Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > Morocco
Maroc route to western sahara Maroc route to western sahara
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Morocco Topics specific to Morocco, including Western Sahara west of the berm
Photo by George Guille, It's going to be a long 300km... Bolivian Amazon

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by George Guille
It's going to be a long 300km...
Bolivian Amazon



Like Tree8Likes
  • 2 Post By Tim Cullis
  • 1 Post By TheWarden
  • 2 Post By Afrikiya
  • 2 Post By TheWarden
  • 1 Post By Chris Scott

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 23 Jun 2023
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jun 2023
Location: france
Posts: 44
Maroc route to western sahara
There's little point in me trying to "make the best route" when i've never travelled through morocco on a bike. I'm looking to receive information on routes through morocco down to western sahara is. Is there a thread or resource that shares "the best" routes through morocco and ws? I'm not looking to rush down the country but instead visiting the small rural areas that someone with 15 days wouldn't be able to do. I appreciate all the info, thanks in advance!
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 24 Jun 2023
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Toronto, Canada
Posts: 2,125
Once you enter WS, there's only one (paved) route you can take to get to Mauritania, and that's the coastal highway.

As for what route to take from the Tanger Med port to the border with WS, that's kind of like asking "What's the best route to take from Hamburg to Marseille?" There could be 1,000 different answers, it all depends on what you are interested in seeing - and to a lesser extent, what you are interested in avoiding.

Best suggestion I can give you is to purchase a Michelin Map of Morocco (Michelin map number 742) and spend time studying it. It is a superb map and includes all of WS as well. If you are buying it online, make sure you will be getting the latest issue, which I believe was released in either 2018 or 2022.

Michael
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 24 Jun 2023
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Bellingham, WA, USA
Posts: 3,905
While you're buying that Michelin map, pick up a copy of Chris Scott's Morocco Overland. Then you can come back here and ask more specific questions.

There is already an overwhelming amount of information on The HUBB--so much that without an overview it's difficult to make sense of it all. Map is a good first step; guidebook a close second.

Hope that's helpful.

Mark
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 24 Jun 2023
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jun 2023
Location: france
Posts: 44
Got it! What's your thoughts on taking off road tracks through ws and mauritania?
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 24 Jun 2023
Tim Cullis's Avatar
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: London and Granada Altiplano
Posts: 3,077
The best map for Morocco is Reise Knowhow, https://www.amazon.co.uk/Morocco-Rei...068/ref=sr_1_1 Ignore the description that it's from 2015, it's at least the 2019 version.

The Reise Knowhow map is plasticised (anti-rip) which the Michelin one isn't. It's double sided, so only half the physical size of Michelin. And like Michelin it shows scenic routes edged in green.

Many of the road numbers changed in 2018, Google Maps still shows the old numbers (!!) though Apple Maps and OpenStreetMap have the new numbers. The Reise map shows both old and new road numbers.
__________________
"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
  #6  
Old 24 Jun 2023
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Somewhere
Posts: 1,470
With regard to maps and guide books, all of them are out of date and won’t have all the new roads on. Fortunately for the WS there is only the main coast road to Mauritania, the Tantan-Smara-Laayoune road and old coast road from Tarfaya.

Google maps has been unblocked and is usable for directions now, although it did try to route us through reservoir that was constructed several years ago.

The inland pistes in the WS. They aren’t technical but are very remote, limited phone signal and of course there’s a risk of Uxos. We found mortar shells and rocket casings back in April near the Tantan Smara road. When we did the Dakhla piste in November we saw 2 vehicles and maybe 2 people in 3 days. As I’ve said before I don’t recommend travelling solo if you’re not an experienced desert travellers.

Inland Mauritania is similarly remote and finding petrol can be more difficult but not impossible. 2 motor biking social media types who recently documented their Mauritania travels had 4x4 support they didn’t mention. That said some friends who are very experienced travelled unsupported for several week in Mauritania on bikes last December.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 24 Jun 2023
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Andalousia
Posts: 45
The Reisse Map has been updated this year /edition number 13 - 2023)

https://www.reise-know-how.de/de/pro...11000000-45905
__________________
Carpe Diem
Last edited by Afrikiya; 24 Jun 2023 at 19:52. Reason: The link wasn't showed properly.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 24 Jun 2023
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: granada,spain
Posts: 342
Wow Warden.Where on the Tan Tan Smara road did you find them
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 24 Jun 2023
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Somewhere
Posts: 1,470
Mortar shells just east of the first cheap petrol stations. Rocket casings near the 2017 Mine location. Unexploded shells near Mseid just off the piste SE of the village. More mortar shells near El Haggouina
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 4 Jul 2023
Chris Scott's Avatar
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jun 2000
Posts: 4,814
Quote:
The Reisse Map has been updated this year /edition number 13 - 2023)
Fyi I just bought one.
Apart from the different cover, appears nearly identical to the 2019 (which was a genuine update, iirc).
Save your money.
Long version.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
morocco, north africa, planning, route, sahara

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

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
Hitchhiking from Nouadhibou across Western Sahara loistouring North Africa 7 11 Jul 2018 13:58
Western Sahara offroad trip DTec Morocco 9 18 Sep 2014 15:49
Mongolia - Northern Route in June 2014 Up The Junction Ride Tales 6 29 Jul 2014 09:27
Great Route Hitting Many High Points of Western US cyberbiker North America 3 25 Nov 2012 17:05
London to Cape Town, November 2012 Tfoy97603 Travellers Seeking Travellers 56 4 Sep 2012 16:51

 
 

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!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

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 23:33.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top