Endless trails between the barren Atlas Mountains and the sand dunes of the Sahara
Morocco is still uncharted territory for mountain biking. Our adventure begins in the vibrant city of Marrakech with its palaces, mosques and bustling souks. From there, we venture into the rugged Atlas Mountains with their remote Berber villages and their enduring flora and fauna.
Morocco: exotic and entirely different
Starting point: the High Atlas Mountains
Destination: the Draa Valley
Date: October 15. to 23. 2017
Included services: 9 day pilot mountain bike trip to Morocco, 6 days guided biking, all accommodation, breakfast, dinner, snacks on route, support vehicle with luggage transport, transfers in Morocco, bike guide and city guide. Not included: air tickets.
Price: € 1.290,- (minimum group size: 6 persons)
Tip: STA-Travel in Innsbruck has specialized on the needs of our customers and offers competitive rates on convenient flights.
Get a taste of the mountain bike trip – click to enlarge!
Program (Mountain Biking in Morocco)
Points of interest en route include Mount M’Goun (Djebel Mgoun, 4068m), the world renowned Dadès Gorge and one of the most remote mountain areas of North Africa around Mount Sarhro (Djebel Saghro, 2712m). You will be guided by Austrian mountain guide Paul Held throughout the entire tour. For a more pleasant experience, our luggage will be transported on an off-road vehicle.
Day 1: Arrival at Marrakech, pick-up at airport, get-together at the hotel, first night at the Hotel Riad in Marrakech
Day 2: Transfer by minibus and jeep to Demnate and Ait Adel in the High Atlas Mountains. First bike tour through the Tessaoute Tal. Overnight stay at Guest House Ait-Ali. Bike route: 40 km up and down, 700 vertical meters.
Day 3: We follow the river Tessaoute to Amezri near Jbel Mgoun. Overnight stay at a traditional Berber house in Imin Oulaoune. Bike route: 50 km up and down, 600 vertical meters.
Day 4: A more challenging section takes us through the Roses Valley to Dadès Gorge. Overnight stay at a guesthouse. Bike route: 50 km up and down, 700 vertical meters.
Day 5: We continue into the Anti Atlas range to the highest point of the entire trip at Jbel Saghro. Overnight stay with a Berber family at the Auberge Bab n Ali. Bike route: 50 km, mainly uphill, vertical gain 1000 meters.
Day 6: We cross the rugged central massif of Jbel Saghro and spend the night at the Berber village of Tagmoute. Bike route: 40 km, some uphill sections and a final descent on a single trail, 700 vertical meters.
Day 7: A fantastic finish heading south to Nkob and into the Draa Valley, lunch under palm trees. Back to Agdez and Ouarzazate by car. Overnight stay at the Hotel Riad in Marrakech. Bike route: 30 km through ever changing countryside, approx. 200 vertical meters.
Day 8: Guided city tour of Marrakech: Jemaa el-Fnaa (the square of pleasures and the beheaded), the city walls (12 km long and dating from the 12 th century), the souks (a labyrinth of narrow alleys, passages and vaults with bazaars) or to the Koutoubia Mosque (the 77m-high landmark of the city). There will be time for strolling, shopping or visiting a traditional Hamam bathhouse, Overnight stay at the Hotel Riad.
Day 9: Enough time for a pleasant breakfast, transfer to Marrakech airport, departure.
This program may be subject to change due to group requirements, weather or road conditions!
Physical fitness and skills:
- Total length of bike routes: 280 km in 6 days
- Daily distances: approx. 60km and 1.200m vertical gain.
- Routes include considerable uphill sections
- Safe mountain biking on single trails in terrain of medium difficulty
- E-Bikers welcome, daily recharge possible
Photo on top of page by Slimane Baadoud. Bikers at Jbel Saghro.