Hi,

We are going to Morocco in April this year, myself and a friend, both in Land Rovers. Its my second trip but first with me doing all the planning etc. previously we went over with Peter from Atlas Overland. We have about 20 days in Morocco and I have planned out a route based on Chris Scott's book and other ideas etc from here and the web. We want to try and stay off tarmac as much as possible with wild camping the preference. We are also keen to try and visit some of the natural landmarks and sites in the mountains and deserts.

I would welcome any thoughts / advice on our route choice below and ideas for routes or places to visit.

Many thanks

Simon

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I'll be out in April as well , looks like a good starting point for you trip.

Theres a big rally on in April which is worth watching if you have time
https://morocco-desert-challenge.com/en/home/

We're planning to see them at Plage Blanch on the first stage

Had a look at you plans, looks good but a few ideas pointers from me

1) You could be off road from Azrou to Midelt, getting another day in off road for the trip. (I can send you a tracklog of a nice route)

2) MH1 - this is a tough route. The Cirque was closed for repairs in November last year but a long detour in place (roughly KM27). From KM73 to KM110 was pretty beaten up with regular places running through the river. I missed the section from KM110 to 132 last year but in 2013 this section took us 4 hours.

I'd add a bit more time for this routes myself, realistically 1.5 days minimum imho

3) Day 5 (I don't have the latest book so not sure about MH14. But I did Dades to Erfoud on MH10 last year, took most of the day.

4) 2 days is comfortably enough for MS8. Tata has more accommodation options than Akka

5) Are you going to Agadir for a reason? (you dates coincide with the start of the rally) If not I wouldn't bother theres nicer places to see.

6) Consider Moulay Bousellham as a pre return ferry stop on the way home. Its a bit further north but a nice place to stop.

Your plans include a good variety of terrain and routes so should be an interesting trip.

As mentioned above I'm out in April, watching the rally on the 17th and then heading down to Dakhla off road.

Warden....Many thanks for taking the time to look at these, some great suggestions and thanks for the heads up on MH1. I would really appreciate the route idea from Azrou to Midelt, might rethink routes getting down to Dades rather than launching into a demanding piste on day one!

I had a look at the rally you mentioned, looks a great route so I think we will try and catch it somewhere along the way. We have to go to Agadir to drop one of our team off at the Airport so tied into that really. We are really keen to get down into Western Sahara but hear conflicting reports about access to pistes down there, apart from very close to the Berm are there any other areas that are no go at the moment?

Off-road to Dahkla sounds fun, are you following the coast or heading inland?

No problem Simon,

Saw the rally a few years ago and its great fun , we plan to camp at the south end of the beach to watch If your in the area we could have a Rally Party!

As far as I am aware no issues on restrictions in the WS except near the berm, we'll be off road from Smara heading south on a route others have done so hopefully it'll be smooth navigation.

MW6 gives you a nice couple of days off road between Assa and Smara. Great dry lake bed to drive on as well, much better than Lac Iriki or Lac Maider you cross earlier on in your trip.

That's good to hear about WS, we'll see how far we get. From the rally stages I think we'll be around the dunes at cheggaga so we'll Try and see it around there if possible.

Maybe see you on the road.