Two of us, both first timers to Morocco, are hoping to include in our tour a bit of offroading next April. We are looking for any info on the road between Zagora (in Vallee du Draa) to Taouz, to the north east. My mate, the optimist, thinks it will be a doddle, but as I only have limited range of the standard 1200gs I am doubtful. The idea of sleeping under the stars in a desert beside the bike appeals to me, but the potential for disaster does not. Does anyone know this route, the state of the road, and availability of fuel.
Zagora to Taouz
- Thread starter Diamond Blade
- Start date
It's not a road, it's a rocky piste.
You'll find the eastern part of the piste is nigh on impossible with a big GS due to sand.
You can go east from Zagora about half way along the piste turn north to Mecissi on the main road where there is fuel, this avoids the sand which will stop you.
Fuel range on a std 1200 won't be a problem on any of the pistes in Morocco.
The route between Zagora and Taouz is one of the few remaining tracks I really want to do in Morocco but will use a smaller bike for it.
If you want a CD which has all the pistes in Morocco and can be transfered to your GPS read this thread
http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=114158&highlight=pistes+morocco
and PM me your details
You'll find the eastern part of the piste is nigh on impossible with a big GS due to sand.
You can go east from Zagora about half way along the piste turn north to Mecissi on the main road where there is fuel, this avoids the sand which will stop you.
Fuel range on a std 1200 won't be a problem on any of the pistes in Morocco.
The route between Zagora and Taouz is one of the few remaining tracks I really want to do in Morocco but will use a smaller bike for it.
If you want a CD which has all the pistes in Morocco and can be transfered to your GPS read this thread
http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=114158&highlight=pistes+morocco
and PM me your details
Many thanks Timolgra for that info. It has helped to clarify some grey areas.
demito
Registered user
Not sure if we're talking about the same piste:
I have done Merzouga, Taouz, Tagounite, Zagora with an 1150 GSA (The opposite direction). This is the scenic route along the Algerian border. Apart from a couple of stretches of fesfes (mixture of very fine sand and dust, the real soft stuff) which are a bit of a struggle, all is pretty feasible if you're into a bit of sand. I can't but highly recommend this piste even with a big bike.
You don't need more than your standard tank to do this stretch and just in case there is gas just before the second fesfes section (leaded). Don't rely on it though, leave with a full tank!
You can read further details on this stretch on http://users.pandora.be/spog
By pressing the menu button you can read our story or see the track details (about the fesfes) or download the track.
T
I have done Merzouga, Taouz, Tagounite, Zagora with an 1150 GSA (The opposite direction). This is the scenic route along the Algerian border. Apart from a couple of stretches of fesfes (mixture of very fine sand and dust, the real soft stuff) which are a bit of a struggle, all is pretty feasible if you're into a bit of sand. I can't but highly recommend this piste even with a big bike.
You don't need more than your standard tank to do this stretch and just in case there is gas just before the second fesfes section (leaded). Don't rely on it though, leave with a full tank!
You can read further details on this stretch on http://users.pandora.be/spog
By pressing the menu button you can read our story or see the track details (about the fesfes) or download the track.
T
9toes
Guest
Simple
Blade all looks good, that route looks like no trouble, clearly its a risk but hell, it has to be done, hope all goes well. However there is always the option of turning back and admitting defeat.
Looking to do a similar route, all the best(take water it will give you more time to reflect on the error of the route ).
Blade all looks good, that route looks like no trouble, clearly its a risk but hell, it has to be done, hope all goes well. However there is always the option of turning back and admitting defeat.
Looking to do a similar route, all the best(take water it will give you more time to reflect on the error of the route ).
Cheers 9toes for the advice. Hopefully see you there at some point, though as you have a KTM it'll be in my mirrors.
I am writing this from Tafilalt. We (my partner Catherine and I) spent the last 2 days on that Piste between Zagora and Taouz . We finally admitted defeat and headed for Alnif the nearest point on the adjacent tarmac road. The first part from Zagora is a mixture of soft riverbed and rocks, but after passing through the mountains it gets easier. We managed to find fuel at Tissemoumine but the exceptional dry weather meant that the second dried river bed at lake Rherin was just too soft for us to get through. The fesfes was at least 15 inches deep in places with large hidden rocks. We did go off Piste for a several miles to try and find a way around but it was very difficult when we repeatedly met dried up rivers. It’s also very close to the Algerian border at this point so were a little concerned as last week two Germans were arrested for illegal entry.
Having said that we were on loaded bikes (KTM 990 and BMW650) and Catherine is a novice at riding in sand. Without our luggage we may have stood a better chance of getting through. The very large trucks were getting through but no minibuses.
Ironically the thing we were dreading most was rain, which makes this particular section of the river/lake very very muddy and often a couple of hours rain makes it impassable for weeks due to the mud.
I spoke at length with Peter from Bikeshome at Ouarzazate, he regularly takes small groups across this piste on CRX's. He too recommends two days to cover the entire trail.
I would certainly recommend Tim’s CD, Catherine got it just before our departure and although not all this Piste is on the CD 90% of the track is logged. But take the CD with you, in a moment of stupidity I managed to delete the data from the laptop and the CD was in Spain! Doh Not all the tracks will upload on a 2820 without deleting all the music to free up sufficient memory. Morocco Topo does also have some of the route mapped.
The other two great Pistes I would recommend on the way down are :-
1) south of Fez head for Sefrou turn southeast towards Tazcoute then east to Tamjilt finally to Outat-Oulad El Haj where a tarmac raod heads down to Midelt (real wild mountainous areas where only Arabic is spoken – road signs shop names etc are Arabic only)
2) from Midelt. Start on the Cirque de Jaffar , then head for Imilchil town of two lakes where they hold the worlds largest marrage ceremony (fork left and the second split in the track after about 50km) finally descending through the Gourge de dades
Both of these are challenging with loaded bikes but very rewarding both in terms of scenery and some of the lifestyles of the locals.
Having said that we were on loaded bikes (KTM 990 and BMW650) and Catherine is a novice at riding in sand. Without our luggage we may have stood a better chance of getting through. The very large trucks were getting through but no minibuses.
Ironically the thing we were dreading most was rain, which makes this particular section of the river/lake very very muddy and often a couple of hours rain makes it impassable for weeks due to the mud.
I spoke at length with Peter from Bikeshome at Ouarzazate, he regularly takes small groups across this piste on CRX's. He too recommends two days to cover the entire trail.
I would certainly recommend Tim’s CD, Catherine got it just before our departure and although not all this Piste is on the CD 90% of the track is logged. But take the CD with you, in a moment of stupidity I managed to delete the data from the laptop and the CD was in Spain! Doh Not all the tracks will upload on a 2820 without deleting all the music to free up sufficient memory. Morocco Topo does also have some of the route mapped.
The other two great Pistes I would recommend on the way down are :-
1) south of Fez head for Sefrou turn southeast towards Tazcoute then east to Tamjilt finally to Outat-Oulad El Haj where a tarmac raod heads down to Midelt (real wild mountainous areas where only Arabic is spoken – road signs shop names etc are Arabic only)
2) from Midelt. Start on the Cirque de Jaffar , then head for Imilchil town of two lakes where they hold the worlds largest marrage ceremony (fork left and the second split in the track after about 50km) finally descending through the Gourge de dades
Both of these are challenging with loaded bikes but very rewarding both in terms of scenery and some of the lifestyles of the locals.
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I grade pistes for difficulty when I've done them; green is suitable for absolute novices on sports bikes 
, blue is fairly easy, red requires offroad skills, black is not suitable with luggage or alone.
But... my grades are only applicable for the day I rode them. And in the direction I rode them--often pistes are dramatically different in the opposite direction, especially if there are rocky steps. The link piste between the Dades and Todra and the Telouet to Ait Benhaddou pistes are good examples of this.
Also, pistes change according to the weather and seasons and also over time. I rode the Cirque de Jaffar last month with Devon (Andy). I had done it three times before and there used to be a quite difficult corner stream crossing on the east-west descent which I warned Andy about, but when we came to it the piste had changed and it was easy-peasy.
Then there's what you feel like on the day. When I rode the piste from Imilchil to Msemrir I started feeling lightheaded (either diet or the effects of the altitude as it's over 10,000 ft) and consequently was a bag of nerves. Nevertheless we agreed it's a red.
Like Whele I can recommend the eastern part of the Middle Atlas (southeast of Fes). The Middle Atlas south of Azrou has some beautiful pistes as well. It all depends what you want--I'm not into mind-bogglingly head-banging sand traps in boring desert scenary, and prefer dramatic landscapes with not so difficult pistes.
Tim
PS: Whele, if you get a chance to drop your luggage, take a look at the 'Stairway to Heaven': http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=231286
, blue is fairly easy, red requires offroad skills, black is not suitable with luggage or alone.But... my grades are only applicable for the day I rode them. And in the direction I rode them--often pistes are dramatically different in the opposite direction, especially if there are rocky steps. The link piste between the Dades and Todra and the Telouet to Ait Benhaddou pistes are good examples of this.
Also, pistes change according to the weather and seasons and also over time. I rode the Cirque de Jaffar last month with Devon (Andy). I had done it three times before and there used to be a quite difficult corner stream crossing on the east-west descent which I warned Andy about, but when we came to it the piste had changed and it was easy-peasy.
Then there's what you feel like on the day. When I rode the piste from Imilchil to Msemrir I started feeling lightheaded (either diet or the effects of the altitude as it's over 10,000 ft) and consequently was a bag of nerves. Nevertheless we agreed it's a red.
Like Whele I can recommend the eastern part of the Middle Atlas (southeast of Fes). The Middle Atlas south of Azrou has some beautiful pistes as well. It all depends what you want--I'm not into mind-bogglingly head-banging sand traps in boring desert scenary, and prefer dramatic landscapes with not so difficult pistes.
Tim
PS: Whele, if you get a chance to drop your luggage, take a look at the 'Stairway to Heaven': http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=231286
Yes we had some fun there, six fully laden GSs but luckily no 'incidents'
Every piste I've ridden has been different on each occasion.
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9toes
Guest
Whele,
Many thanks, still set on crossing Zagora to Taouz, you mention refuelling in Tissemoumine, I was wondering how much fuel you burn on the trail from Zagora East ?
I have no idea of the true fuel consumption we are going to get off road over that sort of distance ?
Bikes involved will be 640 Adv, 1200GS Adv and if Blade was up for it(sap) then a standard 1200 GS.
Also KTM and 1200 Adv will be on TKC80's the GS may not and be sitting on Tourance tyres any thoughts ?
Many thanks
Many thanks, still set on crossing Zagora to Taouz, you mention refuelling in Tissemoumine, I was wondering how much fuel you burn on the trail from Zagora East ?
I have no idea of the true fuel consumption we are going to get off road over that sort of distance ?
Bikes involved will be 640 Adv, 1200GS Adv and if Blade was up for it(sap) then a standard 1200 GS.
Also KTM and 1200 Adv will be on TKC80's the GS may not and be sitting on Tourance tyres any thoughts ?
Many thanks
Ally
Guest
Ceuta to Marrakech
I am part of the same trip a 9toes. Can someone comment on the trip from the ferry at Ceuta to Marrakech via Casablanca. We are hoping to do this section in one day - my GPS software (MapSource) gives a travel time of 6h 30m.
Is this a fair time for this distance on these roads?
I am part of the same trip a 9toes. Can someone comment on the trip from the ferry at Ceuta to Marrakech via Casablanca. We are hoping to do this section in one day - my GPS software (MapSource) gives a travel time of 6h 30m.
Is this a fair time for this distance on these roads?
Easy, it's mostly motorway. Watch out for speed traps around Rabat in particular, even as you enter the toll area.
MarkLG
Guest
I did the route in reverse with demito (as mentioned above). Coming from Zagora you'll have about 90 miles or so of beautiful, fast, hard tracks with just the occasional sandy stretch. A few miles before you get to the village of Er Ramilia you'll hit the sandy section which Whele describes above. We struggled a bit in a section of sandy river bed, but managed to bump the bikes up onto some firmer ground and found a reasonable route through. You can refuel in Er Ramilia if needed. There's another shorter section of sand to get through towards the end of the route.
You'll definately need full off-road tyres at low pressures to get through the sand, and be careful not to overheat your bikes in the slow stuff.
I was on a KTM 950 and demito was on his 1150GSA, so it's definately possible on a big bike, but the soft stuff is hard work.
The route is well described in Chris Scott's Sahara Overland book (route M6) and on the Voyages 4x4 website (both with GPS data). If you've got a GPS and know how to use it navigation shouldn't be an issue.
9toes
Guest
Mark,
Many thanks for comments on the route, which to my mind is perfect, difficult/challenging but do-able and hopefully enjoyable.
Cheers
PS ALLY/ BLADE ferry tickets in the post. That was one way wasn't it...
Many thanks for comments on the route, which to my mind is perfect, difficult/challenging but do-able and hopefully enjoyable.
Cheers
PS ALLY/ BLADE ferry tickets in the post. That was one way wasn't it...
We refueled at Tissemoumine more for peace of mind than because we were running out. The total distance of the whole Piste is about 220km, so even on my 990 there would have been some fuel to spare, however we also wanted to allow for detours, and the possibility of having to turning back. Its one less thing to be concerned about.
I really think road tyres would struggle, we both had full off-road tyres and could still use extra drive in the fesh-fesh, and if it did rain heavily during this off road excursion, those on road tyres would probably be marooned. Those river beds don’t form on their own you know (said with a parental wagging finger)
Strange – but I find it difficult to understand why anybody would consider Morocco without TKC80’s or off-road tyres, against the overall cost incurred in getting to Morocco, the extra investment is minimal, they wear quickly but at Moroccan speeds which are pretty much limited to 75mph (unless you have a donkey/camel/people catcher on the front of the bike) I achieve 5500miles from a set on my 990. That’s riding from UK and doing 2500 miles in Morocco and riding back to UK. We met a guy on an African twin who was on road tyres, on easy piste he slid off the road and wrecked a pannier, smashed his front light and snapped his gear change. He had spent 2 days of his trip trying to sort out the damage and the cost of the replacement bits would easily have paid for two sets of tyres. I know that any trip into the African continent is a greater risk than Europe and I’m sure that’s what attracts so many people– being on the outer area of their comfort zone, but still within it, but to add unnecessary risks seems to be a poor decision. Going to Morocco without riding piste is like touring the UK without getting off the motorways. Still we are all different, I am practicing my acceptance of that fact.
I really think road tyres would struggle, we both had full off-road tyres and could still use extra drive in the fesh-fesh, and if it did rain heavily during this off road excursion, those on road tyres would probably be marooned. Those river beds don’t form on their own you know (said with a parental wagging finger)
Strange – but I find it difficult to understand why anybody would consider Morocco without TKC80’s or off-road tyres, against the overall cost incurred in getting to Morocco, the extra investment is minimal, they wear quickly but at Moroccan speeds which are pretty much limited to 75mph (unless you have a donkey/camel/people catcher on the front of the bike) I achieve 5500miles from a set on my 990. That’s riding from UK and doing 2500 miles in Morocco and riding back to UK. We met a guy on an African twin who was on road tyres, on easy piste he slid off the road and wrecked a pannier, smashed his front light and snapped his gear change. He had spent 2 days of his trip trying to sort out the damage and the cost of the replacement bits would easily have paid for two sets of tyres. I know that any trip into the African continent is a greater risk than Europe and I’m sure that’s what attracts so many people– being on the outer area of their comfort zone, but still within it, but to add unnecessary risks seems to be a poor decision. Going to Morocco without riding piste is like touring the UK without getting off the motorways. Still we are all different, I am practicing my acceptance of that fact.
9toes
Guest
Whele,
Totally agree re tyre issue, have run Saharas(road/offroad) and MT21(offroad) on 640 but have settled with TKC80 for trip(now fitted) , talking of confort zone glad to hear again about fuel at Tissemoumine, will give more options on route through to Taouz.
Cheers
Totally agree re tyre issue, have run Saharas(road/offroad) and MT21(offroad) on 640 but have settled with TKC80 for trip(now fitted) , talking of confort zone glad to hear again about fuel at Tissemoumine, will give more options on route through to Taouz.
Cheers
Ally
Guest
Santander to Algeciras
For this trip we are travelling down via Santander arriving at 0900.
Does anyone have any comments on the best route down through Spain. Just planning on eating up the miles. Want to be at the Algerciras ferry fairly early the next day.
Autoroute takes you through Madrid E5 - Local.live.com mapping routes down west of Madrid E80/E803.
For this trip we are travelling down via Santander arriving at 0900.
Does anyone have any comments on the best route down through Spain. Just planning on eating up the miles. Want to be at the Algerciras ferry fairly early the next day.
Autoroute takes you through Madrid E5 - Local.live.com mapping routes down west of Madrid E80/E803.
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From Santander head directly south for Burgos on the N623 (rather than the A8 via Bilbao). It's a fine road for bikes. Once you get to Burgos you are on an autovia (free motorway).
You come into Madrid on the A1 (Autovia del Norte) and leave on the A4 (Autovia del Sur). Traverse Madrid using either the M30 or the M40. You will probably find it signposted Bailén.
Bailén is an otherwise insignificant town north of Jaen where the route splits and you can either follow the A4 via Cordoba or the A44 via Granada.
Stop overnight at one of the excellent hostels in the 'via del servicios' (motorway service roads).
Between Málaga and Algeciras you have the choice of the A7 (free autovia) or the AP7 (toll autopiste). The A7 is by far the most dangerous bit of road you will face and is often referred to as the 'Autovia del Muerte' (death road) so I would advise spending some money and taking the AP7.
You come into Madrid on the A1 (Autovia del Norte) and leave on the A4 (Autovia del Sur). Traverse Madrid using either the M30 or the M40. You will probably find it signposted Bailén.
Bailén is an otherwise insignificant town north of Jaen where the route splits and you can either follow the A4 via Cordoba or the A44 via Granada.
Stop overnight at one of the excellent hostels in the 'via del servicios' (motorway service roads).
Between Málaga and Algeciras you have the choice of the A7 (free autovia) or the AP7 (toll autopiste). The A7 is by far the most dangerous bit of road you will face and is often referred to as the 'Autovia del Muerte' (death road) so I would advise spending some money and taking the AP7.
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