Atlas Descent

The tour starts at our hotel in Agadir. Depending on arrival time we can go for a wander around the town, spend some time relaxing by the hotel pool or take a walk down to the beach which is just 5 minutes from the hotel.  The trip briefing will either take place this evening or on the morning of Day 2.

Setting off from Agadir in our four wheel drive vehicles, we drive across the plains of the Souss Valley. We climb into the heart of the Anti Atlas range, reaching the high mountain Pass of Tizi Mlil, above the old garrison town of Tafraoute (3 hour transfer). From here we get on our bikes and descend on a rocky, vehicle width track down to Aguerd Oudad where we meet the vehicles before heading on to the gritty pistes through the extraordinary boulder strewn moonscape to the famous painted blue rocks. Following non technical gravel tracks across the high altitude plains we return to Tafraoute on a mix of good tarmac and sections of sweeping singletrack through the beautiful palmeries. Today's ride is a relatively easy introduction to prepare us for the days to come. * *

Today's ride follows a spectacular route through impressive gorges and lush palmeries around Ait Mansour. After a short transfer high into the mountains behind Tafraoute to Tizi Tasrite, we begin our 75km ride descending through the landscape that contrasts so dramatically with what we saw yesterday. The scenery is breathtaking as the ride descends through impressive gorges, following dry river beds in places and passing through small berber villages. 25km is off road and 50km is on tarmac, including some massive downhill sections (and one long optional climb on tarmac) we return to the hotel on bikes. Back in Tafraoute we can relax by the hotel bar and pool or go for a walk into town where we can visit a local carpet shop before dinner at the hotel. * *

A short transfer takes us back to the high pass of Tizi Mlil (start of day 2 ride). From here we take a 20km high mountain trail above Tafraoute leading to Tizi Tasrite. Stunning views of our previous ride are clearly visible far below. Before the village of Tasrite there is a short optional single track section which leads onto the start of a superb 10km switchback off road descent. The first 4km of the trail are rough and rocky (and ridden without a support vehicle), then the trail gets smoother and the flowing gritty pistes return. After lunch we take a short section of tarmac to the village of Fisli and then ride on an old piste over the plains back to Tafraoute where we re join our single track through palmeries back to the hotel. Once back in Tafraoute there will be time to visit the town or relax by the hotel pool. * *

We drive for about an hour southwest from Tafraoute to the start of today’s ride. After a short off road climb to a high col, there is a choice of a steep technical singletrack descent (followed by a short climb), or a more leisurely piste trail with stunning views. We then take a superb switchback piste trail, nearly 20km down off the mountain and pass a number of traditional villages en route to Anezi. A short tarmac stretch offers a break from the stony terrain, but the piste soon returns winding its way through a scenic valley and crossing riverbeds. At the end of the ride, we transfer approx 30 minutes to Tiznit, an old walled medina town famous for its silver markets. There is a traditional hammam (steam bath) here that we can visit in the late afternoon, explore the town or you can relax by the hotel pool. * *

After an early breakfast and morning transfer (approx. 3.5 hours) we arrive at the small village of Tiqqi in the foothills of the High Atlas. The landscape here is very different, with pine and cedar forests and remote mountainside villages dominating the area. Initially, our track leads past several untouched Berber villages. Mud houses are perched precariously under cliff edges, with locals looking on as we cycle through. After lunch the track becomes slightly rockier as we come to a spectacular gorge, there is time to admire the views and contemplate the two afternoon climbs, before our final fast flowing cross-country ride down to tarmac. Rejoining the tarmac we cycle downhill for the last few kilometres to our hotel in Immouzer. * *

The ultimate off road trail and a fitting finale to this biking adventure! Riding directly from the hotel, we take the short scenic tarmac road through the village of Immouzer, before ascending a rough track which gradually climbs for 6km onto a high mountain pass. From here the blast down to the coast begins with a spectacular 40km mountain descent. The trail is rough and rocky in places as it contours and gradually descends, offering amazing views over the mountains and to the coastline. Poor weather may make this particular route impassable, in which case we will make our way out of the mountains through the Paradise Valley. This route follows a spectacular winding tarmac road, dropping from the ridges around Immouzer, deep into a narrow gorge, abundant with palm trees and small oases. After a swim or stroll on the beach, we load the bikes onto the support vehicles for the last drive into Agadir (approx. 30 minutes), arriving in time for an optional, relaxing berber massage and a farewell dinner. * *

After breakfast the trip ends in Agadir. **