil? Is it tarmac or at least suited to a 2WD rented car?

Many thanks...

Yes, though I'd say the map isn't particularly accurate. There's not many roads in the area and as long as you turn south before Tounfite and head for Imilchil you should be OK. Awesome road!

@tfouto: Some pictures from that part in this June

In the valley
http://shrani.si/f/0/RS/2rayEWy5/617c9828.jpg

Before Timicha pass
http://shrani.si/f/2G/5S/2f0sIlaw/617c9834.jpg

Near Anefgou
http://shrani.si/f/3V/s/2JzJWiIx/617c9843.jpg

MA3 (Reverse) All clear some damage from recent rains but pretty easy really

MA6 (Reverse) All clear, Tarmac is encroaching at either end, there is now Tarmac from KM104 to Akka Ighane. We started on MA9 so can't report on the last MA6 section. Tramac is also maing its way across the Issil Plains. Tried to run north from the Tazenahkt road upto MH9 using a track on OSM's latest, got tp 2-3km from tying up when it disappeared into a goat track :(

MH7 Fan - bloody - tastic, some damage from the recent rains but with navigator directing we got through the washed out sections. Tarmac starts at KM104 but otherwise by the Book!

MH-7: Surrounding is phenomenal
http://shrani.si/f/2d/1i/4NR5uMig/618c0305.jpg

But we have to turn back short after Tleta (pict uphill to Melloul)
http://shrani.si/f/3q/lW/VHAIoZY/618c0299.jpg

Just done the MS Route from Zagora to Rissani but cant remember the number. All route ok but crossing the oued ziz was not possible due to water levels and mud so we stayed on the west of the river and headed north (annoying some moped faux guides as we did and crossed further up, find you way north to a small village then follow the piste east across the ziz. Marked on Olaf so should be clear which one

Water levels should drop in a few days and the mud dry out

ME4 great route but almost every river crossing is out by the end of along day I was sick of it. LOt of thanks to the mystery truck tracks we followed, I'm guessing it was a beast by some of the route choices. Not one for a 2WD at the moment

Thanks for all the updates, TW. ME4 in the rain sounds like hard work. Even in the dry it took some negotiating. Point us to some pix when you get a chance.

Ch

ms3/6
 

Just completed ms3 and ms6....starting from nekob to rissini today...no problems at all...all oued are dry...a great route Steve/m

Lot of rain in the north today not sure how far south it spread though.

Steve watch out for crossing Oued Ziz the Dakar/Michelin crossing was out we we came through

ouid ziz
 

thanks for the advice warden steve

rainy fes today. road from Chefchouen to Fes is fine, but we would have major problems with floods around ceuta if we didnt have toyota :D

Just returned from Atlas. Last year we tried to ride from Anergui to Cathedrale but we were stopped by the river. This year road was doable but there was 9 of us, water was 1.5 meter high. Other pistes we rode were in good condition - from Demnate to Cathedrale...

Bulk of my pics are now up here

Morocco Overland 2012 - a set on Flickr

so far MA3, MA9, MH7, MH10, MS4, MS6, ME2 ME4 and ME7. All are tagged with the route number and 90% geo tagged
I've also got loads of video to sort out over Christmas which although low res should show some of the tricky sections better

TheWarden - superb pictures :thumbup1:

Thanks, keep an eye on the stream theres Figuig, Rekkan Plateau, Mengoub and Tendrara Stations, abandoned forts, black dunes etc still to come.

I'm slowly doing a trip report in the 4x4 section as well

18th Dec towards Midelt, there was loads of snow around.

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e4...psb9698f0b.jpg

Wed 19th Dec MS6, Dry and in very good condition, as stunning as normal and a very nice 26c


http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e4...ps0a6d9f31.jpg

Very Jealous Matt :( are you aiming from Christmas in the WS still?

BTW all my photos from the Morocco Overland Routes are now up on my Flickr, see link above

Morocco Overland route status
 

Hi all, I've just sent in Morocco II which will be out in May they say, but fyi this is the book's route status AFAIK.

ME zone
A new dam to get around on ME6 KM31

MH Zone
MH1 now all sealed to Agoudal
MH2 All sealed
MH7 Sealed from KM104
MH9 Half sealed

MS Zone
Fuel in Merzouga now, 38km before Rissani
MS5 largely graded - but not sealed yet
MS9 A road runs up to around KM25

MA Zone
MA2 Improved north of Igmir
MA4 All sealed
MA6 Sealed up to Issil and probably near Ighern Warfaln (KM80) southwards by now
MA7 Sealed to KM38 turn off and from Issil north to the N10.
MA9 About 50km east of Akka Ig ready to be sealed (but it's been like that for years)

MW Zone
MW6 Now a graded track to Labouriyat and soon after 'KM266' you join a new road and pass north of Hawza base.

Ch

Hi All

Now we are in Tata, with friend we did it MS6 and MS8 .Is someone near here?
The rute and weather is ok.Goes someone in Samara?

LP Andrej

We spent Christmas day in Zagora in the end, did MW6 a couple of days ago it's now graded 8km passed Labouriyat and marked out a further 12km (approx).

MW6 is a fantastic piste and well worth doing. The constant Police checks around Samara are entertaining, first you get the local lot, then the national Police both asking the same questions and within a Km of each other.

In the UK now and back at work :frown:

Sad looking at photos and wanting to be back.

One more photo of a fantastic area south of Foum Zguid (on topic pistes in great condition) :Beach:

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e4...psc01a9623.jpg

was the tree on the roof camouflage or firewood :D

i wanna go back:(

Yes, it take me an hour from the Assa- Mahbes road to Leboirat.

Piste between Zagora and Foum Zguid noth Djebel Bani is going to be asphalted in short, they are working in the whole piste.

Piste from the road between Rissani and Alnif passing through Tazulait, Fezzou and Tafraut is going to be asphalted in June 2013

I'm actually pleased about that, at the moment it takes a long time to get from Zagora to Foum Zguid whichever way you go which kind of isolates Zagora

Ups! I forgot to say that a new tarmac road is in contruction between Erfoud and Merzuga

@ Pera: Do you have any info about M9 piste (Taliouine -> Foum Zguid)?

I read somewhere here that there is also a lot of asphalting work going on in that area? If so, can I get somewhere an alternatieve piste, because the last I wanno do is tarmac!

Regarding M8 piste (Zagora -> Foum Zguid): where is the tarmac exactly and is there an alternative pls?

Will be there with easter :D

Thanks in advance!!

I have´not pass M9 for years, don´t know, sorry.

M8 has tarmac aproximately 10 km. from F. Zguid. Before there was plenty of tolé onduleé but now it´s much better. You wil find many temporary deviations because of the works.

You have alternatives South Djebel Bani: Mhamid el Gozlane -> F. Zguid or Tagounite -> F. Zguid

Zagora - Foum Zguid
 

There's new tarmac west of Zagora to the new airport (regular flights from Casablanca) and beyond. In October there was a lot of new grading work at the Foum Zguid end which may be asphalt by now.

However, the old piste is still driveable, just peel off the tarmac to the right about 1.5km outside Zagora. You can stay on the piste until about 4km before Bourbia when the new road comes in from the left.

The grading continues until the really rough section of piste around KM64. After the rocky section you can either stick to the graded piste or take the minor piste south of the road.

At about KM 90 the main road swings from WSW to WNW. If you head for the small village by the sand dunes you can pick up the minor track which runs towards Foum Zguid.

So, you can take your pick. If you want to get to Foum Zguid in a few hours stick to the new road. If you want a good day's drive, take the old piste.

Happy trails,

Peter

MH7 road Askaoun-Anezal
 

Hi all,

In April I am going on my first trip to Morocco and I was hoping to rent a 2WD car and get around.
One of the routes I wanted very much to take would be the MH7 which connects Askaoun to Anezal, i. e. going roughly through the northern slope of Djebel Sirwa. As far as I could see (but there isn't much info around) the road isn't tarmac paved and I was wondering if a mad guy could do it with a rent 2WD? Conversely I would be willing to rent a 4WD if any of you have suggestions where to do it (cheaply) in Marrakesh.
Best wishes and thanks in advance!

Eduardo
Portugal

Hi Eduardo,
I was biking with GS last June on MH7. After passing Melloul and Tleta we found two landslide parts. With 2WD you will not be able to pass them.

I agree with Whiskey

Even in a 4WD it can become impassable due to snow melt, we had to turn around on that piste in April 11.

As said not possible in 2wd, we did MH7 last October and it was tricky in places in a 4x4

and we turned back, it was impossible even with bikes

MH7 road Askaoun-Anezal
 

Well, thank you all so much.
However, is it still possible to reach Tizi-Melloul and Tleta in a 2wd? I understand the greatest difficulties are beyond Tleta? I just want really get to that place.
Thanks again!

Anezal to KM104 is tar so ok in 2wd any further west and you'll hit problems

Oct 2012
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8338/8...793072ce04.jpg
P1040067 by Trackasylum, on Flickr

Pic doesn't really show but looking west behind is a short steep climb and where the track goes over the ridge were big rocks that almost got us stuck.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8066/8...6e468f1c31.jpg
IMG_0126 by Trackasylum, on Flickr

When we went through the landslides had been cleared but after winter it could be damaged and very muddy. I would think in a 2wd you'd get so far and then have to turn around and head back. West of KM90 Tizi-n-Melloul there was very little sign of regular local traffic use

Well guys, mant thanks for the answers!

To round up:

* Pistes MH6-MH7-MH8 (I want to go from Aouloz -> Taliouine): do-able but sometimes tricky, even in a 4WD;

One question remains: how long is the proposed route (approximately) and how long will it take in a LR? A day?

* Piste M9 Taliouine - Foum Zguid : no problems, no asphalt then? :D

* Piste M8 Zagora - Foum Zguid: folow Peter Girlings routes to avoid tarmac!

Any more updates?

Tnx already! Much appreciated! :clap:

Conditions can change of course but I would say MH6 is much easier than MH7 or MH8. Ancient Transits run to the very top of MH6. It is easily doable in a day but with an LR MH7 or -8 will be more fun.

(Fyi I once passed a carefully driven local VW Golf on MH7 heading west just after the passes, so it can be done, but maybe not currently).

If you mean MS9 I hear the eastern section passing the many villages is sealed. This is not the greatest piste in the area. With an LR I would be tempted to do the MA routes going over the jebel south of Issil. Both fantastic routes.

Ch

@ Chris: I meant the M9 route from your book Sahara Overland, not Morroco Overland book or website.

Oh, didn't think anyone uses that anymore. Info in there is ancient.

That route is long time sealed from Tali to Akka Ighern and now beyond a bit heading into the Jebel - and in progress eastwards from there about 60km to the Tlite junction (MA7), about 35km from FZ.
A great drive. We did it last March.

Ch

Chris,

Do you mean the whole route MA6 (Taliouine towards Akka Ihern) is sealed? That's a pity then!

The rest of MA7 (except for the sealed parts as mentioned above), reading between the lines form you and others, is sometimes "interesting".

Mmm, seems that I should rethink the piste section of my Easter holiday then.....:cool4:

This is actually MA11 in the MO1 book and only a pity if you are looking for off road action. In a regular vehicle it's a great drive.

Very interesting and what an LR is made for, unless it is a Freelander or similar.

In that area (MA) there are many great pistes in the Jebel Timkouka and no real mud issues like there can be in MH.

Ch

I wonder what the situation is on the way from Ait Orrhar to Imilchil, not Jaffar? Or road is marked?

Ait Oumghar/Ait Orrhar/Ait Orhrar
 

All versions of the same village name, I think. If you mean the one just of the N12 about 10km NW of Midelt, it's now graded/tarmac most of the way and a fairly easy ride/drive all the way to Imilchil. 3-4 hours should do it.

Happy trails,

Peter

MW6 Tarmac this year from KM270 all the way into Smara taking you north road Hawza and the military base.

We joined at KM214 so no update for the first section