Azrou, Midelt, Ar-Rachidia, Ouarzazate, west?

[zenbiker]

Hi folk,

I'm currently in Fes, two up with my lady, Africa Twin, not looking for off-piste. We're ultimately heading west coast to Nigeria and maybe beyond.

Any thoughts on the route above for a couple who want to see the country without meeting too many coach-loads of selfie snappers? (Grant warned us about Nordkapp but we had to find out the hard way...)

Thanks!

Simon
bigtrip19.blogspot.com

[Two Stroke Cat]

Hi Simon,
good to see you and your wife on a Africa Twin!
I would suggest the following route down South-West.

Fes N8 south to Azrou - Khenifra - El Ksiba - Beni Mellal
Beni - Mellal is a busy town, but not full of tourist.

From Beni-Mellal I would travel to Demnate ( I would avoid Marrakesh as a personal preference ).

Just outside Demnate in the hills overlooking Demnate is a posh 4 star hotel called " Kasbah Illy". It's out of Demnate going into the hills on the R307 road.
Around £70.- a room per night. It's the best hotel in Morocco I've been!.
From Demnate you could head to Quarzazate, but avoid that part of the R307 as it is very demanding and rough.
From Quarzazate you have many options to travel onwards.

I wasn't impressed by Midelt, but it is a famous berber town.

All above roads are tarmac and in good condition.

[TheWarden]

I replied to you on Facebook Simon, not sure if you saw it.

Nice back roads between Azrou and Midelt and the main roads not to bad. Careful from Midelt down to Er Rachidia the police are out in force with speed traps. I counted 10 last week.

Todra, Dades and Ait Benhaddou among that route will be full of tourists. Taroudannt is a nice sleepy town. Agadir not so much unless you want Pizza Hut and Casino.

Erg Chebbi will also be full of tourists. It’s high season at the moment. But the main road across from here is a better drive imho.

R307 is tarmac. A bit beaten up in places but not a hard route by any means


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[zenbiker]

Chaps that's a wealth of great stuff, ta.

Yes, The Warden, I believe I did see your post on FB (didn't know it was you of course!), was trying to collate a range of views before deciding.

Have to say, all the above notwithstanding, we might do the N9 Ouarzazate - Marrakech, just because the ride looks on the Michelin like it must be a great one

Thanks again.

Simon (& Angelika)

[Chris Scott]

N9 is the main road to Ozt, but gets as wide as a motorway near the top.
Just after the pass you may want to turn left and drop down via Telouet to avoid all the lorries on the N9. near the end shoot through Ait Benhaddou in 2 mins.

Even two-up, an AT will eat up the R307, another great Atlas crossing with virtually no traffic.

So is MH1 out of Midelt. To stay on the asphalt, turn on to MH2 at Agoudal and then MH11 at Ait Hani and 13 Amellagof down to Goulmima (to avoid Todra and Tinerhir). Goes through an amazing gorge.

Many great desert roads from there west to the coast like MS9 to Zagora. Shoot through there (tourist central) and aim for Foum Zguid.

[roro]

Hi,
I don't know if you're telling about Gheris' gorges (north Goulminia), but yes it's amazing!
RR.

[tony johnston]

For me the Oued Rheris gorge and then up to Agoudal or down is the best of the three gorges as it is the quietest.It may lack the overall drama of Dades but then you almost certainly will not have to reverse back on a cliff edge to accommodate greedy tour groups coming the other way.All respect to good tour leaders