Driving A Truck Fes-Imlichil-Todra
 

Hi Everybody,

I'm after some advice on road conditions.

We're driving an overland truck. She is approx 9.5 meters long, so needs a bit of a wider swing than some to get her around tight corners.

The route we're after some advice on is as follows:

Todra Gorge to Imlichil - I understand this road is now paved? If so, is it wide enough for trucks?

Imlichil to Fes - What's the best route to take? Presumably get to Khenifra where we'll be on the tar all they way to Fes? Does that mean going via El Ksiba? Or is it simply best to head from Imlichil across to Er Rich and up the main highway via Midelt?

Our concern is the roads being too steep or narrow for a largish truck.

Would very much appreciate any advice. Thanks in advance!

David

The road north through the Todra Gorge to Imichil is indeed tarmac now, I did this route a few years ago in the snow. I don't recall it being particularly tight but then I'm in a much smaller vehicle.

From Imichil there are a few options to get to Midelt, east towards Rich or head north to El Kebab. Again I've driven both and don't recall either way being particularly difficult or narrow

However, have a look a Tim Cullis' posts about the rain last weekend some parts may have been damaged particularly in the Gorge

Lots of longish 7.5m motorhomes do this route nowadays! There no permanent damage in the gorge from the rains, it's not like the 2006 floods.

Todra to Imilchil is straightforward. There's a narrow pass after the plateau of the lakes but it's only for 300m or so and all sorts of heavy trucks use it. The route via El Ksiba is horrible and twisty, mile after mile. A better route is to turn right through Arhbala/Aghbala and head towards but not quite touching El Kebab.

Aghbala is memorable for the sheer quantity of signs written in Tamazert, one of the Berber languages.

The Warden and Tim,

Many thanks indeed for your thoughts and advice appreciate that.

So in summary:

Todra Gorge to Imilchil is tarred and simple enough in a truck.

Avoid heading from Imilchil via El Ksiba.

Instead go right towards Aghbala, onto Moulay Yakkoub, and onto the main highway south of Tighassaline and up to Fes that way? This is ok for trucks all the way?

Many thanks again guys!

David

it is a bit daft having an overland truck, spending all that dosh and then you worry if it can take a piste or trail or a bit of mud :doh: not so overland then

Usually I'd agree, but I've known in the past other operators have had to turn around as the roads in certain parts of the Atlas are not wide enough to get largish trucks through. Therefore we're seeking advice.

We are a commercial overland operator so just making sure the route is possible before committing the itinerary to a particular route.

A very sensible approach Dave, I've certainly driven some routes in Morocco that were alarmingly narrow in a Landcruiser let alone a truck.

Generally if its tarmac the local trucks get through so you should be fine, on pistes it can be a different story all together

Tinerhir to El Kebab via Aghbala is route MH2 in Morocco Overland but now tar the whole way. Heading this way then upto fes on the main road is definitely truck friendly