Atlas Marrakech MTB Tour

This bike 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 single-track 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 scenery makes for an impressive backdrop to your journey. The rugged and remote terrain has resisted the pressured of the modern world and feels like a window into a bygone era. Dramatic valleys offer vivid contrasts with the lush green irrigated fields along the valley bottom set against the barren rocky scree slopes that lead up to the snow-capped peaks.

The area is dotted with the villages and towns of the Berber people; their characteristic stone houses nestled picturesquely into steep hillsides. This region of Morocco remained isolated until the early 20th century and for a long time the fiercely independent local people resisted French colonisation. To this day the Berber people retain a strong sense of their unique identity and operate in many ways independently of the Moroccan government. The regions rich cultural heritage makes it the perfect destination for an adventure.

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
We will greet you at Menara Airport and bring you directly to your hotel.

Day 2: Marrakech – Amizmiz – Plateau Kik
Your guide and driver will meet you at the hotel in the morning. You’ll be transported by minibus to an area near Amizmiz Dam, about 45 km southwest of Marrakech. We’ll begin our ride on after checking our bikes and gear; we’ll start our journey on fairly flat ground, and then gradually ascend to the village of Taghenchoute. From this point we zigzag up to the Kik plateau, which gives a really fantastic view of the majesty of the Atlas Mountains and Jebel Toubkal, at 4167 m, the highest peak in North Africa, The Kik Plateau is beautiful throughout the year, changing its colors with the seasons: from the many shades of springtime greens to the golden yellows of summer, the russet reds and browns of autumn and the pristine white of winter snowfall on the mountains. Our ride takes us through the terraced mountainsides and local Berber villages, descending into Asni from altitude pretty quickly. If you’re in the mood to keep going, we can continue for the remaining 14km on tarmac, arriving in Imlil. If not, we load our bikes onto the 4×4 and take a relaxing ride to Imlil where we’ll overnight in a local guesthouse.
4-5 hours biking

Day 3: Imlil – Asni
We begin the day’s ride in the foothills of Mount Toubkal, ascending the challenging Tizi n’Tamaterte at 2230 m. atop this high mountain pass we can take in the stunning views of the High Atlas, frequently snow-capped and always majestic. From Wanskra village, we’ll continue via a dirt track winding down through the valley, and overlooking the deep riverbed (wadi), and terraced mountainsides dotted with villages that seem to dangle precariously. We’ll overnight in Asni, where the ride terminates, and enjoying dinner & welcome rest in a local lodge.
4-5 hours biking

Day 4: Asni – Ourika – Marrakech
Today we test our mettle, setting out for a brief warm-up ride on flat terrain and then pushing ourselves on the ascent to Tadmamt Pass, at 1800 m. this is a long and somewhat arduous ride We will be rewarded for this challenging climb with fabulous views of the breadth of the region, from the northern plains to the mighty Atlas mountains. Our trail continues east into the lush Ourika Valley. Here our day ends and our team will load our gear and drive us the short distance back to your accommodation in Marrakech. Breakfast & lunch provided
4-5 hours biking

Day 5: Marrakech – Airport
Breakfast is provided, as well as transport from your hotel to Menara Airport.

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