Mezouga to Tagounite
 

A friend and I are planning a three week trip around Morocco next easter and i have a question about the route from Mezouga to Tagounite that runs near the Algerian border.

The Michelin map lists this route as a "forbidden road". I'm assuming this doesn't mean that we're likely to be dodging bullets if we take it as the dutch guy from ispog.com did it and didn't mention anything untoward on his site, apart from some very soft fesfes.

is this currently a viable route to take, and is it still likely to be, in 8 months time?

Hi Rich,
We (2 people, 1 vehicle) went on this piste in February 2007 in a normal car (Audi 100, 2x4) following the route from Chris Scott's book. It is mostly hard rocky terrain apart from two sections about 5 km long that cross the Oued Rheris at Remlia. We were told by the locals that we could not make it in a 2x4 but we tried and made it through after digging the car out once or twice. There are deep ruts in places and our three old skis mounted under the engine as part of the sump protection worked well in sliding through the soft sandy bits. It was a great drive through beautiful landscape and we did not have to dodge any bullets at all. Had contact with Moroccan border guards a few times which were very friendly (stayed with a bunch overnight and cooked dinner together). Fantastic scenery driving up and then down into the Tafenna crater. This route was one of our highlights on our trip to Banjul. Well recommended! Took us two and a half days driving carefully and three nights camping. I don't know if this route is/will stay open but can't see any reason why it wouldn't.

Micha

I did this last April without any problems. You pass near a couple of military checkpoints, but they weren't interested in us. As Micha says, the route's in Sahara Overland with GPS points so you shouldn't have any real problems. It's quite popular with french and spanish 4x4's and there's fuel in Er Ramilia.

cheers guys.

along with todra, dade and the tizi's around Marakesh, this was going to be one of the highlights of our trip.

glad to hear its not as "forbidden" as Michelin would have us believe.

Oued Rheris in an Audi - I'm impressed...

Ch