Are you interested in being more of an adventurer than Indiana Jones? A bike holiday in Morocco is the perfect way to find adventure, mystery, and diverse landscapes as you pedal over mountains, through deserts, and gorges and valleys.
Morocco, with its exotic air, offers vibrant sights and unforgettable experiences for willing two-wheeled sightseers. Mountains, oases unknown to tourists, majestic Imperial Cities, and the rolling dunes of the Sahara beckon cyclists the world over to bring their bikes to pedal on North Africa’s most inviting terrain.
Where to Start:
For those planning a solo Morocco Bike Holiday, it might best to first get your bearings by flying into the “Red City,” Marrakech. You can get one of many various budget Morocco flights flying into the Marrakesh airport. The exuberant life held within this city’s ancient walls are an inspiring starting point for any adventure seeker. Moreover, Marrakesh is a great location form which to get some supplies; fresh and dried fruits, nuts, and other types of energizing food are available within the medina (which is better than buying from those vendors with inflated prices aligned in the central and famous Djem Alfna Square).
While it is possible to visit Morocco on bike and put together on your own itinerary, many who have come before have pointed out that maps are not as accurate as they should be for such an adventure. There is also a shortage of facilities to stop at and people to ask if you get lost. With that said, perhaps this is the kind of adventure you seek. For others who are wanting to join a Morocco bike tour, then start by contacting those tour operators who offer quality bike trips during the best times of the year. We at Journey Beyond Travel put together private and customized bike tours for small groups and families throughout the year.
From Marrakesh, it’s a long and arduous climb over the Tizi N Techka towards Ouarzazate. Numerous bikers choose to take private transport over this High Atlas Mountains pass in order to not only save their legs, but to start in Ouarzazate or farther along.
When to Go:
By far, the best months to go biking is when the weather in Morocco (less rain and not as hot in the southern region) is cooperating. The best time to cycle is in the latter weeks of March, through April, and the first two weeks of May. This time period, followed by the latter two weeks of September and through October make the best periods in which to plan your biking holiday.
In order to get some quality biking, you’ll need at least ten days in country. This will give you plenty of time to bike down south and also time to spend the night in the Sahara Desert, with plenty of time to return to Marrakesh.
Where to Continue:
From Ouarzazate, the best route is to continue through the Draa Valley towards Zagora. Here, you can plan on a trip to the nearby region of M’hamid to spend the night in the desert, but save this excursion for Merzouga (farther east) if you are heading in that direction.
From Zagora, the best route to take is one of the back roads that take you to Tazzarine. With 4×4 support (hired in Marrakesh or better arranged before your tour begins), you can then head to Erfoud for the night. Then, it’s a ride straight south to Merzouga (start riding early due to the heat!) for a camel ride and a night under the stars in the Erg Chebbi region of the Sahara Desert.
This is a good point to take a break as well before heading on the back road towards Tinjedad, where you can have lunch (and spend the night) in El Khorbat, which houses an artists retreat and amazing Berber heritage and agricultural museum. Additionally, they serve a wonderful lunch and make a good resting point before heading further afield.
Following, riding through the Todra Gorge and even connecting it to the Dades Valley is an option. One small loop that should not be missed is this smallish horse-shoe loop just before Morocco’s rose capital, El Kelaa Mgouna (Klat Mgouna). A night in Skoura (the Valley of 1000 Kasbahs) makes a splendid stopover before heading to Ait Ben Haddou (very worthwhile) and then onwards over the mountains back towards Marrakesh.
Overall, easy, hard or somewhere in between, biking is still an outdoor activity that will get your blood pumping and allow you to enjoy a slower type of travel through Morocco’s southern gems. If in doubt about your ability (most of the biking is relatively flat, except for the Todra Gorge and Dades Valley), hire a driver and Land Rover for that added security and comfort. With such a magnitude of beauty, your bike trip through this mystifying country really might end up feeling just like a magic carpet ride you have always dreamt about!
Check out the Morocco bike tours page here at Journey Beyond Travel.
