FROM TANGER TO MERZOUGA AND WAY BACK

This tour goes trough beautiful countryside of Morocco by National and secondary roads as well as off roading parts.

I started the trip in Algeciras (E) where I got a go and return  ferry ticket, for both passenger and bike. All for 100 €.

The ferry trip is about one hour and half but you are only loosing about 30 minutes because of Morocco’s time zone. 

Once I arrived in Tanger Med port I had to deal with all the customs papers and stamps, but took me less than an hour to get through all. After that, I was ready to explore.

Don’t forget to get the passport stamp done on the ferry by the Moroccan authorities that are present on the boat. Otherwise, you will have troubles before leave the port.

Once free, I headed south direction to Casablanca but I drove mostly in the countryside instead of taking the more common coast road.

I start the trip on the begining of spring and landscapes just leaves me speechless, everything was green, smelled fresh and colors just got me emotional.

The first night I arrived in a quite big city called Mhoammedia, around 7pm. Traffic was crazy but soon I managed to find a nice camping by the sea where to spend my first night in Morocco.

Second day I kept going down, this time direction to Marrakech.

The distance between Mhoammedia and Marrakech is around 250km, so I followed the famous N9 street, a really enjoyable road.  Still took me around 5 hours riding to get to Marrakech  which I visited in kind of a hurry because I wanted to get to the Atlas.

From Marrakech I just kept following the N9 road direction to Ouarzazate, also known as the Door Of The Desert. It’s a really beautiful city where you can already breathe the majesty of the desert.

Between Marrakech and Ouarzazate, there is the Atlas mountains to cross, in particular the Tizi N’Tichka pass, which is a gorgeous pass where you can feel the force that nature has.

There are a few typical villages along the way where to you can stop for a tea and see how people live in such a difficult environment, but always with a smile on their faces.

Once arrived in Ouarzazate I knew my next stop would be the desert, the village of Merzouga in particular but I didn’t want to miss the Gorges du Dades neither the Gorges of Tundra.
I followed the N10 until Boumalne Dades and then I took the R704. When I arrived at the Gorges du Dades I had to stop for like 2 hours, just to admire that beautiful place. There is a little coffee bar so if you want to, you can sit and enjoy what belongs to everyone.

Once I decided  I had enough of that view, I had two choices to get to Gorges of Tundra: the first one, by asphalt, you go back to the N10 direction Thingir and follow the direction for the Gorges. The other option is follow the R704 until Msemrir and take the road on your right that will lead you to the other side of the mountain. I decided to do this one in particular and was just awesome. It is around 80 km long and well it’s not particularly difficult I recommend not drive there on your own, especially if you are not into the off road. In my opinion, it was one of the best 80km off road I’ve done so far.

Gorges of Tundra are fantastic too, but I think I arrived there in a kind of a busy moment and I didn’t enjoy as much as I would like, the beauty of the place.
Next step was finally the desert.
From the Gorges of Tundra I took the N10 and then the R113 direction to Alnif and after that, the N12 direction Riisani.

Once in Rissani if you take the N13 will brings you in Merzouga which is a beautiful kind of a oasis village. Just next to it starts the famous Erg Chebbi, a large seas of dunes formed by the wind.
It’s a magical feeling staring in front of such a majesty of the earth.
Impressive was the sunset as much as the sunrise. I had to escape from Merzouga before the sun rise because otherwise it was going to be difficult to leave such a great place. I will definitely come back. 

After the desert and all the dusty riding I headed north following the N13, direction to Al Rashidia at first and then Midelt, which is a quiet big City 1000 mt above the sea and with amazing views over the Atlas. I stopped there and slept in the tent but I had a tough night because of the strong wind.
After Midelt I visited Meknes that is one of the 4 imperial cities of Morocco. I decided to visit it because it was the smallest one and I had a great time in a not too busy place once.
From Meknes I started taking roads with no traffic (P) signed that goes through all the littles villages and fields. It was just amazing.  As a final destination I had Chefchaouen, a really beautiful city with the particularity of being all painted in a blue color that makes it look stunning.

It is around 200km from Meknes to Chefchaouen, but it took me more than one day riding to get to the blue pearl, many river crossings and beautiful memories I will bring with me from that ride.
My trip is almost over in Chefchaouen. Tanger is only 100km away but still if you don’t mind to get dirty you can enjoy a good half day riding before going back to the port.

It was my first time in Morocco and Africa in general. Before starting this trip I was kind of scary about the things could happen but as always, life gives you lessons. I felt completely safe, even more than in Europe I’d say. I’ve met only kind people always willing to help you and for sure I will come back to this magic place again and again for discover more about it.

All the week with food, night in camping/hotel and petrol costed me around 350€. If you don’t want to spend thousand and thousand of euro for a Moto trip just go there and enjoy life, as simple as it is.

Please respect the traffic laws and road signs, we are not responsable for your violations.