Merzouga to ZaGora

[de crowe]

Is there an alternative from Merzouga to ZaGora by track or small road? In Ouzzazzate with mike from Seattle on bikes rented in Marrakesh. A transalp and an xt660r. Very heavy rains here with loads of flooding road issue. Any one any thoughts

 

[patzx12]

Wat you doing Con, you could be in a cosy pub in Galway.
Weather is great here,
I am sure someone will be along soon with advise.
Dont know Morocco too well myself but I pm'd you my contact details.

 

[MrIFan]

If you're in Ouazarzatte then pop over and see Peter at bikershome (link at top of page).
There is very little of Maroc he doesn't know

 

[GSEddie]

Yes you can if you start heading for zagora down the N12 you can turn off left and follow the tracks to zagora download the topo map from the site below the tracks are marked on it
http://www.island-olaf.de/travel/marokko/gps.html

Cheers Eddie
Ps when I was there earlier in the year it was v hot

 

[de crowe]

Thanks for that

Thanks for your replies. After taking local advise we decided again taking this piste. Firstly it is very hot here around 40 degrees and the terrain has become more difficult because of recent heavy rains.we are on regular tires with some luggage. Instead we spent a very pleasant time playing on the bikes next to the Erg Chebbi dunes in Merzouga and cooling off in the swimming pool of the Nasser palace. there were a couple of Dutch Dakar teams training for the race with the most incredible "buggies" I have ever seen. I hope to post photos when I get home. Back in Marrakesh now will probably fly home tomorrow or Sunday.

 

[onehundredgoodreasons]

More info

Hi,
I'm in Fes just now and wanted to head to Zagora, sticking to the tarmac roads. Could you please give more info regarding flooded road issues. Which were the good and bad ones?
Cheers
Craig

 

[Riz Sauvage]

You'll be ok mate, take fez, sefrou, midelt, errachidia, erfoud route, I came through there this week, and the roads are fine, the flooding and rain was more across the middle and high atlas, around Ouazarzate, telouet, demnates..

 

[de crowe]

i would think you will be fine

Hi,
I'm in Fes just now and wanted to head to Zagora, sticking to the tarmac roads. Could you please give more info regarding flooded road issues. Which were the good and bad ones?
Cheers
Craig

no issues whatsoever on the way back, other than debris on roads etc. and residue of flooding but otherwise everything absolutely fine. off road in areas you would expect to be dry you have (larger) streams, rivers , sticky mushy mud etc. but travel by road not impeded in any way and made more interesting.

had severe rain as we passed east from marrakesh to ouzazzatte, completely different drive west in the opposite direction although there was plenty of wash on the roads all along.

tried to visit one of Tim's German art pieces, the stairs or orion etc., got about 500 metres off road when we encountered a substantial river, which i am sure receeded in the next few days. didn't try to traverse it, simply turned around and continued on our way to Merzouga.

you have probably passed on by now. sorry i was flying home yesterday.

 

[onehundredgoodreasons]

Roads ok

Yes, the N10 and N9 were all ok.
Thanks
Craig

 

[Tim Cullis]

Left Bikershome this morning, currently in Marrakech and heading for Asni/Imlil tomorrow. Today was weird weather--bright sunshine, 34c, rain, thunder, lightning. All at the same time!