Morocco, winter route to Merzhouga
 

Hello,

I am planning a trip to Merzhouga, for January-February and am considering the following route across the Mid-Atllas: FES - N8 - AZROU - N13 - MIDELT - N13 - AR-RACHIDIA - N13 - TAFILALT - MERZHOUGA

There is a stretch approximately from FES to Ait-Outella (before MIDELT) which is at high elevation. Does anybody know if it will be practicable on a touring bike? Has anybody done it? I am worrying a bit about snow. It looks like those are main roads but nevertheless...

The same for the Tixxi-n-Tichka pass, between Ouarzazate and Marrakech.

Any help/tips or directions to reliable information on Moroccan roads will be welcome.

Thanks!

The area around Azrou is the most likely for snow, but you'll know about it in advance as the snow barriers would be lowered. I've done that route literally dozens of times. There's one place south of Timhaddite where the road goes through a gorge and there's massive temperature differences between north and south of the hills. One trip it was +4ºC to the north and the temperature dropped to -7ºC within 800m.

Some pics: M22 Volcanic Vents and Cedars

But mostly the route is clear. Tichka pass is less likely, again with snow barriers.

Thanks, Tim, that was very helpful. Still don´t know if taking the chance... The route must be stunning if your pictures do it just half justice.

Congrats and thanks for the Morocco Knowledgebase. It is an amazing piece of work.

Cheers,

Miguel