Morocco - ride from Boumalne to Tinerhir via the Gorges
 

Hello,

Is it possible to ride from Boumalne to Tinerhir via the Gorges (Dades and then Todra)?

Bike is a GSA 1150 with panniers and pillion. The travel is schedule for September/October.

What kind of terrain can one encounter?

Have the the roads been washed recently by the rain? Michelin 742 states that higher altitude roads might be closed from November to April.

Feedback will be welcomed! ?c?

Best Regards,
Luis CaBRita

I was told last week the western entry at Msemrir was closed due to track repairs - though with local help they found a way in from the north.

More news here.

After that, it all depends on the recent weather; washed-out tracks currently and hard work on an 1150 I imagine, even in the dry but easier west to east.

Ch

The route is basically a series of three river valleys, mostly riding in (hopefully) dry river beds. Piste conditions will therefore vary according to weather conditions over the previous few months. You need to keep a look out for alternatives to wallowing around in the river beds--often there are side pistes slightly higher up.

http://www.infar.co.uk/tim/P1010047e.jpg

I designate this as a technical route but in good conditions it could be tackled by novices, accompanied by more experienced riders, so long as they are not carrying luggage. If you have offroad experience you might well be OK but there will be spots where it will be a good idea for your pillion to get off and walk.

I never have used the entry point Chris describes in MH3 at km 2.3, I've always gone in further north at N31 43.039 W5 48.208

I last did this a couple of months ago--met a Swiss couple on an Africa Twin sidecar combo halfway along, then a small group of Landy owners (ProTrax) that I knew--and and it took just 2.5 hours. But this is a real Jekyll and Hyde piste, on another occasion it took more than 12 hours, the last six by moonlight. :helpsmilie:

Tim

Hi,

This request was made for me by my friend CaBRita.

By the comment "Jekyll and Hyde piste" and "more than 12 hours, the last six by moonlight":eek3: I think I should go and visit both Todra and Dades by the tarmac road!

My idea is to have a 10 days vacation with my wife and my lover (1150GSA) :mchappy:

I wanted to do a bit of offroad near the "Gorges" and Ait Ben Haddou...

...:confused1:

Thanks,

Forget Gorge to Gorge, all you'll do is break something.

In my opinion a much more spectacular ride - weather permitting of course - is up from Dades beyond Msemrir as far as you can, like or dare - all the way to Agoudal even. And if the sun is still shining, come back via Ait Hani and down via Tamtatouche to Tinerhir. About 30-40% piste or less.

A long day out and a real adventure. Gorge to Gorge can be an MX track and for what? There are so many better pistes in Mk.

Sat image here

For a fantastic road ride with the Mrs, head down from Ouarzazate to Foum Zquid via Tazenacht.

Ch

This is it... "For a fantastic road ride with the Mrs" :thumbup1:

Please Give me your advise!:thumbup:

Thanks!

The piste that goes from 6km north of Ait Benhaddou to Anmiter (and then tarmac via Telouet to the Tizi n'Tichka) will probably be OK for you.

I've done it twice this year. It's in the process of being graded and balasted. There might still be some rough points but it's a better bet than the gorge link piste.

The Glaoui Kasbah at Telouet is well worth a visit especially if you are interested in the Lords of the Atlas history.

Hi,

It's done (I hope...)!!!

Day 1
Lisbon-Chefchouen
Day 2
Chefchouen-Meknes-Fez
Day 3
Fez-Azrou-Eroud-Merzouga
Day 4
Merzouga Erg Chebbi
Day 5
Merzouga-Tinghir-Imilchil-Boumalne (Chris Scott track in reverse)
Day 6
Boumalne-Ouarzazate
Day 7
Ouarzazate-Ait Benhaddou-Anmiter...(Tim Cullis tip)

Thanks a lot!

If any of you as a new recommendation...I would appreciate!

Kind Regards,

Imilchil to Msemrir is much easier than the gorge link piste.

Some notes on the route: in good conditions it is suitable for riders/drivers with no technical expertise, however be aware that in poor conditions, particularly after strong rains, this may no longer be the case. There are four specific area that can become more difficult—a lateral ford 800m long at km43, a potentially muddy uphill stretch at km49, a boggy area at km54, and a sometimes deep ford at km76.

There's also a long uphill climb across an exposed slope starting at km 58 to the Tizi n'Ouano (2919m) that at one time had a lot of loose stones but this was fairly clear in June.

All distances measured from the Inov fuel station in Imilchil. Generally keep to the left in the long lateral ford. If it's been dry weather there won't be much water.

Hi,

Justo to finish the route...

Day 7
Ouarzazate-Ait Benhaddou-Anmiter...(Tim Cullis tip)-Marrakech
Day 8
Marrakech
Day 9
Marrakech-Casablanca-Rabat-Tangier-Tarifa
Day 10
Tarifa-Back HOME!!!

I would like to ask "one final" thing...In this route I would like to know wich are the best places to sleep, price versus quality!? :confused1:

Thanks a Lot!!!

I wish I was allready in the ferry...:rolleyes2:

Cheers!

Landy Group
 

Hi Tim

After leaving you we had a great trip through Dades, some interesting driving and very glad the river was dry. Hope to do it again in October with a larger group, conditions permitting. Have another thread out there looking for information about camping at Assa. Hope to travel from Tata to Assa, camp overnight and then head for the coast near Tantan. Any info on Assa area much appreciated.

Oh well, some pics then...

http://www.infar.co.uk/tim/P1010059e.jpg

http://www.infar.co.uk/tim/P1010060e.jpg

And the Africa Twin combo

http://www.infar.co.uk/tim/P1010050e.jpg

Hi all

You also can start with a piste from Hamza/Emza to Chaouen. It starts after Tetouan, at km 20,6 on the road to Oued Laou and goes straight to the old spanish dam. Nice spots for bivouac.
Thanks to Tim for your pictures!

Rui.
Portugal

Hi,

Rui do you think is a ride for the Mrs?

With a 1150GSA panniers and pilion?

How many kms is this track?

Thanks,

Hi TTAlmeida,

if you send me an e-mail I will send you the road-book ("work in progress" version)
It´s +/- 50 km Tetouan - Caiat and 90 km Caiat - Chefchaouen.
I will do it next October on GSA 1200 with panniers.

Inch' Allah
"Prognósticos só no final."
Rui.