Morocco trip: Clock or anti clockwise

[ThreeDawg]

I'm looking at a trip to Morocco in mid October, and have roughed out a (fairly predictable) route eg: Tanger-Marrakech-Ouazazate-Dades Valley, Todra Gorges etc.-Er Rachida (and maybe Erfoud)-Fes-Tanger in rather less time than I'd like (nine days).

My question is, are there any good reasons why this loop route should be tackled one way round or the other?

ThreeDawg

 

[Timolgra]

Anti clockwise. Your ride over the Atlas will be much better with a different Morocco unfolding as you head south

 

[ThreeDawg]

Thanks.

 

[Timolgra]

Ouazazate-Dades Valley, Todra Gorges etc.-Er Rachida (and maybe Erfoud)-

If this is your first trip, instead of making Er Rachida or Erfoud any sort of destination find the time to at least nip down to Merzouga

 

[ThreeDawg]

First trip to Morocco, but not first trip of this kind.

Yeah, I read about Merzouga. I thought about going from Goulmina to Erfoud because those Hannesjorg Voth sculptures looked interesting and then heading north to Er Rachidia but I can see that Merzouga would fit in fine, maybe for a two night stay with an off bike excursion into the dunes.

 

[Tim Cullis]

Azrou in the Middle Atlas 80km south of Fez is one of my favourite places--I came close to buying some land here. Hotel Cedars is cheap and central, Hotel Azrou is cheap and a little seedy but with a bar, Hotel Panorama is more expensive with a bar.

You can then head south through the limestone karst scenery and cedar forests to Ain Leuh, Sources d'Oum er Rbia (impressive springs/torrents of the start of Morocco's longest river) and Aguelmane Azigza to Khenifra.

Then once past Beni Mellal head south to the Bin el Ouidane reservoir before visiting Azilal and Cascades d'Ouzoud, then slight backtrack to the natural bridge of Imi n'Ifri near Demnate. Then on to Marrakech.

All the above on reasonable roads suitable for 2-up. Pictures on Looklex: http://looklex.com/morocco/index.htm

 

[ThreeDawg]

Hey Tim

Yes, I've just been looking at Azrou and certainly appreciate the route advice to Marrakesh.

Route has mutated slightly, instead of a big ol' blast down the coast to Marrakesh from Tangiers Med I thought we'd head south to Azrou (although Tripadvisor doesn't seem to have much good to say about hotels/pensions there) and then Marra, Ouzazate for a couple of nights so we can go down the Draa Valley, Tenehir/Todra, Merzouga for two nights and then north to Fes for a couple of nights and then home.

Revised route will cost us a night somewhere along the way (were going to have 2 in Marrakesh), but motorways I can get here...