Morocco - Imichil to Boulemane Dades

[bikerden]

I understand that the road from El-Kasiba down to Imichil is now surfaced, but does anyone have any current info on the road from Imichil down to Dades ? I'm contemplating taking the 2012 Scoots trip through this route if it's likely to be passable with 11 Scoots + a 4x4 with trailer !
Thanks
Dennis

[Chris Scott]

Hi Dennis, I have not been there for a couple of years but I'd be surprised if the Msemrir-Agoudal section (MHI Dades-Imilchil) gets sealed before Ait Hani-Agoudal (MH2 Tinerhir branch). That was the one they seemed to be working on. Not a lot of space or clearance on MH1 for a trailer at times, iirc. Much depends on recent weather.
Map here

Ch

[bikerden]

Cheers Chris, I'm hoping to get over for a recce over christmas, if I make it I'll let you know!

[TTAlmeida]

Hi,
I've done that road in September of 2010...
It's a bit hard to do it with a trailer, even on a 4x4...
We started at 16h50 and arrived at "The Perle of Dades" at around 23h10!!!
After getting out of Imilchil the sky turned dark, when we where starting to climb the fist mountain started a brutal thunderstorm with heavy rain, the "path" was like an ice ring, a 1150GSA fully loaded with my wife on the back...It was hard, but it's done!!!

Today I remember those hours with a feeling of mission accomplished


At the arrival of Msmerir a river with 50cm depth was crossing the main road, we had the help of 10 of the local habitants between hundreds of watchers...And we crossed at least 3 more rivers, some on the road, some in the middle of villages!

I would recommend to start early in the morning and with no rain!

Next week I'll try to post the pictures of the beginning of the track!

[Chris Scott]

Sounds quite an adventure TT, look forward to some photos.

Ch

[Fantastic Mister Fox]

I rode the Imichill To Boulmane dades in the summer.

This track is in reasonable condition apart from a short section washed out on a oued bed.

If you'r taking it easy I see no reason why the C90s shouldn't have a problem. It can be narrow on top of the gorge.

but this is priceless:

[guyinthejungle]

Hi Mr Fox,

I was there in May and it hadn't been tarred. Ilmchil down Todra has been. It is an epic route, have you tried MH4? I think it is on a par.

I'm going there next year again. Are you the same Mr fox from ABR and live in Bristol. If so fancy a meet up?

Guy

[Fantastic Mister Fox]

No tar on agoudal to Msmerir in early July, just a fantastic track through beautiful senery, sorry if my first post was misleading.

[Jimbike]

Hi all

I was there four weeks ago (November 7th) and there is still no sign of tarmac once off the Imilchil-Tinrhir road. A lad at the Auberge told us the pass was snowed in but we suspected him of wanting us to stay there so tried it anyway. We only got a few miles before a shepherd flagged us down and told us the pass was five feet deep in snow and impassable. I believed him so turned around and continued on the tarmac to Todra Gorge. There had been some heavy snow and rain along the mountains then and I wouldn't think it would get any better until Spring.

[bikerden]

Thanks for the info Guys, guess we'll have to wait and see what the weather is doing a litytle closer to our "off" on 4th March

Jim, from reading your post are you saying that it is possible to get Imichil and down through the Todra Gorge on tarmac now?

[Tim Cullis]

The southern 20+km of the route Agoudal to M'semrir has been tarmaced in the last year but the middle 45km is still piste and likely to remain that way.

I class it as a 'blue' piste which in good conditions 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 including an 800-m lateral ford and some boggy sections. It climbs to around 9,500 ft, so don't try it if there's snow around. Some pics here.

Bikerden: the route from Imilchil past Agoudal and Ait Hani and then down the Todra is now totally tarmac, see pics here.

[CaBRita]

Brilliant photos Tim!

I've been riding pistes further south but this looks amazing. Makes me wanna pack (light, of course) right now and just leave!

BR,
Luís Cabrita

[Jimbike]

I was surprised how much tarmac had been laid since my last visit in 2000. I rode the Cirque de Jaffar - Imilchil - Todra then and there was none.

Morocco 2000 - a set on Flickr
I think I recognised the spot where there was a berber tent cafe stop but it was certainly quicker and smoother this time!

I really want to get back soon and ride more trails including the one to Dades.

[Tim Cullis]

Don't understand--the Cirque de Jaffar isn't tarmac or indeed likely to be so for a long time.

[Jimbike]

Sorry, I didn't mean it to sound like the Cirque is tarmac now, just the R317 and R703.