Road Cycle Morocco - Atlas to Desert

by KE Adventure Travel
Region
Atlas Mountains
Duration
9 days
Guided Status
Guided
Difficulty
Moderate
D-Score™
D4 - Epic

Overview

Early and late in the year, Morocco is the perfect destination for a road cycling holiday, with predictably good weather and lots of low-cost flight options into Marrakech. This classic cycling holiday follows generally good tarmac roads, biking across the Atlas Mountains at the Tizi n'Tichka and then crossing the Jebel Sahro ranges by way of the Valley of the Roses, the Dades Gorge, the Tizi n'Tazazert and the rugged pre-Saharan region of Tadrart. From the desert frontier at the oasis town of Zagora, we then return to Marrakech via the palm plantations and kasbahs of the Draa Valley and the old caravan-route towns of Agdz and Ouarzazate.The whole range of Moroccan experiences awaits us - the colourful street vendors and Berber acrobats of Marrakech's central Djema el-Fna square, the exquisite flavours of the local cuisine, spectacular views of the rugged Atlas peaks and the stunning landscape of kasbahs and palm trees in the Ounila and Draa valleys, as we cycle southwards through the Jebel Sahro region to the edge of the Sahara. Covering 650 kilometres in seven days of cycling and involving some superb days of climbing and descending on sinuous mountain roads, this is a brilliant long distance cycling holiday. This is a trip for regular weekend road cyclists who will enjoy the challenge of biking on some of North Africa's finest mountain roads. Accommodation is in a mix of simple hotels, with 1 night in a basic but charming gite. Stunning scenery, atmospheric overnight accommodation and a magnificent point-to-point route make this an unforgettable experience.

Daily Ride Schedule

Day 1: Meet at the group hotel in Marrakech.

Meet at the group hotel in Marrakech.

Day 2: Short transfer, then cycle via the Tizi n'Tichka (2260m) and the town of Telouet to Ait Benhaddou.

83 km 1330 m

D2

Short transfer, then cycle via the Tizi n'Tichka (2260m) and the town of Telouet to Ait Benhaddou.

Day 3: Visit Ait Benhaddou, transfer to Ouarzazate and cycle eastwards to Boumalne Dades.

110 km 950 m

D3

Visit Ait Benhaddou, transfer to Ouarzazate and cycle eastwards to Boumalne Dades.

Day 4: Cycle to M'Semrir (1950m) at the top of the Dades Gorge. Return to Boumalne Dades.

115 km 1650 m

D3

Cycle to M'Semrir (1950m) at the top of the Dades Gorge. Return to Boumalne Dades.

Day 5: Cycle across the Tizi n'Tazazert (2300m) to N'Kob.

85 km 1130 m

D2

Cycle across the Tizi n'Tazazert (2300m) to N'Kob.

Day 6: Ride westward to Tasmoumt and then across the arid region of Tadrart to the Draa Valley and Zagora.

95 km 330 m

D2

Ride westward to Tasmoumt and then across the arid region of Tadrart to the Draa Valley and Zagora.

Day 7: Cycle northwards from Zagora to Agdz (935m) on the west side of the Draa Valley.

93 km 640 m

D2

Cycle northwards from Zagora to Agdz (935m) on the west side of the Draa Valley.

Day 8: Cycle from Agdz to Ouarzazate and transfer to Marrakech.

70 km 1170 m

D2

Cycle from Agdz to Ouarzazate and transfer to Marrakech.

Day 9: Your holiday ends after breakfast.

Your holiday ends after breakfast.

Accommodation & Services

Accommodation

Hotel

What's Included

Airport transfers
Catering services
Accommodation arrangements
Bike rental
Mechanical support
Support vehicle following all rides

About the Atlas Mountains

Read full regional guide