Atlas Mountains road cycling tour
Cycle Touring, Bike Trailers, Cargo Bikes, Touring Extras, and probably lots more. ... I wasn't ready for the dusty roads and the skinny donkeys pulling those ... The High Atlas mountains stretched out in front of us, but we still managed to set off ...
A superb spring or autumn road cycling holiday to Morocco. With its roots in Africa, but charged with eastern exoticism, Morocco represents the closest truly different destination to Britain. Morocco is a vast wilderness of towering mountains and desolate desert where rural life has hardly changed in hundreds of years.
With an ever expanding network of quiet tarmac roads throughout the Atlas Mountains there has never been a better time for road cyclists to visit. Starting and finishing in the capital of the Moroccan south, Marrakech, this 10 day tour takes us across the High Atlas Mountains in the shadow of snow-capped peaks, before crossing the Souss Valley and climbing into the Anti-Atlas.
After a night in the resort town of Agadir we finish on quiet country lanes around the mountain village of Immouzer, before transferring by minibus back to Marrakech for a final night in “The Red City”. Covering an average of 70-90km per day, our Road Atlas tour takes a challenging route over a mountainous landscape and offers riders challenging climbs and exciting descents on traffic-free roads.
Many of the routes have been recently re-surfaced so riding conditions are good, and in winter we normally experience crisp clear days with excellent visibility. En route we use a variety of styles of accommodation, from tourist class hotels to charming guesthouses and basic rural gîtes, with plenty of opportunities to sample Morocco’s world famous cuisine.
On tour almost all meals are included and lunches are usually taken picnic-style in beautiful and remote locations.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Arrival. Arrive at Marrakech Airport, following the scheduled flight from the UK. (Confirmation of flight times from the UK will be given upon booking). Once you have collected your baggage and/or bikes you will be met by one of the guides, who will transport you to our hotel accommodation in the centre of Marrakech. Flights often arrive in the evening, so, once checked-in we get together for a short briefing on the trip ahead before heading out for an authentic Moroccan meal in a local restaurant. (If we have time we’ll assemble our bikes before the evening meal, but if not we’ll have time tomorrow morning prior to our departure). Overnight 3 star hotel.
Day 2: Marakech to Ilmlil - Distance approx 32 km/20 miles. Today we have a leisurely start, giving us some time to fine tune our machines before setting off across the Haouz plain and into the foothills of the Atlas Mountains. To avoid the monotony of the plain we load up our bikes and take a minibus transfer the 25kms to Tahanoute, a local administrative centre set in olive groves and fruit orchards. From here we have a day of climbing ahead of us. We start the day at 900m above sea level and finish at 1850m riding along a road that climbs gradually from the plains into the heart of the Toubkal National Park. The first part of the climb takes us along a winding mountain road perched above a steep-sided gorge, leading us to the village of Asni, a traditional Berber settlement on the old Marrakech-Agadir road. Around Asni we’ll choose an appropriate spot for a picnic lunch before continuing along a quiet country road to Imlil. The road to Imlil climbs gradually for 17km, following the beautiful Mizane valley, a typically scenic High Atlas river valley with a thin strip of lush cultivation framed by stark towering limestone mountains. Imlil is the most important trailhead village in the Atlas where trekkers set off to conquer North Africa’s highest peak Mt Toubkal. We leave our bikes in the village and continue on foot up a dirt track to our accommodation for the night, a beautifully-converted Berber house in the village of Tamatert located high above the village of Imlil. (B,L,D)
Day 3: Ilmlil to Ijoukak - Distance approx 67 km/41 miles. After our first breakfast in the chilly early morning of the High Atlas, we set off on foot to rejoin our bikes in Imlil. The walk down takes us through shady walnut groves and alongside the Mizane river, in which water flows year-round. In spring the river turns into a torrent as snow-melt tumbles down off the Toubkal Massif. The first part of our ride retraces our route of yesterday afternoon, with a smooth fast descent down to Asni where we rejoin the old Marrakech-Agadir road. There then follows a twisty 10km descent down towards the village of Ouirgane, one of the prettiest in the High Atlas. En route, walnut trees give way to olive groves as we lose all of the altitude we gained yesterday. Today the road surfaces are good and although there is generally very little traffic on the road riders should be on their guard for unexpected oncoming vehicles! Around the village of Ouirgane we’ll stop for lunch before continuing up the Tizi-n-Test road towards Ijoukak, our overnight stop. Our afternoon ride, following the course of the Nfis River (against the flow) takes us a further 30km uphill along a quiet road. En route we pass through some small Berber settlements characterised by adobe (mudbrick) dwellings built out of the very land on which they stand. Here subsistence farming sustains villagers with any excesses taken to the nearby souq (market) in Ijoukak to generate some extra income. On arrival in Ijoukak we walk down a dirt track to get to our overnight accommodation, a “gite”, or basic village house converted into simple tourist accommodation. Tonight’s accommodation is the tour’s most basic with riders sharing dormitory-style rooms with shared toilet facilities. Before dark we may have time for a stroll through the valley, argueably one of the prettiest valleys in the whole High Atlas range. Dinner and overnight gite (B,L,D)
Day 4: Ijoukak to Ouled Berhil - Distance approx 82 km/51 miles. Today we make an early start from Ijoukak as we continue our route southwards on a physically demanding ride. After Ijoukak the road begins to climb more steeply as it winds its way up to the infamous Test Pass (Tizi-n-Test), one of Africa’s highest paved roads. En route we stop for a look around the Tinmal Mosque, one of Morocco’s oldest. The mosque dates back to the 12th Century and was built by the same Berber dynasty that built the magnificent Koutoubia mosque in Marrakech. Moving on from the mosque we continue our climb through juniper forests up to over 2000m above sea level. In total that’s about 40km of climbing since Ijoukak and the rewards on a clear day are panoramic views southward over the Souss Valley to Taroudant and across to the Anti-Atlas Mountains. Somewhere around the summit of the pass we’ll stop for lunch before embarking on a 37km descent down the south side of the High Atlas towards the town of Ouled Berhil. From the bustling roadside town of Ouled Berhil views of the Atlas Mountains bathed in late afternoon sunshine are superb. Here we stay in a converted kasbah (fortified Moroccan house) – a quirky place with an old world feel about it. The hotel has a pool and pleasant garden to relax in after a tough day in the saddle. Dinner and overnight converted kasbah (B,L,D)
Day 5: Ouled Berhil to Tafraout - Distance approx 90 km/56 miles. After breakfast we transfer by minibus to the town of Taroudant. We’re now in the fertile Souss Valley, a vast expanse of flat land with fruit orchards watered by the Souss River which flows to the sea at Agadir. It’s a major fruit and dairy farming region and Taroudant is the regional centre, located some 40km from Ouled Berhil. After a quick look around the walled city, a 12th century town likened to a mini version of Marrakech, we continue by minibus to Ait Baha where we’ll start our ride into the Anti-Atlas Mountains. Today’s ride is largely uphill, along a beautiful country road which winds its way up from the plains to Tafraoute, a mountain town with an extraordinary setting. After choosing a scenic spot for lunch we get the chance to visit a hilltop kasbah before continuing up to a pass perched high above our finishing point. Half way up the landscape begins to change from argan forests (a tree found only in Mexico and Morocco and used in the manufacture of massage and cooking oils), to wilder moorland. From the pass (at about 1700m above sea level) there’s a wonderful 20km descent down the Ameln valley into Tafraoute, a village set in an almost surreal landscape of huge volcanic bolders. After settling into our 3-star hotel we head out for dinner and some traditional entertainment in a local restaurant. Overnight 3-star hotel (B,L,D)
Day 6: Rest day. Today is yours to do as you please. The minibus will be available to those who would like to visit Les Roches Bleues, a collection of giant painted rocks all in the name of landscape art, or some of the wonderful villages in the Ameln Valley. Others may rather sit by the pool and admire the views over the town and the towering granite peaks that surround Tafraoute. There are also some short cycling circuits around the area, taking advantage of the many newly-surfaced quiet country lanes. The town of Tafraoute itself is a pleasant place to rest up, and in February the town comes alive with visitors during the almond blossom festival. The whole region is famed for its almonds and villagers from miles around congregate in Tafraoute at this time of year to celebrate the blossoming of their trees. The sight of thousands of trees in bloom set against the stark mountains that surround the town is one of the most beautiful in Morocco. Dinner and overnight 3-star hotel (B,L,D)
Day 7: Tafraout to Agadir - Distance approx 90 km/56 miles . Today we take an alternative route back to the town of Ait Baha and finish the day on the Atlantic coast in the town of Agadir. With a long distance to cover, we set off early taking a maze of new roads down from Tafraoute towards the Souss Valley. En route we pass through traditional villages that couldn’t be more different to their High Atlas counterparts. In this region, the architecture (of taller, painted buildings with distinctive porches and doorways), bears no resemblance to the squat austere earth brick constructions of the High Atlas. There’s also an air of economic prosperity in the Anti-Atlas with many of its inhabitants having set up successful commercial enterprises in the larger cities of Morocco. This has lead to a mass male exodus and many villages are almost exclusively inhabited by females. Today’s ride is largely downhill but has its ups and downs through rolling hills and low mountains. The Anti-Atlas have even quieter roads than the High Atlas, and make a perfect range for road cyclists to explore. After a picnic lunch and some more riding we pack up the support vehicle around Ait Baha and finish the journey into Agadir by minibus. Tonight we head out for a meal in an international restaurant (not included in the tour cost) and stay in a 3-star hotel. Overnight 3-star hotel (B,L)
Day 8: Agadir to Immouzer - Distance approx 50 km/31 mile. After breakfast we transfer out of town to just north of Agadir where we unload our bikes and start our ride up to Immouzer. Known locally as “Paradise Valley” this 50km stretch of tarmac is so called on account of its palm oases which line the early part of the route. It’s a very scenic route that is normally fairly traffic-free (apart from the odd minibus carrying tourists up to the falls) and there are several viewpoints en route to take pictures of a landscape quite different to previous days. After stopping at an oasis for lunch we continue on a largely uphill route to the mountain village of Immouzer where we stay in a guest house for the night. We aim to arrive in good time for a drink and sunset viewing from what is one of the finest terraces in Morocco. Dinner and overnight guest house (B,L,D)
Day 9: Immouzer to Marrakech - Distance approx 45 km/28 miles ride + transfer to Marrakech. After breakfast we ride out of the hotel along a mountain road that takes us northwards towards the main Agadir-Marrakech road. The scenery is open and rolling with excellent views to the south before we start our descent down to the main road. It’s about 45km of easy riding (usually with the prevailing wind behind) and when we arrive at the foot of the descent we’ll pack up the support vehicle and head back to Marrakech. En route we’ll stop for lunch and aim to get back to Marrakech by mid-afternoon. The transfer takes about 2 and a half hours. Arriving back in Marrakech is a real highlight. Having arrived in the evening at the start of the trip we had little time to look around the Marrakech medina (old town), a maze of medieval streets and passageways. Tonight there’ll be time to explore the main square – the Djemaa el Fna – to witness one of the world’s most animated nighttime spectacles. At night the square in transformed into a giant open air restaurant with men in white coats serving anything from sheep’s head stew to snails in hot sauce. The rest of the square is dedicated to other forms of entertainment such as snake charmers, story tellers, acrobats and dancers. Later we will enjoy a farewell dinner in a restaurant before exploring what Marrakech has to offer in the way of nightlife. Overnight in a 3 star hotel. (B,L)
Day 10: Departure. Free time this morning, perhaps spent recovering from the night before! Followed by a transfer to airport for homeward flight. Most flights depart in the afternoon so there’s time to explore the city and pick up a few last minute souvenirs. Guides are available for those who wish to be guided but we recommend seeing the city at your own pace, taking time to wander through the beguiling labyrinth of tiny alleys and passageways in the ancient medina. You might like to visit the ancient Badi and Bahia Palaces, the museum of Marrakech, or a short taxi ride will take you to the Majorelle Botanical Garden, owned by Yves Saint Laurent. There are also the famous souqs (markets) of Marrakech - ideal for devotees of ethnic fashion and decoration, but worth a look for the sights, sounds and smells of this most exotic of markets. But the real Marrakech experience is more about soaking up its unique atmosphere. (B)
Small group adventure holiday
Typically you will be sharing your experiences with between 4-20 like minded travellers (depending on the trip, operator and how many others are booked on the trip) and you'll have a group leader with you. Whether you are travelling alone or with friends its good value, and a great way to meet new people! While itineraries are pre-planned there is some flexibility and you'll have plenty of privacy. This trip will appeal to travellers of all ages who enjoy meeting new people as well as seeing new places.
How Atlas Mountains road cycling tour makes a difference
Global adventures start with a local perspective - that's our philosophy. Abroad, or just as importantly at home, the starting point is the same; how to get the most enjoyable holiday for our customers while benefiting the local people, economy and respecting the environment. Mountain biking is a great way to explore seldom visited areas of Morocco, experiencing the wilderness of the deserts and Atlas Mountains, and the colourful bustling towns, and travelling at a speed that enables you to take in your surroundings without damaging the environment.
On this Atlas Mountains mountain biking holiday we select a variety of accommodation that represents the character and diversity of Morocco. We stay in cosy auberges, small hotels and spend a night in traditional family homes experiencing the superb hospitality of the poorer Moroccan families live. We visit local farmsteads and villages and enjoy the hospitality of local restaurants and the local people. By visiting and working with locally based people and buying local products from small producers, (organic if possible) we contribute to the regional economy. Accompanied by a local knowledgeable guide our guests are able to understand in depth about Morocco and its fascinating history.
For this Atlas Mountains mountain biking holiday we provide travellers with Travellers Codes that encourage the reduction of water usage, systems for collecting, recycling or safe disposal of litter and relevant suggestions to minimise damage to the environment, wildlife and marine ecosystems. All our Atlas Mountains mountain biking holidays have a maximum group size of 12 to 15 people minimising both the social and environmental impact. Being able to participate and connect with the local Moroccan people and culture provides a richer holiday experience.
Voted one of the Best Tour Operators in two categories in the Guardian / Observer Travel Awards 2010.
Voted in February 2010, by The Guardian newspapers list of experts as one of the top 75 outstanding green travel companies in the Guardian Green Travel List 2010.
Winner of the Guardian Observer Award for Best Small Short Break Tour Operator, runner up in the Online Booking Award and Best Small Tour Operator award 2011.
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