Morocco feels like a country that was almost built for off-roading. The stunning almost endless sandy vistas of the Sahara and spectacular mountains are just begging to be explored. It’s a wilderness unlike any other and it attracts thousands of bikers and 4×4 enthusiasts every year from all over the world. It’s also incredibly easy to reach from Southern Spain, so for European off-roaders, it’s pretty much a no-brainer.
But Morocco is a pretty large country and it’s easy to get lost if you don’t have a good idea where you want to go and how you want to get there. That’s why we’ve decided to single out some of the most popular and rewarding overland routes in Morocco for beginners and old hands alike.
1. The Rif Mountains
These are probably the first mountains you’ll encounter after crossing from Spain and they are notoriously unpredictable so certainly don’t represent a beginner’s trail. The majority of the roads here are completely unpaved so you’ll want to ensure you have decent upgraded suspension but as long as you know how to handle your ride you will experience a rare combination of busy greenery and rocky hills.
2. The High Atlas Mountains
These are dubbed high mountains for a reason. You’ll be thousands of miles above sea level experiencing some of the highest highs Africa has to offer. You’ll find a combination of tarmac and unsurfaced pistes offering a variety of challenges but it’s the views that you’ll always remember. Note, however, that it can get clogged with heavy snow in the winter months so this is definitely a summer experience. Bring plenty of sun cream!
3. The Anti-Atlas Mountains
As the name suggests, this is a much lower and less treacherous alternative to the High Atlas Mountains but is no less stunning. Indeed, the town of Ouarzazate which forms the beating heart of the region has been called the Hollywood of North Africa due to the many film studios it houses. Chances are you’ve probably seen a Western or two that was shot there. This might well be the best place in the country for classic off-roading and the options are essentially endless.
4. The Jebel Sahro Mountain Range
This is one of the finest and most remote high altitude routes in North Africa. It’s a diverse region that will expose you to every possible type of desert driving, from the soft sand and impressive dunes to flat expanses of emptiness. It’s also a region spotted with desert villages and wild campaign opportunities. It’s a truly peaceful and welcoming region that will prepare you for the ultimate challenge of the world’s ultimate desert playground.
5. The Sahara
The Sahara desert is world-renowned, particularly amongst off-road enthusiasts. Not only is the soft sand incredibly easy (and fun) to drive on but there are dozens of fascinating ancient settlements to discover and new trails to stumble across. Endless dunes are very much the order of the day here, it’s very easy to get lost if you don’t have a reliable GPS. But, as long as you’re adequately prepared, you might just find yourself having the ride of your life!
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