A beautiful mountain biking journey through the breathtaking landscapes of the High Atlas.
This mountain biking trip through the heart of the High Atlas is overwhelming. As you travel from one side of this massive mountain range to the other, you'll discover the great variety of landscapes, the impressive peaks of the Mgoun mountain range (4010 meters), the life of the nomadic herders who inhabit the region, and the traditional Berber villages.
Total distance: 455 km (optional 485 km)
Total elevation gain: 11.655 m / long route 12.540 hm
Note: You need to be well-trained for this trip!
Day 1: Arrival
Arrival and meeting at the airport in Marrakech, followed by transfer to a 3 star hotel (including dinner and breakfast).
Day 2: Transfer to Demnate in the High Atlas and start of the MTB trip
This morning, we depart early by minibus to the foot of the High Atlas. Just past the town of Demnate, our mountain biking adventure begins. First, we visit the "pont naturel Imi-N-Ifri," a naturally formed bridge. We have a tough day ahead of us. We bike into the High Atlas Mountains, passing through traditional villages. Along the way, we’ll stop at a site where dinosaur footprints have been found. After a challenging ride through stunning scenery, our day ends in the green Ait Bougemez valley, also known as the Valley of the Happy. We’ll overnight in a Berber guesthouse in the valley.
88 km and 2630 m elevation gain
(55 miles and 8600 feet)
Day 3: From the Ait Bougemez Valley to Aguerzga
Today we have a stunning but challenging stage ahead of us. We continue cycling through the beautiful Ait Bougemez Valley. You will increasingly understand why this is called the Valley of the Happy. After the village of Tabant, the climb to Tizi-n-Ait Imi (2914 meters) begins. From the pass, we have a breathtaking view of both the Ait Bougemez Valley and the often snow-capped peaks of the Mgoun mountain range. After the pass, we descend to a high plateau where nomads often graze their herds.
After the plateau, we climb to the Tizi-n’Ait Hamad pass, the highest drivable pass in Morocco at 3005 meters. The descent is magnificent: we ride through traditional villages, eventually arriving in the isolated but beautifully situated village of Aguerzka. We’ll overnight in a gîte d’étape (guesthouse) run by a welcoming Berber family.
95 km and 2695 m elevation gain
(59 miles and 8840 feet)
Day 4: Impressive Dades Gorge
We cross the MGoun River and climb to a desert-like plateau. After 19 km, we reach the stunning Dades Gorge. Although the route from here is paved, the gorge remains impressive with its traditional villages, unique rock formations (called "monkey fingers"), and the breathtaking views of the Dades Gorge.
Overnight stay in a Berber guesthouse near Msemrir.
68 km and 1350 m elevation gain
(42 miles and 4430 feet)
Day 5: Undiscovered area / Through the heart of the High Atlas
From Msemrir, we head into a desolate area rarely visited by tourists. Along the way, you might encounter nomads with their herds. Eventually, we pass through Zerkane, a traditional village in the middle of nowhere. The route includes a few tough climbs.
Today, we camp at a beautiful spot and enjoy the stunning starry sky.
50 km and 1550 m elevation gain
(31 miles and 5085 feet)
Day 6: Zerkane - Imilchil – Lac Tislit
After a tough climb, we reach a plateau that resembles Mongolia. There’s a good chance you'll encounter herders with their flocks and even see some khaïma tents (nomad tents). After climbing a small pass, we descend into the green valley of the Ait Hadidou tribe. This tribe is famous for its annual moussem, where women are allowed to choose a husband 😊. Our overnight stay is in a guesthouse with a view of Lake Tislit.
Legend has it that this lake, along with Lake Isli, was formed out of the heartbreak of an engaged couple whose parents forbade them from marrying each other.
However, you don’t get that beautiful view of the lake for free, as the route, although short, starts with a challenging climb in the morning.
The owner is a good friend of ours and has been our guide for MTB trips for many years.
47 km and 1530 m elevation gain
(29 miles and 5020 feet)
Day 7: Imilchil to Anergui with optional visit to the cave dwellings of Aoujgal
We bid farewell to the friendly guesthouse owner. After a short climb, we descend into the oasis of Tassent. Then, we climb to a beautiful plateau with some traditional houses and villages. From the Tizi Tibarchit pass (2525 meters), we have a fantastic view over the Anergui valley and the surrounding mountains. After the pass, a 10 km long descent takes us to the very isolated village of Anergui, where we settle in with a welcoming Berber family.
From the guesthouse balcony, you'll have a magnificent view over the valley.
For the more adventurous, it’s possible to take an extra loop via Aoujgal. Hundreds of years ago, people lived in cave dwellings here. These can be seen from the road (visiting the dwellings on foot is at your own risk).
70 km and 1540 m elevation gain / long route 100 km and 2427 m elevation gain
(44 miles and 4990 feet /long route 62 miles and 7960 feet )
Day 8: The stunning gorge of the Assif Melloul
We end the bike tour through one of the most beautiful gorges in Morocco: the Assif Melloul Gorge. "Assif" means river in Berber, and "Melloul" means white. The route winds through this fantastic gorge. At the end, we have a magnificent view of the rock formation "La Cathédrale." At the foot of this rock, we load the bikes onto the vehicles and head toward Marrakech.
Overnight stay in a 3-star hotel on a half-board basis.
35 km and 360 m elevation gain
(22 miles and 1180 feet)
Day 9: Transfer to the airport
Transfer from the hotel to the airport.
