Atlas Mountains biking tour:
As you may know Morocco’s diverse landscape, sunny weather and amazing culture have been consistently attracting mountain bikers from all over the world. So come for a ride with our passionate team of guides and explore the very best of what Morocco has to offer.
According to the UK periodical the Guardian, Morocco’s Atlas Mountains offers one of the five best cycle routes in the world. The Guardian suggests cycling from Marrakech south into the Anti-Atlas Mountains to the coastal Berber village of Mirleft, although from Marrakech you can also head south toward the Tiz n’ Test road or east to Morocco’s inland desert region.
Cycling & mountain biking holidays in Morocco :
Here at Mountain Bike Morocco Company, we offer a fantastic range of cycling holidays in Morocco.
With trips located in the North and South of the country, including Atlas Mountains, Sahara Desert and Atlantic coast, all offer a fantastic adventure for riders who enjoy cycling with some fantastic routes and trails that will put a smile on everyone’s face!
5 Days Atlas Mountains Cycling Tour:
Day 1: Marrakech –Airport Transfer—Ait Ben Haddou (188 Km)
A driver will be waiting for you at Marrakech airport, and then we start out Atlas adventure with a transfer to the bottom of Tizi n Tichka and on fresh legs tackle the highest climb of the trip. The gradients are 2-5% with no steep sections so it is easy to find a rhythm and spin to the top. From there we have a thrilling descent and then turn off onto the superbly quiet road all the way to reach The Kasbah Ait Benhaddou, which is one of the most intriguing red earth castles lining the ancient road of the Kasbahs, and is a UNESCO world heritage site. (The car will follow you in case of tiredness).
Day 2- Ait Benhaddou –Tallouine –Taroudant(263Km)
After Breakfast, today is rolling throughout. We roll out at 9 am for a full day on the bike with a lunch stop and regular snacks at the feed stations. This is the most remote we go on the trip. You have the option to get in the van for the first 50km and make it a 100km day or take on the full 155km finishing in Talouine which is a small town in Taroudant province. Taliouine considered one of the main exporters of this spice worldwide. Then we continue our road bike to Taroudant, hidden by magnificent red-mud walls, and with the snow-capped peaks of the High Atlas beckoning beyond, Taroudant’s souqs and squares have a healthy sprinkling of Maghrebi mystique.
Day 3- Taroudant (rest day)
This day is a free day to hold your breath and take rest. The locals are very friendly and they’d be thrilled to share their hospitality and knowledge, There is enough to see and do in the city for a day or two, but the best thing about Taroudant is its location in the fertile Souss valley and at the foothills of the Anti-Atlas mountains, which are teaming with Berber culture including ancient granaries, ages-old Koranic schools and lush green agricultural terraces.
Day 4- Taroudant– Tizi n Test—Imlil Valley (190 Km)
After your breakfast, a classic climb for the day, we start with 70km of flat, quick riding and then turn onto the long climb of Tizi n Test. The R203 (Tizi n’Test Road) is a gravel mountain road, around 170km long with plenty of places to stop and explore along the way. It is well worth spreading the distance out over a couple of days so that you can really sink your teeth into the landscapes and vistas. The pass itself sits at 2,092m / 6,867 ft. above sea level. The foothills of the mountains and the road are wide with an excellent surface until we finish at the top of the mountain and take in the incredible views for miles beneath us. We ended up at the Imlil Valley.
Day 5- Imlil Valley – Marrakesh (67Km)
We start the day with a thrilling, long descent down Tizi n Test before hitting some incredible shorter climbs and rolling terrain before finishing in Asni. Then continue our way to reach our final ride destination, we ride over one last climb and have the option to add another 50km and ride up to the ski station of Oukaimeden, the toughest climb in the region. The villagers are always amazed to see bikers on their trails. We then roll back into Marrakech.
