are landmines in Morocco a real threat while off-road?

[robson]

Hi,
in spring I'm planning to my first trip to Morocco and wonder
if landmines I've read about in some government warnings sites a real threat
since I like to do some off-roading as well. Is Western Sahara the only possibility?
thanks

[gren_t]

HI AFIK the areas that were mined are the border crossing with Mauri - I can confirm that as an italian was killed at the crossing in 2007 the week before i crossed into Mauri,also the areas close the the mauri / western sahara border bund embankment

you will be safe in morroco just stay away from the border areas

regards
Gren

[robson]

thanks Gren, I appreciate the info.

[vrecha]

Use the search.
We've debated and argued about this issue numerous times and as with all grey areas, opinions differ wildly, as do also experiences.
Morocco is safe unless you really push your curious spirit to places where you should not go. Don't worry, you'll be spotted and warned and turned around if necessary before you'll be aware you approached really dangerous places, they know how to deal with enthusiastic tourists.
Western Sahara is different in this regard - inland, you can easily find yourself driving on a minefield, with no signs to warn you, no one near to help you in case of disaster.
But some of us travel the WS on a regular basis and some of us also believe that it can be done in a relatively safe way and that rewards grossly outweigh the risks involved.
One recent article on the subject, for example:
The Western Sahara—Adventuring Into the Forgotten Badlands of Terra Incognita | Toyota Trails, November/December 2014

[Chris Scott]

Short version: as Gren says keep away from unmanned land borders including the Berm (embankment), but also think twice about off-roading at all in southern Western Sahara (WS).
You can see 99.9% of what's worth seeing in Morocco by following this advice.

The Mori crossing out of WS is the best known and well signed minefield as that is most visited by travellers and where (needless) accidents have happened. But that is one end of the Moroccan-built Berm (defensive wall) which reaches some 2000km northeast towards Zag opposite the Algerian border. There are mines all along the Berm (as well as fortified installations). People - including Dakar racers - have stuck mines in its vicinity.
It's hard to get near the heavily militarised Berm, but lately people are talking of exploring inland from the Atlantic Highway: Moroccan occupied Western Sahara - and in the south of this region (south of Dakhla latitude) there are minefields near pistes that are not necessarily near the Berm or clearly signed (relics from Polisario war?). Even pulling too far off the Highway south of Dakhla for an overnight is said to carry risks (though I imagine I'm not alone in having done this after the Convoy ended but before infrastructure was improved).

Up north it is possible there are mines along the Algerian border, but this frontier is well patrolled that as soon as you get close you get spotted and sent back. Other than that, in 'mainland' Morocco (not Western Sahara) the place most people go, there are no mines.

[Peter Girling]

Hi Robson,

Where are you thinking of going in Morocco?

Peter

[robson]

Originally Posted by Peter Girling

Hi Robson,

Where are you thinking of going in Morocco?

Peter

Hi Peter,
somewhere around those points:

Smir Marina, Tetouan, Chefchaouen, Ouazzane,
Fes, Azrou, Midelt, Errachidia, Merzouga,
Tinerhir, Imilchil, Boumalne Dades, Ouarzazate,
Marrakech, Demnate, Kasba Tadla, Oued Zem, Rommani,
Khemisset,Meknes, Sidi Kacem, Asilah

I love riding bike off road but I guess general consensus is to keep the beaten tracks.

[gplhl]

The Mauritania border is fine if you cross on the worn tracks everyone else uses. It's pretty obvious when your on it which bits to ride.




Gary
www.longbikeride.co.uk

[moggy 1968]

the people that hit a mine were miles (as in lots of) off route. The area all around the border crossing is fine. The scare stories are designed to encourage people to pay for unnecessary guides.

Don't be stupid and you'll be fine for the crossing. thousands of people have crossed in this area and not one has had a problem with mines, only those that foolishly decide to go and do a bit of 'exploring' and go way off route.

[Peter Girling]

Hi Robson,

In answer to your original post - the route you've chosen is completely mine free. Unless you visit the abandoned lead mine near Midelt. Or the silver mine near Tinerhir...

Seriously - it's perfectly safe.

Happy trails,

Peter

[robson]

Thanks Peter,
that is reassuring then.

The only other concern I have is the potential terrorists attacks, kidnapping etc
but I will try to search for some info on this forum because I'm sure it was discussed already. Search functionality is not the best I must say here,no way to search only specific forum, like e.g. only Morocco.

[Chris Scott]

We can all save you a search Robson.
As long as I've been going there I've never heard of anyone being kidnapped in Morocco.
There was a deadly bomb in Marrakech in 2011 and maybe another one or two a few years before that. So much like the UK then.

As Peter said, nothing to worry about.

[inazuma]

Search functionality is not the best I must say here,no way to search only specific forum, like e.g. only Morocco.

try the search this forum button

enjoy and no worries .

BeJo

[birima]

Chris Scott said:

also think twice about off-roading at all in southern Western Sahara (WS).

Spot on! Few days ago, landmines explosion 290 km's south of Dakhla.

Mort de deux Marocains dans l’explosion d’une mine terrestre au Sahara

[kneeslider]

stay away from the "berm" & the border areas