Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > North Africa
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 29 Sep 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Hanoi, Vietnam
Posts: 360
Midelt to Imilchil - Morocco

Hi all,
I'm just getting the last few bits together for a trip to Morocco. I should reach Ceuta around the 13th Oct. The plan is to head for Midelt to pick up the track to Imilchil, then to head south to link up with the Todra Gorge and on to Nekob (M5 Sahara Overland). I'll then most likely head for Zagora, Tagounite and across to Erg Chebbi.
The second half of the route is well documented in Sahara Overland, but I was wondering if anyone had any way points for the Midelt - Imilchil - Tinerhir stretch? I've been looking/reading around, I've seen Eric DN's site Two 400XR in Morocco
A lot of good info and some great pics, he has also kindly posted his way points, unfortunately I don't have any mapping software and my old Garmin Etrex wouldn't be compatible anyway. If anyone has any way points written down that they wouldn't mind sharing that would be great, particularly for the start point which i'm imagining could be tricky to be sure of.
From other posts on here it looks like there will be a lot of us out there around the same time so i look forward to hopefully meeting up with some of you. I'll be in a lightly loaded HJ60 (grey/blue with white rear windows and UK plates) so if i can be of any use to any bikers heading the same way, feel free to chuck any gear in the back.

Happy travels
Sam
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 29 Sep 2008
Chris Scott's Avatar
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jun 2000
Posts: 4,911
no need for GPS

Hi Sam, fyi we did it last April with just paper maps and managed fine. Once you're out of Midelt you're on the way.
Imichil is actually a short diversion north; we overnighted in Agoudal and were in Dades by lunch next day.
It's a great drive; enjoy your trip.

Ch
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 29 Sep 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Netherlands
Posts: 476
Circuit de Jaffar

Hi Sam,

Be careful with that stretch! This time of year there are frequent rains in the area and that road can be flushed away. We did that route in October 2005 and it was truly the most horrific trip of my life! Stretches were completely washed away, parts were so narrow and hanging towards the valley that I was truly afraid that we would drop over the edge. My partner couldn't stay in the car, she was at the valley side! It was too scary. When we arrived in Agoudal, we learned that we were the first car to come through for almost 2 months. Later we met a group of motor bikers who turned back on that stretch! We couldn't turn back because it was to narrow. And the bloody locals in Midelt who we asked about the route said it was fine! I am still suffering from 'post traumatic stress' when I am in the mountains with the Cruiser!

I am not saying you shouldn't do it because it is really beautiful but check very careful with several sources if the route is ok! Preferably with Europeans who have done it very recently.

ps; when you get to Agoudal, Ouberge de Ibrahim is a nice place to stay, and pretty much the only place.

Cheers,

Noel
exploreafrica.web-log.nl
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 29 Sep 2008
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: UK
Posts: 8
Quote:
Originally Posted by Niva Say Never View Post
...... to link up with the Todra Gorge
Sam, I have just had news that the Todra Gorge is closed due to landslides, but hopefully it should be ok by the time you are down that way.
__________________
www.ukgser.com
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 29 Sep 2008
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Portugal
Posts: 7
We’ve visited Morocco in August in an expedition conducted by Landlousã (www.landlousa.com). So I send you part of the track in gpx format that I believe you are interested.
(P.S. In order to be accepted I've changed the file extension to .txt. Please change it again- I Hope I 'm not doing anything wrong. If so, sorry)
Regards.
João Carlos
Attached Files
File Type: txt 2_Marrocos_2008_Ifrane_Ilmilchil_Todra_Tamtettoucht.txt (64.2 KB, 625 views)
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 29 Sep 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Hanoi, Vietnam
Posts: 360
Thanks a lot guys, much appreciated.

Chris - Thanks, i've been looking on the 742, IGN Maroc and the IGN 1:1M, i assumed once on the track it should be fairly obvious, will ask around in Midelt to help with the start. I should have plenty of pics when i get back, so if you're still in need i'll send you the link once they're up on Flickr.

Noel - Thanks for the warning, i'll be carefull. It sounds like there may have been a bit of work gone on since then, so fingers crossed. Even so, i know things can change overnight, so i'll be sure to find out what i can before i start.

Paul - Thanks for the heads up.

Does anyone have any more info on the Todra gorge link? Would be easy to divert down the Dades instead but any more recent info greatfully received
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 29 Sep 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Hanoi, Vietnam
Posts: 360
Joao Carlos,
Sorry to leave you out, you must have posted whilst i was writing the last reply. Unfortunately i can't view any gpx files, my gps doesn't support it so i don't have any of the software. Thanks all the same
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 29 Sep 2008
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Portugal
Posts: 7
Sorry to bother you, but I think you can. I believe you have a garmin, so go to www.gpsbabel.org and download the software. It converts gpx formats to other formats, like garmin (gdb I presume).

Regards,

Joao Carlos
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 29 Sep 2008
Tim Cullis's Avatar
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: London and Granada Altiplano
Posts: 3,119
These should be enough for Midelt to Imilchil

N32 40.939 W4 44.932 road heading southwest from Midelt
N32 32.574 W4 53.224 start of the Jaffar Circus difficult section
N32 32.302 W4 53.777 bottom of the Circus
N32 31.005 W5 05.038 end of first difficult section
N32 29.997 W5 10.578 junction head south
N32 19.498 W5 16.082 start of second difficult section
N32 08.979 W5 34.556 turn north for Imilchil
N32 11.802 W5 38.510 Hotel Tislite Bride (on the lake)

Be prepared for maybe 60 river crossings (actually the same river, 60 times) during the second difficult section.

Todra Gorge has had severe flooding again--a week or so ago--but it's likely that by mid October you'll be able to get through.

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
  #10  
Old 29 Sep 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Hanoi, Vietnam
Posts: 360
Quote:
Originally Posted by joaocarloscardoso View Post
Sorry to bother you, but I think you can. I believe you have a garmin, so go to www.gpsbabel.org and download the software. It converts gpx formats to other formats, like garmin (gdb I presume).

Regards,

Joao Carlos

Sorry, maybe my mistake. Thanks for the link, i'll have a look. My garmin doesn't have any mapping capability (its getting on a bit now!) so i assumed none of the downloadable files would be of any use to me. I'll check it out though.

Thanks a lot Tim, much appreciated. I know its all dependant on recent weather, but we're not talking raised air intake territory for the crossings are we??
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 30 Mar 2009
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Netherlands
Posts: 14
We are planning to do the Midelt - Cirque de Jaffar - Todra Gorge - Tinerhir route in July.
Travelling with our kids in a LR 110, a LR130 camper conversion and our Toyo KDJ-120.

Is this route doable with a rather large LR camper?
Can it be done in one day or is a bivac(?) at Agoudal or near the lake at Ilmchil a better option?
What is scenically the nicest route: from Ilmchil/Agoudal the loop to Boumalne de Dades and Tinerhir, or the route through the Todra Gorge?

We are plannning two days on Camping le Soleil near Tinerhir for the kids to relax anyway.
We do have allmost 4 weeks to spend in Morocco so time is on our side.

Thanks for your help and kind regards,

Daan

PS. I do have the Sahara Overland Bible and pre-ordered Morocco Overland, hopefully it will arrive before we leave. :-)

Last edited by Cyclops; 31 Mar 2009 at 22:17.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 30 Mar 2009
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 41
Further to Cyclops, I am also planning to do a similar route very soon. Has anyone been through by 4x4 since the September floods? Is the route passable? Are the multiple river crossings running high?

thanks

Reinhard
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 7 Apr 2009
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Netherlands
Posts: 52
Hi , did most of that route last 2 weeks.
The roads are fine, with some wash-out damage due to rain.
Even the Todra gorge is open, with a well surfaced road.
There's still a lot of snow in the High Atlas, but roads are well cleared.
Joey
__________________
Landrover Discovery 2 Td5 with a Garmin 276c and a great co-driveress
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 7 Apr 2009
Contributing Vendor
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Northumberland, UK
Posts: 556
Latest from Morocco

Hi all,

The weather´s been terrible but at least the rain has stopped. Imilchil was cut off by heavy snow in the Atlas. (2 metres of snow this year in the cedar forests too.)

Zagora was devastated by floods and the water was a metre over the bridge by the hotel Asmaa. Oued Rheris is still unpassable and Lac Maider should be bypassed. Lac Iriki was pretty soogy too (dont ask how I found that out!)

Hi Joey, glad you´re home safe - talk soon,

Jojo
__________________
Atlas Overland - Specialist adventure tour company providing off-road holidays for 4x4 enthusiasts in Europe and North Africa.
Tours to Morocco, Iceland, Arctic Circle, Portugal, Alps, Pyrenees, Eastern Europe, Corsica, and UK weekend tours.
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 8 Apr 2009
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Netherlands
Posts: 14
Hi Joey and Jojo,

Would love to see pictures of your trip. We still have 3 months ahead of us before departure.

Can you please comment on:

Is the route Midelt - Cirque de Jaffar - Todra Gorge - Tinerhir doable with a LR 130 camper?
Can it be done in one day or is a bivac(?) at Agoudal or near the lake at Ilmchil a better option?
What is scenically the nicest route: from Ilmchil/Agoudal the loop to Boumalne de Dades and Tinerhir, or the route through the Todra Gorge?

Thanks in advance for your reply.

Kind regards,

Daan
Reply With Quote
Reply


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
Morocco - Midelt to Imilchil via Cirque de Jafar hyawj Route Planning 6 31 May 2010 19:37
Ripley: bring your Morocco maps for 'Hidden Morocco: Get off the Beaten Track' Tim Cullis HU Travellers Meetings - UK 3 30 Jun 2008 10:26
Anyone in Morocco right now? nickzx6 Travellers Seeking Travellers 17 7 Dec 2007 23:26
Morocco Pedro Travellers Seeking Travellers 0 7 Feb 2003 17:39

 
 

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!

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 23:23.