Atlas to Coast Road Cycling

This adventure takes place in the High Atlas Mountains of Morocco, just a short drive from the vibrant city of Marrakech. The High Atlas Mountains are a spectacular setting for a mountain biking trip with hundreds of miles of dusty singletrack just waiting to be explored. With many years of experience guiding in the region, your local hosts can help you explore this region’s hidden riding potential.
The Anti Atlas mountain range benefits from warmer and drier conditions in the winter, being the most southerly range in Morocco, and rises to lower altitudes than peaks in the High Atlas range.

Stunning rock formations – including Morocco’s “Grand Canyon” in the Tafraoute region, and the astonishing jagged volcanic scenery of Jbel Sirwa near Taliouine – are well worth the extra journey to these remoter regions (both over 2 hours from Taroudant).

You will be collected from your accommodation in Marrakech at 09:00.

You will be transferred back to Marrakech for around 17:00 at the end of your adventure.

Day 1: Marrakech
Arrive at Marrakech Airport and transfer to your hotel or riad. Overnight in Marrakech
Day 2: Marrakech – Ourika – Asni
We transfer out of Marrakech this morning to Tadmamt and begin our cycling journey into the foothills of Mt Toubkal. After a nice warm up on a wonderful undulating road, we enjoy a long descent into the Asni Valley with beautiful views. We then follow the river and cross over a number of bridges before arriving in Dar Elmouahidines and our hotel for the evening.

Day 3: Asni – Ouirgane – Oulad Berhil
The day begins with a challenging climb to the dramatic Tizi n’Test Pass (2100m). We are rewarded with dramatic views to the south over the Sousse Valley towards the Anti Atlas Mountains. After lunch we have a truly dramatic and, in places, quite steep descent as the road winds down to the valley. Once in the valley our ride takes us past orange, lemon and grapefruit groves as we approach Oulad Berhil. Here we receive a warm welcome, wonderful food and a relaxing evening at our beautiful Riad. This converted palace is a wonderful addition to the end of our day with roaming peacocks and the chance to pick our own fruit

Day 4: Oulad Berhil – Anti Atlas Tafraoute
We have a morning transfer into the Anti Atlas Mountains and the real southern Morocco, much of it semi‐desert and a complete contrast to the fertile Sousse Valley. We travel through argan country trying to spot the incredible tree climbing goats which are famously found here. From Irherm, we are surrounded by almond trees and our road has some wonderful ups and downs as we pass through many farms and little mud‐walled Berber villages.
The last section of the ride is another wonderful descent of about 12km through the most dramatic scenery to Tafraoute. In the late afternoon there is the option to visit the famous Blue Rocks, designed by Belgian artist Jean Verame, which are only 6km away (cycle or drive).

Day 5: Anti Atlas – Ait Baha – Agadir
The vehicles take us up out of Tafraoute first thing in the morning, and then we have yet another varied ride, undulating through spectacular hills, past traditional villages and hill‐top Kasbahs, with some superb balcony sections with excellent views.
There are a few climbs, but the ride ends with an exhilarating descent to Ait Baha Lake and then we transfer to the coastal resort of Agadir. Cycle 70km Comfortable Hotel (Breakfast, Lunch
Day 6: Agadir – Paradise Valley – Imouzzar
Today we enjoy a truly spectacular ride through Paradise Valley, a narrow gorge lined with palm trees. Towards the head of the valley we have another challenging climb with excellent views, eventually reaching a high plateau and the little town of Imouzzer, the end point of one of the most dramatic rides on our route. Originally the home of the Ida Outanane Berber tribe, Imouzzer retains a strong cultural identity.

Day 7: Imouzzar – Imessouane – Essaouira
We start cycling from the front door and begin with another excellent winding descent on a good road to a valley dotted with palm trees and traditional villages. There are a couple of
Moderate climbs over rocky hills and descents back into the fertile valleys before we reach the main coast road and the end of the ride. After a picnic lunch we transfer (1½ hours) to our destination for the evening, Essaouira. This charming old Portuguese fishing port dates back to the 15th Century, but the present town was constructed around 1760 by Sidi Mohammed ben Abdullah, who needed a base from which to suppress a revolt from Agadir.
Today, Essaouira is extremely relaxed and its whitewashed houses with painted shutters, artisan’s workshops, boatyards and fishermen provide a marked contrast to Marrakech. There’s plenty of interest in the narrow traffic‐free streets of the old town and we stay overnight in a traditional Riad hotel.

Day 8: Essaouira – Marrakech
After a free morning to explore lovely Essaouira, we transfer to the vibrant city of Marrakech. Simply enjoy a freshly squeezed orange juice in one of the many rooftop cafés overlooking the Djemma El Fna Square, or perhaps take a calèche (a bright green horse drawn carriage) ride to the peaceful Majorelle Gardens. These small but tranquil gardens are decorated throughout in indigo blue and house the small Museum of Islamic Art in the grounds. A final treat would be to go for a hammam, a traditional Moroccan steam bath. A visit to Djemma el Fna Square this evening is the ultimate reward for our week’s cycling ‐ with snake charmers, story tellers, smoky food stalls and souks, there is no other way to experience the exciting atmosphere of Marrakech. Comfortable Hotel (Breakfast)

Day 9: Marrakech – Airport
After breakfast, transfers to airport end of our services.

Note: This itinerary and the duration of the activities are subject to change due to group abilities and preferences, and weather conditions and forecasts.