What advice would you give to a pair of Morocco first-timers riding through the Rif mountains?
Greg
Greg
The Rif - advice needed for a pair of Morocco virgins
- Thread starter Greg Masters
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somclan
Registered user
Why not
Hi...
I did my first little look see at Morocco this Jan...I flew to Malaga and rent from gs heaven and went over for a week...I stayed in a Town called Chefchaoen in a b plus b run by a Scots couple call Rif for all ...I was on my own on a GSA so I did day trips around the area and had a little look ...Every thing I read about the Rif mountains and in particular a town called ketama said stay away because of the law less ness of the area..My host said go for it ...In the end did not have the balls to go for it on my own ...If i was with some one else I think I would have gone for it... When ae you planning to go
Hi...
I did my first little look see at Morocco this Jan...I flew to Malaga and rent from gs heaven and went over for a week...I stayed in a Town called Chefchaoen in a b plus b run by a Scots couple call Rif for all ...I was on my own on a GSA so I did day trips around the area and had a little look ...Every thing I read about the Rif mountains and in particular a town called ketama said stay away because of the law less ness of the area..My host said go for it ...In the end did not have the balls to go for it on my own ...If i was with some one else I think I would have gone for it... When ae you planning to go
It's not for me (I've ridden through the Rif) but for a couple of mates who are going next week.
I have my own views and experiences of the Rif - but I was interested to learn what others would advise.
Greg
I've been through Ketama on to occasions.
Yes there's a lawless feel to the place, just don't stop there.
When they stop by the side of the road in the region always be prepared to make a quick and polite exit when the inevitable drug sellers come by.
Yes there's a lawless feel to the place, just don't stop there.
When they stop by the side of the road in the region always be prepared to make a quick and polite exit when the inevitable drug sellers come by.
Fanum
Toubab
It's just very unpleasant, and not representative of the majority of Morocco.
Having Merc 240d's driving alongside and swerving towards you to make you pull over, people stepping out into the road and trying to make you stop and the constant hassle is just not worth it IMO....especially as you can just head south and out of it very quickly.
From Chechchaouen, I'd go down the loop back to the N2 then take the N13 towards Ouezzane.....then we take the small road at El-Had to Mokrisset and Zoumi and down around Oued Ouerrha .....it's still proper Rif mountains with the views and culture, but it's far more pleasant than the N2 to Ketama.
I've spoken to someone on the ferry on the way back from Morocco who had only stayed three days out of their planed 2 week trip, because they had been so put off by going through Ketama and the surrounding area.
A real shame, 'cos that's not what the vast majority of Morocco is like
Having Merc 240d's driving alongside and swerving towards you to make you pull over, people stepping out into the road and trying to make you stop and the constant hassle is just not worth it IMO....especially as you can just head south and out of it very quickly.
From Chechchaouen, I'd go down the loop back to the N2 then take the N13 towards Ouezzane.....then we take the small road at El-Had to Mokrisset and Zoumi and down around Oued Ouerrha .....it's still proper Rif mountains with the views and culture, but it's far more pleasant than the N2 to Ketama.
I've spoken to someone on the ferry on the way back from Morocco who had only stayed three days out of their planed 2 week trip, because they had been so put off by going through Ketama and the surrounding area.
A real shame, 'cos that's not what the vast majority of Morocco is like
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Can't help feeling there should be a connection between the words 'Rif' and 'Riff Raff'.
Ketama and the immediate roads running in and out are the only problems in the Rif. The evil atmosphere and the absence of women is at odds with the rest of Morocco. Mind you, I met up with a guy called Noel off HUBB and was gobsmackedwhen he said he'd spent the previous night in a hotel in Ketama. Brave guy!
With Fanum's route above you could continue riding south through Teroual then R408/R501 south.
For another equally spectacular ride through the area take the R410 from Bab Taza south through to the reservoir at Ourtzarh. Beni Ahmed is particularly friendly and there's a couple of fuel stations en route. As above, finish off coming into Fes on the R501.
Ketama and the immediate roads running in and out are the only problems in the Rif. The evil atmosphere and the absence of women is at odds with the rest of Morocco. Mind you, I met up with a guy called Noel off HUBB and was gobsmackedwhen he said he'd spent the previous night in a hotel in Ketama. Brave guy!
With Fanum's route above you could continue riding south through Teroual then R408/R501 south.
For another equally spectacular ride through the area take the R410 from Bab Taza south through to the reservoir at Ourtzarh. Beni Ahmed is particularly friendly and there's a couple of fuel stations en route. As above, finish off coming into Fes on the R501.
I agree with Tim about going to Bab Taza and heading south from there past the lakes - a great route and it's pretty quiet and non-threatening. We have always taken this route to Fez.
punisher_uk
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my self and two friends will land in CEUTA mid morning and would like to get to NADOR
whats the best way to go (our leader as it were) planed the route down the N2 strait thou KETAMA i must say im not best pleazed about the chosen route
whats the best way to go (our leader as it were) planed the route down the N2 strait thou KETAMA i must say im not best pleazed about the chosen route
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Why would you want to go to Nador? There's not a lot of interest in the area.
If you really want to get to Melilla or Nador take the boat from Malaga or Almeria.
If you really want to get to Melilla or Nador take the boat from Malaga or Almeria.
punisher_uk
Guest
geting to NADOR to watch the start of the AFRICA RACE rally raid
http://www.africarace.com/index.php?lang=en
and then chase it or try and watch the first couple of days on the way down the N19 or N17 heading down to BOUARFA then west for fun in the desert
ferry wise can only find ALGECIRAS -CEUT OR TANGIER on the 28th of december
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Check out aferry.to. Choose Malaga to Melilla. On the 28 December the boat is overnight leaving at 2300 and arriving at 0800 on the 29th. The boat from Malaga on the 29th December leaves at 1400 and arrives 2130 the same day.
You'll need to be pretty focused to keep up with the rally, even though you're on tarmac. But you won't be alone in following: http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/sahara-travel-forum/can-you-find-place-morocco-46476
Tim
You'll need to be pretty focused to keep up with the rally, even though you're on tarmac. But you won't be alone in following: http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/sahara-travel-forum/can-you-find-place-morocco-46476
Tim
pinkytiff
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Hi Tim - would that have been a South African chappie on his way back south? If so, dare I say it wasn't bravery
