Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > Morocco
Morocco Topics specific to Morocco, including Western Sahara west of the berm
Photo by Daniel Rintz, Himba children, Namibia

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

Photo by Daniel Rintz,
Himba children, Namibia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 26 Sep 2011
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Kent England
Posts: 9
Gorge to Gorge MH3 and CirqueMH1

Hi off to Morocco on Wednesday this week. 4 bikes and a 2008 LR Discovery carrying our gear. The discovery is standard apart from more suitable tyres. We don't want to beat the discovery up too much so was wandering if the below two routes are best avoided in it?

1)the Gorge to Gorge (west to east) MH4
2)Cirque de Jaffar Imichil to Midelt, MH1

From what I have read looks like MH3 is best left to the bikes but the cirque has mixed reviews? Thanks in advance for any advice.

If any body needs something desperately, we will be entering Nador Sat 1st October heading south to Merzouga then east to Tagounite, then North East to Midelt.


Regards
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 26 Sep 2011
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Hanoi, Vietnam
Posts: 360
Hi,
Conditions change regularly, so it'd be worth taking more recent advice than I can give, but when I did it last (March 2010) the Cirque was quite washed out in places.
I ripped both rear bumper end plates off my Landcruiser. I was driving slowly and carefully, but there were a few places where it was either rub a rear corner a bit coming out of a river channel or turn back.
I thought I had some better photos, but the section just ahead here was the sort of thing we saw quite a bit. A short, sharp climb out of a washed out section cutting across the piste
2 (142) | Flickr - Photo Sharing!
If I was a betting man, I'd wager on picking up the odd knock on a standard height 4x4, however, it wouldn't take much erosion to smooth out the gullies either if there hadn't been too much rain for a couple of months.

I'm sure plenty have traveled that route far more recently and can advise.

Happy travels
Sam
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 26 Sep 2011
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Bristol, UK
Posts: 336
I was there in late June, however didn't do gorge to gorge as it was getting late.

It's worth noting that I found the estimated timings in the morocco overland book to be a bit ambitous and the routes took longer than we believed they would.

MH1 about 20km from Midelt the track was totally washed out and we had to go down the valley a little bit to cross the oued and then there was a vert steep climb to rejoin the track.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 26 Sep 2011
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Logie Coldstone, Scotland
Posts: 70
I'd agree that the Gorge to Gorge timing might be a little ambitious. In 2007 we did the loop from Tinerhir, up the Todra, down the Dades and back to Tinerhir...it was dark when we got back! Great run though and we took time to enjoy it.

The road conditions change by the season but we managed it in Disco I's, a Classic Range Rover and a 110 without any problems.

Disco 3's are great off road and have better approach and departure angles than some earlier ones. You just need to watch out for the extra long wheelbase.

Of course you could just raise the suspension!
__________________
Fraser
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 27 Sep 2011
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Kent England
Posts: 9
Many thanks for the replies and updates. Fraser, I hope you are right about the Disco 3 ! All the best, and I will post an update on our return.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 28 Sep 2011
Tim Cullis's Avatar
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: London and Granada Altiplano
Posts: 3,078
The weather has been stable for several months so the Gorge Link piste should be OK, photos here.

The Cirque de Jaffar is thoroughly washed out with practically zero local through traffic to encourage rebuilding. You'll probably get through, though it would be wise for the bikes to trail blaze the narrow section of the actual cirque as reversing there wouldn't be fun.
__________________
"For sheer delight there is nothing like altitude; it gives one the thrill of adventure
and enlarges the world in which you live,"
Irving Mather (1892-1966)
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 28 Sep 2011
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: On the road to Africa
Posts: 83
My wife and I did Gorge to Gorge in June this year in a Defender 110 and the route was petty stable. More interesting than Todra and Dades individually (which are certainly worth a look but a good deal of it has been asphalted - of a sort).
Dont miss Cirque de Jaffar if at all possible. in June we picked this as our first off road adventure and it was superb. A little muddy in places for the first 30k out of Midelt (after you get across the plain) but not tricky and the whole route is truly spectacular scenery. We met a couple of people in Mercedes G-Wagens who turned off about 35km in and take a big loop back to Midelt. But if you're in a reasonably capeable 4x4 it should cope with the whole route. Part of the piste has been washed out after you come round the large boulder mentioned in Chris Scott's book but if you head into the valley floor the kids in the farm will hear you coming and (for a suitable quantity of sweets or pens) will direct you up the oued and back in the right direction - although the route out of the oued is a steep for a short section and we only had to backtrack once (a 5 point turn in a reasonably fast flowing but shall river bed was a new experience for me).
Great fun - took longer than I anticipated but plenty of wild camp spots and campsites at either end. As Tim C mentioned they'll never improve the road / track as only locals on donkeys and nutters off-roading use it.
Enjoy - we did.
__________________
All who wander are not lost - JRR Tolkien
www.wearthefoxhat.us
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 16 Oct 2011
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: London
Posts: 62
Quote:
Originally Posted by stubbie View Post
Hi off to Morocco on Wednesday this week. 4 bikes and a 2008 LR Discovery carrying our gear. The discovery is standard apart from more suitable tyres. We don't want to beat the discovery up too much so was wandering if the below two routes are best avoided in it?

1)the Gorge to Gorge (west to east) MH4
2)Cirque de Jaffar Imichil to Midelt, MH1

From what I have read looks like MH3 is best left to the bikes but the cirque has mixed reviews? Thanks in advance for any advice.

If any body needs something desperately, we will be entering Nador Sat 1st October heading south to Merzouga then east to Tagounite, then North East to Midelt.


Regards
I did gorge to gorge in a Citroen C3 hire car so you should be fine!
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
How many kilometers is the piste from Todra to Dades Gorge? road warrior Morocco 3 26 Mar 2010 18:53
How many kilometers is the terrible Todra to Dades Gorge piste? road warrior Morocco 3 8 Jan 2010 19:34
Track between Todra and Dades gorge Marieke North Africa 13 20 Mar 2007 12:42

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 05:52.