The ultimate guide to planning your cycling adventure in Morocco.

The ultimate guide to planning your cycling adventure in Morocco.

Author: AdminDate: 2025-02-21 00:00:47City: Illunois

 The ultimate guide to planning your cycling adventure in Morocco.

Morocco is a cyclist’s heaven with much diversity in its terrain and climate including the huge Atlas Mountains, the vast Sahara Desert, valleys and coastal routes. This article provides essential information that will enable you to plan for a safe, enjoyable and wonderful cycling experience in Morocco as a beginner or a professional cyclist.

1. Select Your Itinerary

 There are many ways to cycle in Morocco and each one of them is different in terms of difficulty and positive outcomes.

a. The Atlas Mountains

• Difficulty: Hard
• Highlights: Beautiful mountains,  Berber houses, and difficult rides.
• Recommended Route: Marrakech – Ouarzazate by  Tizi n’ Tichka Pass (2,260m).

b. The Sahara Desert

•  Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging
• Highlights: Desert scenery, camel transportation, and night in desert camps.
• Recommended Route: Ouarzazate to Zagora or Merzouga.

 c. Coastal Roads

• Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
• Highlights: The ride along the Atlantic Ocean, fishing villages and slow pace.
• Recommended Route: Cycling from Essaouira to Agadir.

d.  The Imperial Cities

• Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
• Highlights: Historic sites, cultural experiences and relatively flat terrain.
• Recommended Route: Fez to Meknes to Rabat.

2. The Perfect  Time To Cycle in Morocco

• The best time to cycle in Morocco is spring from March to May and autumn from September to November when the climate is quite moderate. It is very hot in the summer especially in the desert areas while in the mountains it is cold and rainy.

3. Gear and Equipment

 a. Bicycle

• Type: For Morocco’s complicated terrain, it is recommended to use a sturdy touring bike or mountain bike.
• Tyres: Bigger tyres provide better grip on dirty roads and are recommended for use.
• Maintenance: Bring a basic repair kit, which should include spare tubes, a pump,  and a multi-tool.

b. Clothing

• Layers: Pack light, breathable clothing for the day,  and warm layers for cool nights.
• Helmet: Cycling helmets are a must to wear to avoid any danger.
•  Gloves and Sunglasses: Protect your hands and eyes from the sun and wind.

 c. Navigation

• Maps and GPS: Bring along proper maps and a GPS device or a smartphone with downloaded maps.
• Compass: A traditional compass can be useful as a backup.

d. Camping Gear  (if needed)

• Tent: Small and easy to set up.
• Sleeping Bag: For the season and area.
• Cooking Equipment: Portable stove and utensils if you plan to cook your own food.

 4. Accommodation

a. Hotels and Guesthouses

• Availability: Common in cities and towns.
•  Booking: It is better to make the bookings in advance, especially during peak seasons.

b. Camping

•  Wild Camping: Permitted in most areas it is advisable to ask for permission when camping close to private land.
• Campsites: You can find them in the popular tourist areas which include the Sahara Desert and the Atlas Mountains.

c. Riads

• Experience: For a completely new experience, try staying in a traditional Moroccan riad.
• Comfort: Many of them are quite comfortable and offer traditional food.

 5. Food and Water

a. Food

• Local Cuisine: Bland food to try out are tagines, couscous and fresh bread. Vegetarian food is easily available.
•  Snacks: Bring along energy bars, nuts and dried fruits to help when on the ride.

b. Water

• Hydration: Always make sure you have enough water especially when in remote areas. Either a hydration bladder or several water bottles are also good.
• Purification: Use water purification tablets or a filter when you have to get water from natural sources.

6. Safety and Health

a. Safety

• Traffic: It is advisable to be cautious while cycling on busy roads and to always look out for other traffic.
• Navigation: It is better to stick to the marked ways and not cycle at night.
•  Local Advice: Ask people or tour operators about safe ways and places to avoid when travelling.

 b. Health

• Vaccinations: Make sure you are fully vaccinated for usual diseases and may need to be vaccinated against diseases such as Hepatitis A and Typhoid.
• First Aid Kit: A basic first aid kit should include bandages, antiseptic, and any other personal drugs.
• Insurance:  Make sure you have travel insurance that covers cycling and medical issues.

7. Cultural Considerations

 a. Dress Code

• Modesty: It is better to respect the culture and cover up when visiting rural areas and other religious installations.
• Helmet: While cycling, a helmet is okay to wear, but not in towns or villages.

b. Language

• Basic Phrases: Learn a few basic phrases in Arabic or  French to make conversation with the locals.
• Greetings: A simple ”Salam Alaikum” will do the trick.

c. Respect

• Local Customs: It is advisable to find out about the culture and traditions of the area, especially during Ramadan.
• Photography: It is wise to ask people if it is OK to take their photographs.

8. Budgeting

a. Daily Costs

•  Accommodation: You can expect to pay between 
• 10−50 per night for your accommodation.
• Food: You can expect to spend 
• 5−15 on meals per day.
• Transport: Using local buses and trains is fairly cheap.

b. Miscellaneous

 Souvenirs: It is also good to have some money for souvenirs and buying local artefacts.

Emergency  Fund: It is always important to have a small amount of cash for any unforeseen expense.

9.  Guided Tours vs. Self-Guided

a. Guided Tours

• Pros: Local guides, support vehicles and pre-defined itineraries.
• Cons: More expensive and less flexibility in the itinerary.

 b. Self-guided

• Pros: More freedom and cheaper than a guided tour, but It's more advisable to travel with at least one other person during your tour.
•  Cons: It needs more preparation and reliance on the self.

10. Final Tips

• Training: Make sure that you are fit enough to cycle for the distances and on the kinds of terrains that you will be cycling on.
• Flexibility: It is wise to be prepared to change your itinerary due to weather, road conditions or any other factors that may occur.
• Enjoy the Journey: Take time to appreciate the beautiful scenery, meet the local people and enjoy the culture of Morocco.

Conclusion

Cycling in Morocco is an adventure that offers the best of nature, culture and the thrill of the ride. If you have the right planning and preparation, you can go on a cycling trip that will provide you with great memories and appreciation of this country. So, get your equipment, make your itinerary and get ready to explore  Morocco on your bicycle!