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Suitable routes? Suitable routes?
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Morocco Topics specific to Morocco, including Western Sahara west of the berm
Photo by Lois Pryce, schoolkids in Algeria

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Photo of Lois Pryce, UK
and schoolkids in Algeria



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  #1  
Old 10 Feb 2014
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Suitable routes?
Folks we're planning our first Morocco trip in May. We're taking Teneres, 800 and 1200 GSs, so I want to make sure I plan some interesting routes that take in plenty of scenery without getting overwhelmed.

We'll be starting in Ceuta and heading for Fez. Nothing to heavy but a gentle introduction to Africa... any nice route ideas?

From Fez we'd like to head down to Ouarzazate via Dades Gorge. We have a couple of days to do this and I'd like to take in some trails, a taste of desert (but no dunes on our big bikes) and un-tarmaced roads.

From there we'll head to Marrakesh.

Then a day or two to get back to Ceuta... But stumped on a route back that will be just as fun, so ideas?

Got most other info from the HUBB and Chris's book... But any other advice welcomed!

Is Carlos cheaper than booking online for Ceuta rtn with set dates?

Thanks all!!!

Much inspiration had from Tim posting on the XT forum and the GSer site!
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  #2  
Old 10 Feb 2014
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How many days have you got? If you're going to do Fes, I wouldn't do Marrakech. I'd spend more time on the bikes and head to the south. There are plenty of tracks to avoid the sand dunes at Erg Chebbi and Chegagga with the big bikes.

From Fes, I'd pick up Chris's route over the Atlas and down Dades Gorge. You can then either head for Ouarzazate and the trails in the Anti Atlas. Or you can head over Jebel Sahro and either turn right to head down to Zagora or left to Tazzarine and piste or asphalt to Merzouga.

if you've got time you can swing out east and back up over the Rekkam plateau and over the Rif.

Just a few options, someone will be along shortly with another game plan...

I've found Carlos to be cheaper than online plus you can get an open ticket so aren't tied to specific times & dates.

Happy trails,

Peter
PS Don't forget to post the trip report!
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  #3  
Old 10 Feb 2014
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Good luck.

Chris Scott's book is a start, as Peter said depends how long you have in Morocco.

One thing I learnt on my first trip is that distances may be the same as in Euroland, but the traffic, roads, livestock and the sheer beauty of the country needs enjoyment and any journey takes longer than first thought.

Safe travels, Mark
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  #4  
Old 10 Feb 2014
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Just been reading Mick and Marens trip report from last summer... They look like they took a good route to Ouarzazate.

We've only got 11 days there and back. So leaving Sunday we plan to get to Ceuta Wednesday morning. We need to leave via Ceuta on the following Monday midday. We're governed by the Ferry which is a shame.

Thanks for the responses so far... Need to do some more detailed map and book reading I think!
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  #5  
Old 11 Feb 2014
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+1 for uknomad's comments about journey times.

Have a read of the write-up I did on AdventureBikeRider forum, especially the tips section which I've copied in below.

Quote:
The mistake most people make when first visiting Morocco is to try to do too much. They read the guide books, make a tick list of all the places to see, then look at the map and join the dots. This invariably means they are spending most of their time pounding tarmac, mostly on busy main roads vying with mad-cow taxi drivers and truckers trying to make progress. So my main tips are

1) Unless you are really wanting a long road trip, try to concentrate on a smaller area of the country rather than trying to tick all the boxes in the guide books.

2) The speed limits are similar to the UK, though drop to 40 kph (25 mph) in towns. Radar guns are commonplace, so avoid speeding unless you want a 400dh fine.

3) Don’t visit major cities like Marrakech or Fez unless you are planning to spend a day there sightseeing. Otherwise you will be fighting your way through the evening traffic just to kip overnight and leave the next morning. Instead come back on a weekend fly break some other time to properly see these places.

4) Avoid main roads where possible. Try to keep off the ‘N’ roads and concentrate on the ‘R’ and ‘P’ secondary roads. You will see more of the country, have much less traffic and a far more relaxing holiday.

5) When negotiating or evaluating prices, bear in mind that the typical wage for an unskilled person is 80-100dh per day. So ask yourself whether the prices are realistic. A tea or coffee should be around 5dh, a tagine midday meal around 20-30dh, 1.5-litre bottles of water are 5-6dh.
With only five and a bit days you are 'breaking' most of my tips. You're planning to visit Fez and Marrakech (see tip 3) and riding all the way to Ouarzazate (see tip 1 plus tip 4) and I fear you won't get as much out of your visit as if you concentrated on a smaller area.

Are you open to suggestions on a less ambitious route covering the northern part of Morocco around the Rif and Middle Atlas?

.
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  #6  
Old 11 Feb 2014
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Tim more than open to your pearls of wisdom...

Definitely want to avoid main roads.

Been looking at the Michelin 742 Morocco map, and as you say I've been joining dots looking at places and routes others have done.

Be good to have a half or full day break sometime around the weekend for sightseeing.

As salary men our time is limited, but quality is better than quantity...
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