Melilla - Merzouga route advice?

[Paji]

Hi

I have a plan to spend two weeks in Morocco on my 1150GSA in the end of March 09. My planned track is from Melilla to Merzouga, Zagora, Tata, Quarzazate, Midelt and back to Melilla. I have saved traces from my previous trip in desert between Merzouga, Zagora and Found Zguid I started in Ceuta. But I do not have personal experience with direction Melilla - Merzouga.

Who has experience and mainly saved GPS traces between Melilla and Merzouga? I designed my planned trip based on Google Earth satellite pictures and maps but I will appreciate your experiences and trace tip with this direction. Thank a lot.

 

[Tim Cullis]

There's a number of ways you could go. I had a play in the Beni-Snasseri mountains between Berkane and Oujda, but it was nothing special.

The area around Debdou looks interesting but I've not done it.

You could head across the Rekkam Plateau, there are many tracks but it's impossible to state what condition they are in--the area has had heavy rainfall at various times over the last 15 months. Also the northern section is thinly inhabited which means pistes are not so well maintained and there's less chance of fuel and supplies.

A more predictable route would be to go via Taza (interesting cave system nearby), then across the eastern end of the Middle Atlas via Tizi Bou Zabel to Immouzer-des-Marmouche and on to Missour. From there I've cut across the Rekkam to Talsinnt (Dakar 2006 end of special) and down to Boudnib.

Tim

 

[merzougazagoura]

hello,Tim made the route clear ,I think.Best travel

 

[Paji]

....
A more predictable route would be to go via Taza (interesting cave system nearby), then across the eastern end of the Middle Atlas via Tizi Bou Zabel to Immouzer-des-Marmouche and on to Missour. From there I've cut across the Rekkam to Talsinnt (Dakar 2006 end of special) and down to Boudnib.
Tim

Hi Tom,

Thanks for your tip. My originally preferable track is:

Melilla - Nador - route N19 - route R603 - route N6 - Taurirt - route N19 - Anoual - route R604 - route R601 - Tajjite - route R 601 - Tazzouguert - route N13 - Merzouga

I traveled couple of thousand kilometers in Morocco on my bike before but I newer ridded from Melilla to Merzouga in this direction.

I still prefer my original trace but I afraid that you are right with absence of petrol stations etc... Do you know about some saved GPS traces or other information about petrol stations and opportunities for accommodations on this trace. I do not like to spend my holiday in one place in middle of nowhere with empty petrol tank.

Thanks a lot

 

[Paji]

Hi folks,

I identified other possible route from Melilla to Merzouga.

Rouet: Nador - Oujda - Tendrara - Bou Arfa - Bouanene - Bounedib - Erfound - Merzouga.

I never saw any information about this trace on the webs. Are there anybody here with real experience with this route?

Time is running and I would like to finalize my trace plan soon.

Thanks