The Best Places for Gravel Cycling in Morocco
Morocco’s gravel is not one place but several — each region with its own terrain, season and character. This is our region-by-region guide to where to ride, what makes each place distinct, and which tours and routes actually go there.
Geographic overview
Morocco’s rideable gravel sorts into a clear geography: the High Atlas running diagonally across the centre, the Anti-Atlas and pre-Sahara to its south, the Atlantic coast to the west, and the great oasis valleys — Ounila, Draa, Dades, Todra — stitching the mountain and desert together. Marrakech sits at the foot of the Atlas as the natural hub.
High Atlas
The country’s alpine gravel heart — big climbs, high passes and dramatic valley descents. Home to the Tizi n’Tichka and Tizi n’Test routes, and to our 5-Day Atlas Gravel Tour. Best in spring and autumn; snow closes the high passes in winter, and only the highest ground is rideable in summer. Explore the High Atlas.
Anti-Atlas
South of the High Atlas — jagged ridges, almond terraces and a warmer, lower riding season. The Anti-Atlas is at its best in winter when the high country is snowed in. The Draa Valley Loop starts here. Explore the Anti-Atlas.
Sahara & desert fringe
The desert edge — compacted pistes through stone desert, palm oases and, further south, the dunes near Merzouga (Erg Chebbi) and M’Hamid. Riding here is about water planning, navigation and heat management. Best October to March. Explore the Sahara.
Ounila Valley
The old caravan corridor between the Glaoui kasbah at Telouet and the UNESCO ksar of Ait Benhaddou — 54 km of ochre gravel through living Berber villages. One of the finest gravel days in the country, rideable year-round. Explore the Ounila Valley.
Draa Valley
Morocco’s longest river, running south from Ouarzazate through Agdz and Zagora to the desert. A palm-oasis corridor of flat-to-rolling pistes, old ksour and warm-season riding. The Draa Valley Loop is the classic.
Dades Valley
Canyon country south of the Atlas — the Dades Gorge and its fingers of red rock, with gravel pistes threading the valley floor and walls. A striking, photogenic region best ridden in spring and autumn. Featured in our Dades & Todra overnight and Dades–Todra expedition.
Todra Valley
The Todra Gorge near Tinghir — sheer canyon walls rising from the river, with gravel and piste riding in the valley approaches. Paired naturally with the Dades for a canyon-country loop.
Essaouira region
The Atlantic coast — cliff-top pistes, argan forest tracks and fishing villages. Flat to rolling, wind-shaped, and a brilliant way to finish a point-to-point trip at the sea. Explore the Atlantic coast.
Marrakech region
Our base — and the natural start and end for almost every trip. The Marrakech region holds the Atlas foothills, Agafay stone desert, Lalla Takerkoust and the Kik Plateau: brilliant day-ride country right on the city’s doorstep. Explore the Marrakech region.
Putting the regions together
The best trips combine regions. The Atlas to Sahara Grand Tour crosses the High Atlas, the Ounila, the Draa and the Sahara fringe in 12 days. The Atlas to the Sea runs mountains to the Atlantic. Use the National Gravel Map to see how the regions connect.
Frequently asked questions
Where should a first-timer ride?
The Marrakech region for day rides, and the Ounila Valley or Draa for a first multi-day. The 5-Day Atlas Gravel Tour is the best first supported trip.
Which region is best in winter?
The Anti-Atlas, the Draa, the Sahara fringe and the Atlantic coast. The high Atlas passes are snowed in.
Which region is best in summer?
Only the High Atlas above 2,000 m, ridden in the early morning. The desert and low valleys are too hot.
Can I ride the coast and the mountains in one trip?
Yes — the Atlas to the Sea Gravel Adventure does exactly that, finishing at Essaouira.