Roads in the Atlas Mountains

[Lordr]

Dear All,

Im ridding to Morocco shortly and want to explore the Atlas mountains. Looking at the map there is a road running through the Dades Gorge (R703 & R317) there are then several destinations that look like a fun ride - Midelt, El Ksiba or El Kebab (not a joke).

Have any of you boys ridden these roads and what are they like on a fat old GS1150 with boxes? I will be running on Tourance`s, no TKC80 so there are some limitations, but I used these on the Ruta 40 and Carratera Austral, so should be OK albeit for the worst conditions.

Any insight greatly appreciated.

LordR

 

[MrIFan]

Travelling south to north up the Dades the tarmac stops just before the piste that joins with the Todra. It should still be passable up to Agoudal and onwards but that will depend on the weather. It often gets badly washed out and if it's raining there are some serious river crossings! Ask locally for up to date conditions.
The Todra is "tarmac" all the way, unless it's been washed out or being fixed!! Either way it should be easily passable on Tourances.
Once up to Agoudal there are three tarmacked routes out. West to Rich, great twisty tarmac and very good surface mostly. North West to Midelt, last time I did it it was still all piste but there's a new road now, was part graded part tarmac 18 months ago but should be all tarmac now. Either way it should be fairly easy. Finally North to El-Kisiba or El-Kebab. Very broken tarmac or graded surface but a great ride.

Whilst up there I can highly recomend a night at the little hostel by the lake just North of Imilchil. Very basic but the views and home cooking are excelent

 

[Timolgra]

West to Rich, great twisty tarmac and very good surface mostly.

........

 

[MrIFan]

OOps!! I meant East of course, and North East for Midelt!! Doh

So used to doing both routes in the opposite direction

Anyway, shouldn't you be playing cowboys or something with Gary, out on the prairie

 

[Lordr]

Cheers my friend that is really helpful.

Stu

 

[fritz]

Dear All,

Im ridding to Morocco shortly and want to explore the Atlas mountains. Looking at the map there is a road running through the Dades Gorge (R703 & R317) there are then several destinations that look like a fun ride - Midelt, El Ksiba or El Kebab (not a joke).

Have any of you boys ridden these roads and what are they like on a fat old GS1150 with boxes? I will be running on Tourance`s, no TKC80 so there are some limitations, but I used these on the Ruta 40 and Carratera Austral, so should be OK albeit for the worst conditions.

Any insight greatly appreciated.

LordR

After end of the Dades asphalt there are some tricky bits of oued and looose gravel etc, but we rode it two up a couple of weeks back. Not too difficult to find route, we had Chris Scotts book (and a dead GPS). from Agoudal now asphalt (gorge link isn't )

Alternative Tinehir-Todra-Agoudal-Imilchil-El Ksiba(and I believe El Kebab) is all asphalt, bit damaged in north, but not piste.

The loop Dades- Abougal-Todra-Dades is a great ride out, but a full day at 285kms.

Nekob-Dades was more challenging two-up and loaded, but great fun

You'll love it