MTB TOURS IN MOROCCOMountain Biking Atlas Mountains

At the airport, we are met by our driver and then have a 30-minute transfer to our riad in the city’s historic centre. We pass some royal palaces and then travel through the millennia-old city wall into the Medina and the pulsating heart of Marrakech. The tranquillity we find inside the riad contrasts with the alarm outside; this really is an oasis of peace, and in general, Marrakech will surprise you with the lack of hustle and bustle (within the old town, at least). We have a short briefing before taking a short trip through the souks (market streets), cruising between the snake charmers and fortune-tellers in the unforgettable Jemaa el-Fna, and eating dinner together at a restaurant that lets the atmosphere of North Africa sweep us away.

After a relaxing morning building up our bikes and checking our kit, we load the roof racks of the 4×4 or minibus and leave Marrakech to arrive in Imlil, a great little town that truly feels like the gateway to the Atlas. This morning, we drive for 1.5 hours up to Imlil and into the shadow of Toubkal’s towering 4,167 m peak (snow-covered for most of the year). Continuing in the support vehicles to the Tizi n’Tamatert pass (2,279 m), we begin the day’s ride: mostly downhill and a great chance to let the bikes roll and give the climbing legs a break! Contouring around the valley to Ouanesskra, we enjoy panoramic views down the valley and up to the Toubkal range itself. Then the real trails start to kick in, as we descend through a number of tiny villages to Tamguist, sometimes on fairly challenging singletrack, but always well used (by the locals) and always well surfaced. From here, we follow a scenic dirt road downhill to Imsker, where we have lunch in the shady setting next to the river (15 km done). Soon after the village, we turn right and head onto a steep downhill section, crossing the river and climbing steeply to arrive on a very nice technical singletrack. This is true, entertaining trail biking at its finest, and as the rocks give way to muddy fields, orchards and irrigation channels, we have time to reflect on the day’s descents. You can choose to ride the 10 km back to the hotel on asphalt or take the transfer to the guesthouse.

Meals included: lunch, dinner
Distance covered: 39 km / 23 miles

We begin biking with a steady climb, gaining height easily, and then descend on a fun, rocky singletrack that is regularly used by villagers on their way to and from their fields. Heading towards Tinzert, the trail gets rougher and requires some good trail skills and a careful choice of line. You are rewarded with genuine nature and the friendliness of the people. From here, the trail, still mostly downhill, becomes easier, and we cross a traditional salt mine to arrive at n’Ouisadene. Heading south-west, we pass through the villages of Toror, Anraz and Angoini, mostly on entertaining little singletracks between the garden terraces. Descending into Ouirgane for the first time, we enjoy the panorama of the lake and wooded foothills, heading down through the village on forest singletrack to the lakeside. We skirt the lake and then climb up onto the prominent hill above the village. From here, there are some great singletracks that lead all the way to our hotel. An easy day’s ride, but not without its fair share of fun and challenge.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Distance covered: 40 km

After breakfast, we begin with a short transfer uphill to Anougaldalen village and start cycling uphill at an altitude of about 1,300 metres. Here and there, we cross a clear mountain stream, so you can enjoy the welcome refreshment of an occasional wet foot! At the top of the valley, we turn east and continue uphill on a good trail to the village of Ourmer. The trail becomes increasingly technical as we climb further towards the 1,800 m pass, and we need to walk the bikes up the last short, steep section. We have a small picnic at the pass and prepare mentally for a wonderful but not risk-free downhill on fast-flowing narrow trails. Here the mountain sides can be steep, so it is not the time to lose momentum and fall. We then find ourselves submerged in a river valley that gets rockier and sometimes very troublesome as far as the village of Semghort (big rock-riding challenges for everyone here). We take a short breath and rest on a short dirt road section before turning to the bottom of the river valley again, where several kilometres of quick, simple but immensely fun biking await us all the way to Imgdal, with plenty of water and splash-downs after rains or in the early season. We have a late but sumptuous lunch in the shade of silver poplar trees and then go back to the hotel for après-bike and poolside relaxation.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Distance covered: 48 km