Tours 5 days - Riding Time 22h - Distance 268km - Elevation 7.160m
Brief Overview - This tour crosses the easternmost part of the Moroccan Atlas, also called the “Middle Atlas” through the most sensational landscapes. The region is famous for the diversity of its ecosystems, ranging from large cedar and cork oak forests to volcanic plateaus. The highest peaks are the Jbel Bou Naceur (3.356 m) and the Jbel Bouiblane (3.192 m). You’ll cross both of their massifs on the tour. Another feature are the generous water ways including subterranean rivers running through the canyons and caves of the limestone in the Tazekka park. In contrast to the High Atlas, hilly and mellow green landscapes are frequent. The tour starts just above the town of Taza, crosses the Tazekka Park, then the Bouiblane and Bou Neceur massifs and ends in the breathtaking terraced valley of Oulad Youssef Ali.
Endurance and Technicality - all together the tour is a little less demanding compared to those of the High Atlas. The road infrastructure is much more developed and there are plenty of kilometers of dirt or even paved roads. This being said, be prepared for long and steep ascents especially on day three and some hiking and technical descents on the last day.
Endurance and Technicality - all together the tour is a little less demanding compared to those of the High Atlas. The road infrastructure is much more developed and there are plenty of kilometers of dirt or even paved roads. This being said, be prepared for long and steep ascents especially on day three and some hiking and technical descents on the last day.
Mellow ride with Bouilbane in the distance
Views in the Canyon of Igli Berkine
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Downhill from the rim of Mt Bou Naceur
Volcanic plateaus with poor pastures
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Forest Trails in Tazzeka National Park
Crossing the Ouad Melloul
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Access and Logistics
Point of Departure: Taza; Point of Arrival: Oulad Ali Youssef
Starting point in Taza is well connected from the highway Rabat - Fez the return from Oulad Ali requires the organisation of local taxis or a private transport.
Phone and 4G connection is getting gradually less with extended offline sections on day 3 and day 4.
Do not expect any services to fix your bike or shops to buy more than the most basic food and provisions on the way. Ask for lunch bags wherever you spend the night and take enough water.
If you need help and updated information for planning your trip in this region we suggest getting in touch with our members of the Atlas Trail Community: Youness El Kasmi and Ahmed Ashou.
Starting point in Taza is well connected from the highway Rabat - Fez the return from Oulad Ali requires the organisation of local taxis or a private transport.
Phone and 4G connection is getting gradually less with extended offline sections on day 3 and day 4.
Do not expect any services to fix your bike or shops to buy more than the most basic food and provisions on the way. Ask for lunch bags wherever you spend the night and take enough water.
If you need help and updated information for planning your trip in this region we suggest getting in touch with our members of the Atlas Trail Community: Youness El Kasmi and Ahmed Ashou.
Accomodation
Very good touristic infrastructure in the beginning of the tour (day 1 and 2) in and around the Tazekka national park and north of the Bouiblane Mountain chain. As soon as you leave the national park and cross Bouiblane to the south the tour leads through some of the least known and forgotten areas of the Middle Atlas and you have to depend on being hosted by the locals, see accommodation. This is a very rewarding experience but needs a willingness to cope with uncertainty. People are extremely welcoming and friendly, local food is simple but clean and very tasty and you are offered a canapé or mattress on the floor in the “Salon Marocain”.
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Barraga Bab Louta (Day 1)
Relais de Tahla (Day 1): several rooms and cabins with shared or private bathrooms with access to the lake. Basic rooms, with hunting style saloon and good service Tel+212644021395 |
Al Ansar (Day 2)
Chez Abdelkader : very cosy family run gîte with three generations under the same roof. Located straight on the road coming from Taza, outside the village of Al Ansar. Very clean and nicely decorated rooms with an inviting terrace covered with wine plants to enjoy the Berber tea in the shade Tel +212 618727838 Ait Bou Hassan (Day 3)
No official accommodations in Ait Bou Hassan, a very welcoming small village. At the time of writing, the dam was about to be finished which will flood the village in the next few years. Check along the route with the local population. |
Beni Boujloul (Day 4)
Sleeping “chez l'habitant” at the two brothers Mohammed and Ali. You will get a truly authentic experience in this very basic accommodation, just on top of the goats staples (keeping the main house warm) and rudimentary toilet and washing opportunity. Very friendly and welcoming, delicious local produce and Mohamed is a very knowledgeable host that speaks fluent french. Tel: +212 603345868 Ouled Ali Youssef (Destination)
Gite Bou Naceur (Destination): this very well run mountain hostel is a true oasis, situated in the olive tree forest and overlooking the Terraces and valley of Ouled Ali Youssef. Tel: +212 639501678 |
Local Tourism Network
For additional information you can reach out to the members of the Atlas Mountain Trail Network
For additional information you can reach out to the members of the Atlas Mountain Trail Network
- Younes El Kassimi (Ait Tamlil) +xxx,
- Ahmed Asho (Destination/Oualed Ali Youssef) +212 63950167
