Taouz - lot's of Hassle?
 

I have read in the book Sahara Overland that there is lot's of hassle in the village of Taouz, south of Merzouga. It is also written that people were stoned there.
Is it really that bad?
I was in Merzouga one year ago and there wasn't too much hassle (compared to Marrakech).

Also, how is the road from Merzouga to Taouz (and further - direction Zagora -)? Is it passable with a "normal" city car?

Hi there,
Can't say I had any hassle in Taouz but it was several years ago I was there. As a suggestion there are loads of different desert camps and guest houses to stay in around erg chebbi all of which have a way nicer vibe than staying in Taouz. They're all pretty well spread apart so you get some nice desert solitude nightime. All you have to do is to head from Merzouga to erg chebbi and then follow around till you find somewhere you like and in budget - they range from cheap sleep on the roof jobs to deluxe camps with swimming pool. Only piece of advice if you go this option is to take your own water if you don't have a filter as the wells there are iffy and they sting you on the bottled stuff.
As for the roads, locals travels round in regular cars, mopeds, bicycles, etc so you shouldn't have any worries.
Enjoy the trip!
Richard

Hi,
I think what is meant by hassling in taouz is that when the boys of the village see a tourist with his car , they all talk with him at once , hopping to guide him to where he wants , either to visit the graved stones nearby or go with him to Zagoura or tagounite , and sometimes just to corss the river of Ghress in the village of Remlia .It is not for the comparison with Marrakesh or even Merzouga.I can say that the gate in merzouga centre is more hassling than Taouz.
The piste from Merzouga to Taous is asphalted(tarmc) , and from Taouz to Zagoura is still piste , and the only sandy place is near the dunes of ouzina,and oued ghress in Remlia.Apart from these two places ,the normal city car can do it. In case , for more info , just email us in our camp email ;aghbalouramlia@yahoo.com
have nice trip

And in those two places?

Also in the Michelin map this (southern) piste is marked as "forbidden". Are there any reasons as to why?

No, at least I didnt found it different from anyother town in Morocco.
Been there in 2003 and last month.


Tarmac all the way to Taouz, unfortunately. From Taouz to Zagora, I think a 4X4 is the way to go.

It seems that the southern route is only for 4X4.
What about the northern one? (The one which goes through Oum-Jrane, Tissemoumine and Tizi-n-Tafilalet)

Already???? Since when? I thought it was only from Rissani to Merzouga...

Hi Luis,

I have no idea. In Jan 2003 the tar road to Merzouga was still under construction...

Merzouga is OK-ish, Taouz is a real hassle. I was there three weeks ago and was so fed up with the 'welcome' from the locals and their attitude that I turned right round and rode out again.

According to the German owner of Saharasky.com there are some polisario stirrings in the area.

Tim

the car will find problems in these places bc they are sandy places , and there is no connection with what is mentioned as polisario people.
the place is so safe .

from Merzouga to Taouz is Tarmac.You can do it by car in 15 minutes.

It is 2 years now .

indeed,tarmac to taouz

never been hassled south of the Atlas anyway.

piste from taouz to zagora can be done with a car but do take a jack,spare tyres and sandboards with you as there are some very tricky parts.
thereis 2 ouads which can be very muddy when there was rain(as there was a while ago) but in dry conditions it should be fine.