Morocco Overland Routes Update

[cjdad76]

Hi All,

I've posted here before about my first trip to Morocco with 2 mates leaving at the end of March, since which time we have Touratech'd our bikes up (2 x KTM690Enduro's & 950 Adventure) and I have tried to put together a rough route plan - we will have 12 days riding in Morocco.

We are planning our basic route around many of those listed in Chris Scotts Morocco Overland book, aiming to head South from Ceuta as fast as possible to get over the Atlas and down into the desert where we want to try and ride off tarmac as much as possible. We are staying fairly loose as we hope to meet people on the way, who may be able to suggest alternative routes.

Any comments on the routes below? I have read a lot about many of the roads being tarmacced down there:

1. Missour - Boudenib - Erfoud
ME1 to Beni Tajite then either:
a) ME4/ME5 to Bouanane then ME2 to Erfoud or
b) ME7 to Erfoud
Here looking to maybe head to Merzouga & Erh Chebbi, but heard it is very touristy.

2. Erfoud - Rissani - Ouarzazate (Bikershome)
MS3 /MS6 Rissani - Merzouga(?) - Tafraoute
From here, we hope to have time to head to Tagounite/Mhamid & Erg Chegaga via MS6, if we don't have time:
MS4 to Zagora then MS1 to Agdz - Ouarzazate

3. Ourzazate - Ceuta
No routes planned here to get back. If pushed for time, we will shoot across to Marakesh then fastest possible means to port, otherwise some pistes over the Atlas would be fantastic.

Thanks,
C

[Chris Scott]

All looks good to me. If you take MS3 or -6 you'll go right past Merzouga with Erg Chebbi alongside it. If you've never seen an erg before it's worth a stop if not an overnight.

Ch


Forgot to add, when you get back, please pass on your accom recommendations or otherwise on this thread:
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...ntribute-39077
It's gone a bit dormant.

thanks

[cjdad76]

Thanks Chris - straight from the horses mouth so to speak!

Without killing ourselves in the saddle for 8hrs a day, IYHO are we likely to make it all the way to Tagounite/Mhamid & Erg Chegaga (via MS6) in a 12 day trip?

Also, we were hoping to make a couple of 2 day stop overs in one place, off-load the bikes and ride a few pistes from a base. Any suggestions on places to do this? Ouarzazate (Bikershome) would be an obvious one, anwhere else?
C

[Chris Scott]

are we likely to make it ...

yes I think so but it will be a lot of riding.
Me, I would drop the ME sector which is really more suited to people coming down from Nador and not especially worth going out of your way for compared to the west.

From Ceuta head directly for Marrakech and Ozt - Or reverse MH2 - and from there take your pick.

...(Bikershome) would be an obvious one, anwhere else?

I would pick any of the nice cheap hotels in small towns further south like Tazernacht/Foum Z, Alnif/Nekob, Tata and even Taliouine if it's not wet/cold (see that link above for recoms).

Wouldn't mind going for ride out there right now!

Ch

[Tim Cullis]

It's lovely here at the moment, Chris. I'm on the Tenere with a couple of friends on hired XTR660s from Loc2Roues. Brilliant sunshine, great pistes.

Tim

[Chris Scott]

Hi Tim, what a new Tenere like I had, or an old banger?
I thought that BM '650' twin you had showed promise as an AM bike, though I've not ridden one.

Ch