Authentic Morocco by Bicycle

South of the world-famous city of Marrakesh lies a landscape of raw, natural beauty – perfect for bicycle touring. Here, rugged mountains reveal millions of years of the earth’s history, with craggy escarpments and stone-littered slopes forming an awe-inspiring backdrop. Red earth adobe architecture and lush palm oases reflect the ingenuity of Berber communities who, over millennia, have tamed these unforgiving lands. Ancient kasbahs perched on hilltops speak to the former glories of the Trans-Saharan Route, while the droning hum of daily calls to prayer reverberates across the valleys, signalling an unwavering commitment to Islam. This 8-day cycling tour takes us through the spectacular terrain of the High Atlas Mountains and the pre-Saharan desert to uncover southern Morocco at its most authentic.

Meeting in the bustling old quarter of Marrakesh, we whisk ourselves over the High Atlas for an inaugural ride to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ait Benhaddou, an ancient fortified village built out of mudbrick. We then weave through barren foothills to reach the oasis town of Skoura, with its expansive palm groves sprawling across the plateau. Heading further east, we then ride through the Valley of the Roses before an off-road adventure through a stark, silent world of rocky desert inhabited by semi-nomadic Berbers who live in caves. After a night overlooking the beautiful Dades Gorge, we head south and climb over the red-stone massifs of the Jbel Saghro Mountains to reach the town of N’Kob, lying on the edge of a pre-Saharan landscape. We spend two nights here amidst rammed earth kasbahs and head out on a scenic loop through a diverse landscape of farmlands, rocky ridges, and dry riverbeds, with little company other than the occasional herd of goats, sheep, or pack of donkeys crossing our path. On Day 8 we drive back to Marrakesh where the tour ends with a celebratory dinner and a final night in the city.

The split of paved vs non paved road surfaces on this tour is roughly 50/50. The tarmac roads are in varying conditions - some very good, others more shabby with potholes and debris. Non-paved surfaces include vehicle-width gravel and dirt paths. There are short sections of true off-road cycling when we go through dry riverbeds. The non-paved portions of this trip are very fun for mountain bikers, though remember that some parts of the route consist of loose gravel and sandy patches that could prove hazardous. Additionally, some of the descents can be rocky, which requires extra caution. Though much of the route is on quiet countryside roads with minimal traffic, we will share the roads with cars, motorbikes, and buses near towns and popular attractions. Rainfall is not uncommon in Morocco, especially at higher elevations, at the time we schedule our tours. We generally ride rain or shine, but based on the guide’s discretion or your comfort level, modifications to the planned route can be made. It’s all part of the adventure!