MOUNTAIN BIKING MOROCCOM'Goun Valley Mountain Bike Trip
through Central High Atlas
Difficulty
Medium
Min Age
14 +
Duration
7 Days
Somewhere between the rose gardens of Kelaa M’Gouna and the volcanic silence of Djebel Saghro, this m’goun valley bike trip stops feeling like a bike trip and starts feeling like an expedition. Seven days, changing landscape by landscape: fragrant valleys, red canyon walls, and nights spent in homes and tents far from anywhere resembling a hotel.
This isn’t a route with a safety net the whole way. On day five, the support vehicle drops away entirely, mule paths only, ancient rock carvings, and a stretch of the High Atlas that sees almost no other riders. By the time you reach the Draa Valley on the final day, green with palm oases after days of red rock and volcanic ridgelines, you’ll understand why this m’goun valley bike trip has a reputation among riders who’ve done it.
Departure / Ending Location: Marrakech
Departure Time: 9 AM
Includes & Excludes
✔️ Transport pick us from Marrakech and get us back to Marrakech
✔️ Assistance Transport Minivan to pick us some times from place to place (for big group)
✔️ Accommodations
✔️ All Meals during this Trip & Mineral Water
✔️ Full suspensions Mountain Bike with Helmet
✔️ English and French speaking local guide
❌ Travel Inssurance
❌ Drinks
❌ Accommodation in Marrakech
Essential Equipment
We recommend packing the following items:
– Normal daily clothes
– Padded cycling shorts and gloves
– Breathable top or cycling jersey
– Sunglasses/eye protection
– Stiff-soled shoes suitable for cycling
– Waterproofs and long cycling trousers
– For the earlier departures you may need some warmer layers
– Sun cream
PER PERSON
800 €
Tour
Itinerary
Departure
Day 1
Marrakech – Hotel or Riad
We meet you on your arrival at the airport in Morocco, and then a 30-minute transfer takes you to your evening accommodation, a comfortable hotel in the centre of Marrakech. No activities are planned on the arrival day, so we simply have dinner together and discuss the first days of our trip.
Day 2
Marrakech – Telouet – Ait Ben Haddou – Ouarzazate
Early in the morning, we depart in a 4×4 or minibus heading south. At the breathtaking Tizi n’Tichka pass, we turn left towards the Telouet oasis. The track ends at the famous Ksar Ait Ben Haddou, where we load our bikes onto the vehicles for a transfer to Ouarzazate.
(Long tour: 63 km / 39 miles and 631 m / 2,070 ft elevation gain. Short tour: 35 km / 22 miles)
Distance covered: 63 km / 39 miles
Meals included: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodation: hotel in Ouarzazate
We depart for an incomparable adventure! A transfer takes us to Kelaa M’Gouna, known for its annual rose festival. Our route takes us over a desert plateau towards the first pass of the High Atlas. A long climb brings us to the Talouite pass, from which we have a marvellous view over the Valley of the Birds. The landscape here is breathtaking because of the contrast between the red soil and the green of the oases. Next, we descend into the still untouched Talouite Valley, with its pristine landscape. Lunch is on the bank of the river. After lunch, we cross the river and follow the splendid El Hot Valley with its traditional kasbahs (Berber castles). Lodging with local residents (Short tour: 35 km / 22 miles and 600 m / 2,000 ft elevation gain; long tour: 42 km / 26 miles and 922 m / 3,024 ft elevation gain)
Day 3
Dades Gorge – M’Goun River – Saghro Mountain Range
We follow the splendid Dades Gorge to the city of Boulmane Dades. The long tour crosses the M’Goun River and climbs some passes. After the climb at Boulmane Dades, we have a nice view over the oases. We continue and cross a large desert plateau. Perhaps we come across a group of nomads with their herds. We arrive in a small village at the foot of the Saghro Mountains. Lodging with a local resident
(Short tour: 40 km / 25 miles and 400 m / 1,300 ft elevation gain)
Day 4
Saghro Mountains – Tazazarte (2,500 m) – Bab Ali
We ride into the volcanic Saghro Mountains and climb to the Tazazarte Pass (2,500 m / 7,490 ft). Lunch is at the pass, with a fantastic view. In the afternoon, we have a long descent. We set up camp as we enter the canyons opposite the impressive rock formation of Bab n’Ali. Lodging in tents.
(40 km / 25 miles and 800 m / 2,600 ft elevation gain). Afterwards, there is the possibility of a 1-hour walk to the Iminiougoulize cascades.
Day 5
Bab Ali – Iki Village – Azib Amguis – N’Kob
We leave the unpaved road and follow a mule path through a scenic landscape. The route now becomes even more challenging. The support vehicle is not present during this part of the trip. We travel further to the impressive rock of Bab n’Ali and on to the Azib Amguis Valley. Lunch is in N’Kob. After lunch, we can add about 45 km / 28 miles by climbing to passes. During this part, we visit some rock drawings. Lodging with a local resident.
(Short tour: 37 km / 23 miles and 600 m / 1,968 ft elevation gain; long tour: 80 km / 50 miles and 800 m / 2,624 ft elevation gain)
Day 6
N’Kob – Transfer to Marrakech
After breakfast, we load the bikes onto the vehicles and drive to the splendid Draa Valley. We unload the bikes here and ride the last short stage on our mountain bikes through one of the most beautiful valleys of Morocco, with a succession of traditional villages lying in green oases.
(30 km) After lunch, we drive to Marrakech via the Tizi n’Tichka pass, where we check into your hotel or riad.
Day 7
Transfer from the Hotel to the Airport
This cycling adventure through Morocco comes to an end today. There are no activities planned, and you are free to leave at any time; the trip ends after breakfast. Those on group flights will be taken to the airport in time for their flight home.
Explore Marrakech if you have time before your flight. The best places to get a view over the square are the Grand Balcon du Café Glacier and Café de France. You have to buy a drink, but at MAD 20 it’s worth it for a great view.
TREKKING
BIKING
LOCATION & HOURS
Douar Aroumd, Imlil, Asni, Al Haouz, Marrakech
Biking in Morocco is a locally owned tour company offering authentic cycling and trekking adventures across Morocco. Led by experienced local guides Abderrahim and Lahcen Idmansour, we share our knowledge, culture, and passion for Morocco to create memorable experiences for travelers from around the world.
