Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > North Africa
Maps In Morocco (and dirt tracks) Maps In Morocco (and dirt tracks)
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
North Africa Topics specific to North Africa and the Sahara down to the 17th parallel (excludes Morocco)
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



Trans Sahara Routes.

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 24 Oct 2007
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Leeds, UK
Posts: 120
Maps In Morocco (and dirt tracks)
Hi - I was wondering where is the best place to get Morrocan maps showing roads and dirt tracks. I would like to do 80% off roading while I am over there - will a lot of the 'roads' be dirt tracks anyway?

Anything I can access from the internet? - Obviously google maps but I think this has major tarmac roads only?
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 24 Oct 2007
Tim Cullis's Avatar
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: London and Granada Altiplano
Posts: 3,115
Michelin 742 2007 edition map is the most up to date, but still very inaccurate. Roads shown as tracks and visa versa. Best to ask about specific routes.

Tim
__________________
"For sheer delight there is nothing like altitude; it gives one the thrill of adventure
and enlarges the world in which you live," Irving Mather (1892-1966)
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 25 Oct 2007
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Leeds, UK
Posts: 120
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tim Cullis View Post
Michelin 742 2007 edition map is the most up to date, but still very inaccurate. Roads shown as tracks and visa versa. Best to ask about specific routes.

Tim
OK thanks - i've ordered that map (£4 from amazon!) and will ask about routes when i know where I want to go.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 25 Oct 2007
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: FRANCE
Posts: 138
Hi
On this site you can download a map comptible with Mapsource and so downloadable on a Garmin GPS
GPS Vector Map Morocco.

On an other hand, you can find on the web some olds maps with scale 1/200 000°, which are good for tracks, those maps can be used with TTQV or OZI, softwares dedicated.

Eric
Picasa Albums Web - Eric
Two 400 XR in Morocco - ADVrider
Deux 400XR au MAROC
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 26 Oct 2007
MarkLG's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Sheffield, UK
Posts: 226
If you've got Garmin Mapsource then I've got a file with about 30 routes, petrol stations, campsites and hotels which I've compiled from various sources.

Take a look at these:

Voyages 4x4 (use google to translate)

ChesterKiK - Voyage au Maroc en moto - 2005

Also take a look at Chris Scott's Sahara Overland book.
The Maroc topo map mentioned above is essential (and free) if you've got a Garmin GPS - it's being updated regularly and the majority of trails are accurately represented.
The Michelin map is the one most people use, but it doesn't have grid lines on it which is a bit annoying. See if you can find the Rough Guide map and see which you prefer.

I'm in sheffield if you want to meet up for lunch one weekend to have a chat and compare notes.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 1 Nov 2007
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Leeds, UK
Posts: 120
Hi would you recommend getting any more detailed maps than the Michelin 742 and the GPS tracks mentioned here?

Any recommendation of a route - preferably pistes as much as possible from Tanger to Oran or Tanger to Figuig - there doesn't look like much on my michelin map before Fes.

Also are all the pistes that are 'unsurfaced tracks' in the south west Morocco - sahara region good to ride, are any of them very difficult to travel along on on our bikes - pegaso 650 and BMW 1200 with continental TKC80 dual purpose tyres?

Sorry for more questions but what are the prohibited roads marked in two red dashed lines on the Michelin Maps - can we use these? e.g. there's one to the West of Figuig.

Thanks Ian
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 3 Nov 2007
MarkLG's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Sheffield, UK
Posts: 226
I found the Michelin map and the GPS maps were fine. I used the Michelin for rough planning, but most of the time we relied on the GPS maps and the preplanned routed we had in our GPS units.
It's hard to find more detailed maps of Morocco, and the ones that are about are mostly old military maps from the 60's and are of limited use.
We didn't come across any marked tracks which weren't rideable on a big bike with suitable tyres. The majority are hard packed stone/gravel with a few sandy stretchs to negotiate.
Take it steady through the slow and soft stuff and keep an eye on your engine temp. My KTM came through fine with a few stops to cool off, but my mate's 1150GSA didn't fare as well - the starter motor overheated and siezed up. It got going after a 15 minute cool down, but it carried on playing up for the rest of the trip.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 3 Nov 2007
Tim Cullis's Avatar
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: London and Granada Altiplano
Posts: 3,115
Quote:
Originally Posted by men8ifr View Post
Hi would you recommend getting any more detailed maps than the Michelin 742 and the GPS tracks mentioned here?

Any recommendation of a route - preferably pistes as much as possible from Tanger to Oran or Tanger to Figuig - there doesn't look like much on my michelin map before Fes.

Also are all the pistes that are 'unsurfaced tracks' in the south west Morocco - sahara region good to ride, are any of them very difficult to travel along on on our bikes - pegaso 650 and BMW 1200 with continental TKC80 dual purpose tyres?
Any particular reason why Figuig? The Rekkam Plateau isn't of much interest. Yes, there's lots of empty space and offroad routes, but it's a bit severe. And Figuig is the hottest town in Morocco.

I categorise Morocco pistes like the French ski pistes, Green is novices, Blue improvers, Red for experts and Black not to be tackled alone or with luggage. My cateorisation of course only applies to the day I rode the piste, the weather conditions of the day, and in the direction I rode it. It really is impossible to give a generalisation of 'unsurfaced tracks in south west Morocco!'

Tim
__________________
"For sheer delight there is nothing like altitude; it gives one the thrill of adventure
and enlarges the world in which you live," Irving Mather (1892-1966)
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 4 Nov 2007
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Wimborne - Dorset
Posts: 83
Hi..

When Rob and I did our tour last tear we used a combination of the ubiquitous and obligatory "military maps on cd" , the Insight Travel Map of Morocco and Sahara Overland.

I have to say that the Insight map proved to be very useful, showing every track and path that we used.

About halfway round the tour we bumped into a group of riders from the North of the UK on some stony track - the guy I ended up speaking to said they'd only got a small map and were 'winging it', so I let him have mine on the condition he returned it to me with a few photos of their journey. Needless to say, despite me writing my postal and email addresses on the map I've never heard from the bloke since.

Oddly enough you can see the map in question in the grasp of the gent second from the left in the photo below, so if you know him, do me a favour and ask him to stick it in the post...!




Greg
__________________
I wish my wheelies were intentional...
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 9 Nov 2007
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Belgium
Posts: 64
You might want to take a look at

i-spog --- explore my trip

If you click the menu option, all tracks are downloadable.

T

Strange MarkLG doesn't recommend this site. After all he was on the same trip...
__________________
Husqvarna 701 Enduro on a round the world trip MotoMorgana
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
buying honda c90/ct90 in morocco panderingpeter Honda Tech 7 21 Oct 2007 02:19
Morocco Easter 2007 chris Travellers Seeking Travellers 1 24 Jan 2007 00:37
Morocco in August? Pedro Rocha North Africa 3 11 Jan 2005 04:17
Tarmac in Morocco? RV North Africa 8 8 Jun 2003 03:36
London to Morocco and back in 2 weeks (advice sought) PaulJ North Africa 30 29 Apr 2003 19:51

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

  • Virginia: April 24-27 2025
  • Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
  • Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
  • CanWest: July 10-13 2025
  • Switzerland: Date TBC
  • Ecuador: Date TBC
  • Romania: Date TBC
  • Austria: Sept. 11-15
  • California: September 18-21
  • France: September 19-21 2025
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 19:16.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top