is there a sealed route through morocco

[tsbnoise]

Hi guys, I am brand new to motorcycle traveling, and want to make a trip down through Morocco and want to take the missis!

However she doesn't want to go off road for our first trip, I want to entice her into the ways of motorcycle adventure, so I thought that if there is a rural rd route through Morocco it would be great to intice her into more adventureous trips!

All route suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Cheers to Chris Sott for his inspiration!

[James Surtees]

Hi, No problem you can get nearly everywhere on sealed roads, most of them very good. Also a lot of tracks shown on maps are now sealed. cheers peter.(just posted a route on pete and sue morocco route if you are interested)

[tsbnoise]

thanks for your reply, am off to have a look at your route cheers!

[tsbnoise]

the route that Peter has posted on Sue and Peter looks pretty good on the map, but anymore suggestions would be great!

[K1200RS]

You can cover a vast amount of Morocco on sealed roads. In fact you can get all the way to the dunes at Merzouga on roads with only the last 2 or 3 k's on hard piste. It's well worth it. I took a K1200RS down there no problem. The route I did was over to Ceuta, Chefchaouen (good first overnight stop to get acclimatised..) then Marrakesh, over the Tizi 'n Tichka Pass (2000m and a great ride) to track the south side of the Atlas down to Ouarzazate and Errachidia to Merzouga then back north again. Takes about 7-10 days.

Get a foretaste of what real border crossing is like when you enter (don't be put off but it does take time and if it is your first time, swallow your pride and pay one of the semi-official guides to help you through, otherwise it's not easy to fathom what they are asking for), very friendly place but do expect "hassle". It's not as bad as it was but there is one area to stay away from, in the mountains east of Fes. Dope growing area and you'll risk to get stitched up first by the locals then the police.

Morocco started my interest in the desert. Off to Libya this year.

[tsbnoise]

thats brilliant info cheers mate, any other hany tips anyone can think of for the dreaded border crossing it will be my very first non eu crossing (except fpr those with standard air travel!)

cheers tsbnoise

[NCR]

Originally Posted by tsbnoise

any other hany tips anyone can think of for the dreaded border crossing

Hi,

Cross in Tanger. Part of the formalities are done in the boat. Fill a white form (given in the boat) and hand it over to the policeman seating somewhere in the boat (just look for the queue) He will stamp your passport with the entry in the Country.
In Tanger, get a green form in duplicate (vehicle temporary import) from the "douane", fill it and sit in the queue. A policeman will come and collect it. He will retain the green form and give you the duplicate with a stamp on it. Dont lose this duplicate! You will need it when leaving the country.
In Ceuta the process is identical but usuall takes a bit longer,as all the formalities are done at the border.
No need to pay anyone.

[tsbnoise]

Thanks a million NCR that is a fantastic tip one that I shall employ!

thanks again tsbnoise

[Eric DN]

Hi
Unfortunately they are more and more sealed roads in Morocco.
Be carreful the roads are very dangerous, more than on the track. there are a lot of accidents. Also avoid to drive by night, you can find every things on the road, donkeys moped peoples bicycle etc.. and without lights
Have a good trip

[FreeCaRveR]

plenty of sealed road indead.
Even most pistes can be done normal car/bikes.

soak up the culture,you will enjoy it.

[Land Rover]

You can cover a vast amount of Morocco on sealed roads. In fact you can get all the way to the dunes at Merzouga on roads with only the last 2 or 3 k's on hard piste. It's well worth it. I took a K1200RS down there no problem. The route I did was over to Ceuta, Chefchaouen (good first overnight stop to get acclimatised..) then Marrakesh, over the Tizi 'n Tichka Pass (2000m and a great ride) to track the south side of the Atlas down to Ouarzazate and Errachidia to Merzouga then back north again. Takes about 7-10 days.

What route did you take back up north...the same??
Thanks...

[Eric DN]

Hi
you could fine here Two 400 XR in Morocco - ADVrider a report of my trip in Morocco, if you want information regarding GPS points, tracks or map, don't hesitate let a message.

Eric

[Matt Cartney]

Hi,

I've done the crossing to Ceuta and it's pretty painless. Funnily enough I've always gone there because I'd been told it was less hassle thatn Tanger. I can't comment on the accuracy of this though, never having crossed at TAnger.

The way I go about it is as follows. On the road to the ferry terminal at Algericas I stop at one of the numerous ticket agencies that abound on the road and buy my ticket (they all cost the same). Then drive up to the terminal and board the Seacat ferry, which takes approx. 30 mins. from memory.

Once in Ceuta I go to the customs , cross out of Spain and into Moroccan customs. Here I get one of the guys mooching around to help me out with all the paperwork having first agreed a price of no more than a few bucks. I find this makes the whole thing easy and quick. Once it is all done I give the guy his fee plus a little extra to shut him up, and ride off into Morocco.

One tip, try to get a green card from your insurance company. A piece of white paper which says 'this takes the place of a green card' only gives the customs guys an opportunity to fleece you for a bribe.

Matt

[NCR]

Originally Posted by K1200RS

In fact you can get all the way to the dunes at Merzouga on roads with only the last 2 or 3 k's on hard piste.

Hi,

Not so anymore.There is tarmac all the way to Taouz...

[Camelman]

Hi
I've just come back from our fist trip (in a Landrover Jan, Feb, Mar 07). Visited Morocco, Western Sahara, Mautitania and Senegal.
Just go for it, awesome place the missus and I loved it and are already planning our next trip.

Travelling with our Camel Trophy | One Life, Live It

if you want any advice contact me via my website and I will gladly impart my limited knowledge.

You can go virtually anywhere in Morocco on sealed roads the scenery is fantastic and the driving never gets boring even on the sealed roads. Unfortunately they are sealing a lot off the piste's.
Stay away from the bigger cities and the western side of the Atlas until your way back. You get more hassle from touts here. Also stay away from Ketema (dope growing area).

Chalky