Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > North Africa
North Africa Topics specific to North Africa and the Sahara down to the 17th parallel (excludes Morocco)
Photo by Daniel Rintz, Himba children, Namibia

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

Photo by Daniel Rintz,
Himba children, Namibia



Trans Sahara Routes.

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 8 Nov 2009
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: northern ireland
Posts: 20
Zate Valley nr Marrakech

Has anybody been all the way to the end of the Zate valley piste? (40kms out of Marrakech en route to Ouarzazate) I followed it last week, after reading glowing reports in Lonely Planet, who generally get things spot on. I followed the piste for 20kms above the town of Arba Talatast and found it very uninspiring so turned back as I was getting near the end of my trip and didn't want to waste time. Just wondered if it became something special towards the end of the piste?? The following morning I stumbled upon a piste that WAS special. Coming down from the col of Tizi-n Test, just about 5kms after the col (going in direction of Taroudant) a piste leads off to the left. Only a few kms down this piste is a valley with 4 or 5 villages set among the most amazing terraces that wouldn't look out of place in China. Definitely worth a side-trip!
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 8 Nov 2009
Tim Cullis's Avatar
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: London and Granada Altiplano
Posts: 3,078
I did part of the Zate/Zat valley earlier this year. The route is tarmac (olive yellow in map below) until Arba Talatast. There's supposed to be some dinosaur footprints to the south west and I tried some tracks (red in map) but couldn't get through. It was only when I got back to the high ground at Talatast that I saw the track I needed heading due west.

Anyway, I went a short way south on another piste (nowhere near as far as you) where there's supposed to be the start of a tunnel that would provide an alternate way through to the south rather than over the Tizi n'Tichka, but then headed back again.



I then tried, successfully, to find the piste to the east that links to the main road over the Tichka. This was easy for about six miles (blue on map) but when I could see the road in the distance far below me the piste suddenly deteriorated and walking on ahead I found part was washed away and impassable to 4-wheel vehicles. I reckoned I could get through on the bike, but it took more than an hour of road building--moving rocks, using stones to fill gaps--to get the bike down the steep slope, then I gritted my teeth and went for what was by then nothing more than a mule track with a severe dropoff.

I'm still here, so obviously made it.

Tim
__________________
"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
  #3  
Old 9 Nov 2009
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: northern ireland
Posts: 20
Hi Tim. I met three french guys on KTMs who had come over from the Tizi n Tichka road , probably on your blue piste - they were recommending that run. Maybe make time on another trip to explore the area more thoroughly. Nigel
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 9 Nov 2009
Tim Cullis's Avatar
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: London and Granada Altiplano
Posts: 3,078

This was the difficult stretch of piste AFTER I had spent over an hour improving it.
You can see the track coming down from the top left of the photo. My bike is in the
middle distance but I have already offloaded the luggage and carried it down the track.


The reason there's no four-wheeled traffic on the piste past this point!
It was the 'mule track' the other side that had me worried.


About to tackle the drop off. The beaten earth path is just over a foot wide.

Video clip: YouTube - Zate Valley to Tichka 'shortcut'

Tim
__________________
"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)

Last edited by Tim Cullis; 9 Nov 2009 at 16:01.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 9 Nov 2009
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: northern ireland
Posts: 20
Thanks Tim - found your photos and video clip very interesting. Whats difficult/dangerous going on a heavy, well-loaded adventure tourer may have been meat and drink to those guys travelling luggage -free, dressed like moto-crossers on KTM 450s! Hate those narrow off-camber pistes - I went along one like that to get to a lake up in Ait Bougoumez and a local had hopped on the back as a self-appointed guide. He was totally trusting of my ability (misplaced trust!!) and unaware of the danger of tumbling 100m down a very steep slope.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 9 Nov 2009
Tim Cullis's Avatar
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: London and Granada Altiplano
Posts: 3,078
As you sound as if you're interested in different places... the cliffside granaries of Aoujgal to the southwest of Imilchil...

(copied from UKGSer posting)


I did a lot of pre-trip planning for the recent trip in April and got to visit a pile of new (to me) places. I found more examples of rock engravings (pic above) and I visited quite a few granaries. Historically capturing someone's grain harvest is a way of completely subjugating a tribe as they have no food for the winter and no seed for next year's crop. Hence there are quite a few fortified granaries which in Berber are called agadirs and tagadirts.

The granaries at Aoujgal are different as they are halfway down a sheer cliff face (there's some more examples of this type on the Talouet piste).


Close up from above


Wider angle


Follow the strata line to gain access

Video link (bit of shake in the voice!): YouTube - Morocco: the cliffside granaries of Aoujgal
Tim
__________________
"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 9 Nov 2009
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: northern ireland
Posts: 20
That all looks fascinating thanks. Imilchil and the area round it, Cirque de Jaffar etc is high on priorities for next trip - also the area around Tafroute looks interesting. Nigel
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
Death Valley billy_b57 Route Planning 4 8 Jan 2009 17:50
Cairo to Valley of the Kings? Hindu1936 North Africa 1 2 Jun 2008 09:35
Death Valley J. Cadena North America 4 14 Jan 2007 22:54
Sutlej valley, lahaul. NSML West and South Asia 1 13 Sep 2005 03:49
Kettle Valley Railroad BC mackai Route Planning 1 25 Sep 2002 20:12

 
 

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 15:03.