Morroco for the first time

[biggles12]

Hi
A group of us are off to Morocco for the first time on bikes, in May 2009. We only have 10 days so we would like to know where you recommend going. We want to ride some off road but not all.

In 2007 I went there flying paramotors (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtcrmukbYuQ) and got ripped off lots because we did not understand the paper work we needed. Thanks to this web site it won't happen this time.

Pete

 

[Aidan1150]

The search button is your friend Pete. There is a vast amount of information here on Morocco. Get the kettle on and settle in for a long read.

 

[biggles12]

been looking all morning. Thought I'd try the lazy way

Pete

 

[bladerunner]

My 2 pennoth:

The ferry from Algeciras is quick and easy

Stay overnight Cuerta (Spanish Africa) and do the border first thing - you gain 2 hours so could make crossing at 7am before it goes "mental"

Moroccan miles are twice european!

Avoid Rif mountains
Avoid Tangiers

Avoid Ramadan (which has just started)

Fez is very special
Marrakesh is getting touristy but still holds your interest

Relax - if I can do it, anyone can. Fantastic country and I am very glad I went - all in all much easier than I expected and the folk are lovely. Will certainly go back.

 

[biggles12]

Thanks for that. Little tips like that can make all the difference.

The plan so far is to go from Spain into Morroco via Ceuta then ride to Fes on the N13 (unless you know beter)

From Fes to Beni mellal on the N8 and stay on this road to Marrakech (unless you know better).

from Marrakech we will ride up to Cassblanca and then follow the coast back.

If anyone knows any good places to see/stay near this route plaease let us know and if any of this route is bad please also let us know.

Thanks

Pete

 

[oblertone]

Casablanca ...

... is well regarded as a shit'ole and of no interest whatsoever

 

[Fanum]

... is well regarded as a shit'ole and of no interest whatsoever

+1
it's nasty, industrial, dangerous (huge tenemant slums housing the poorest and most dissafected Moroccans there are) and lives on its name from old romantic films.

The mosque is impressive but you can't go in, the hotels are exhorbitantly expensive and the beaches are covered in fat white sex tourists, scammers and touts.

Avoid.

 

[biggles12]

Ok so if we go around Casablanca or not go there at all where should we go?

Ta
Pete

 

[Fanum]

Ok so if we go around Casablanca or not go there at all where should we go?

Ta
Pete

As suggested before, the search button.....

There are many, many threads and ride reports.....pick out what you fancy and sit down with some maps.

 

[Pathologic]

A day at the seaside?

If you want to go down to the coast try Essaoira due West of Marrakesh. Its a small walled fishing town on the coast. Very popular with the Morrocans and not too touristy. Its famous for producing Thuya (sp) wood furniture in lots of small workshops. We had a weeks holiday there and loved it.

Another thought. If you are going as far as Marrakesh do go as far as the Atlas Moountains, even if only for a day trip.

Enjoy your trip, wish I was going with you.

Regards,

Path.

 

[biggles12]

Ceuta Fes - Errachidia - Erfoud - Tinerhir - Gorges - Ouarzazate - Marrakech - Knenifra - Meknes and back to Ceuta

Total about 1500miles in ten days.

Does this look ok?

Pete

 

[Timolgra]

Ceuta Fes - Errachidia - Erfoud - Tinerhir - Gorges - Ouarzazate - Marrakech - Knenifra - Meknes and back to Ceuta

Total about 1500miles in ten days.

Does this look ok?

Pete

Could be so much better.

Ceuta - Azrou - Marrakech via Cascades d'ouzoud - Tizi n Test to Ouazazate -
Dades Gorge to Tinerhir - Todra Gorge then to Merzouga - Midelt - Fes -Ceuta

 

[bladerunner]

That's the reverse of what we did last year.
We took 3 days to Marra
Then 4 days back to Spain via South of the Atlas, so your 10 days is not asking too much.
IMHO worth booking in with Peter at "Bikershome" as:
a, he and his family are lovely
b, he has a good garage which gives you some confidence out there
c, It is a meeting place of adventure bikers and has a good vibe

But as has been said, there is masses of extremely helpful (free) advice just a click away.

You will enjoy

Simon

 

[biggles12]

If that can be done in ten days then thats the route we will take.

I've been sitting here for two days sorting out this trip, while two of the others have gone out a bought F800gs for the trip. Life's just not fair. Hope I get to play on them.

Pete

 

[Tim Cullis]

Ten days within Morocco is doable for that route. When you can, get off the main roads (N13, N8, etc) and explore a bit more, otherwise it's a bit like doing the UK keeping to the A1, A4, A6, etc.

There's no point staying in the bigger cities unless you set aside time to properly see them. If you're not going to do that you should plan overnight stops in smaller towns where it's easier to find hotels.

Tim

 

[biggles12]

Thanks Tim
It's alway good to have a route but it will change, I bet. I would rather do the whole thing off road but I have to go with the wishes of the others and we only have 10 days in Morroco. To make sure it doesn't end up like doing a big lap of the M25, I've come on here to find the bits that are worth seeing and doing. Tizi n Test and the gorges look to be my faviriots so far.

Can't wait untill we go on this trip and I have already started making plans to ride to Saudi at the end of 2009 on my own.

Lifes just one big trip at the mo

Pete

 

[Paul Rochdale]

This is interesting as I'm off to Morocco in five weeks. My wife and a friend fly to Mara and I'll ride down there to meet them. I also thought it was time to get the maps out and plan some sort of route. Mine will be solely on tarmac as I'm riding the big Pan so don't do 'dirt'.