Atlas to Sahara motorcycle tour
The great classic of motorcycle raids, between mythical passes and Saharan dunes
The Atlas to Sahara motorcycle tour in Morocco is a must for any biker looking for adventure, a change of scenery and committed riding. It’s the classic motorcycle raid par excellence, featuring everything for which Morocco is famous: dizzying passes, legendary mountain roads, stony tracks, pre-Saharan valleys, ancestral kasbahs and finally the mythical encounter with the Sahara desert.
This tour offers an ideal progression for both rider and machine: you leave the peaks of the Atlas Mountains to descend gradually towards the gates of the desert, fully experiencing the transition of landscapes, climate and terrain.
Motorcycles are rented on site, perfectly prepared for trail and long-distance raids.
Crossing the High Atlas on a motorcycle: a unique experience
The raid begins by crossing the High Atlas range, a veritable natural wall between northern and southern Morocco. Here, the road is a constant invitation to ride: tight bends, long curves, altitude changes and breathtaking views.
The passes offer exhilarating technical riding, with :
- sequences of pins
- adhesion variations
- narrow mountain roads
This part of the tour lays the foundations of the trip: pace, fatigue management, driving pleasure.
The route of a thousand kasbahs: pre-Saharan immersion
After the Atlas Mountains, the scenery changes radically. The circuit joins the famous Route des mille kasbahs, a succession of arid valleys punctuated by fortified adobe villages. The colors become ochre, the light drier, and the motorcycle naturally finds its feet.
This section alternates :
- winding secondary roads
- rolling tracks
- more technical sections depending on the itinerary
Each bend reveals a new kasbah, often clinging to the hillside, a reminder of the strategic importance of these valleys in Morocco’s history.
Ouarzazate, gorges and spectacular landscapes
Ouarzazate, gateway to the desert
Nicknamed “the gateway to the desert”, Ouarzazate is a key stop on the tour. The town is famous for its international film studios, used for many historic productions. It is also a perfect transition point between mountains and desert.
Gorges du Dadès
The Gorges du Dadès offer a spectacular route, with impressive rock formations and a road cut into the cliff. The bends are tight, the eye has to stay far away, and the driving pleasure is total.
Todra Gorge
The Todra Gorge is a mythical passage for motorcyclists. The road winds along the bottom of a canyon with walls up to 300 metres high. The setting is exceptional, but it’s important to choose the right time slots to avoid the crowds and enjoy the ride to the full.
Heading for the Sahara: Merzouga and Erg Chebbi
Gradually, the asphalt gives way to tracks, and the horizon opens up. Head for Merzouga, at the foot of the Erg Chebbi dunes.
The arrival at the dunes is a highlight:
- first tracks in the sand
- couple and balance management
- adapting the steering
A night’s bivouac in the heart of the dunes offers the full Saharan experience: absolute silence, starry skies and sunrise over sandy ridges. A timeless interlude.
Drâa Valley and trails: long-distance riding
The return journey is via the Drâa tracks, which follow the old river bed. These stony tracks demand attention and a good feel for the terrain, but offer a smooth, steady ride.
The Drâa valley, an immense linear palm grove, is dotted with fortified villages and oases. This is a more rural, more discreet Morocco, where the pace naturally slows down.
Secret Anti-Atlas passes and return to Marrakech
The tour then takes in some less-frequented but exceptional roads:
Agdz – Tizi n’Tinfifite pass: a sublime, winding road, much quieter than the Tizi n’Tichka, crossing the Anti-Atlas.
col du Tizi n’Test: more technical and wilder, offering a breathtaking view of the northern slopes and a real sense of isolation.
These last few kilometers are a condensed version of everything Morocco has to offer bikers: relief, technique, raw beauty.
From Atlas peaks to Sahara dunes
The Atlas to Sahara motorcycle tour in Morocco is much more than a trip: it’s a journey, a progression, a complete adventure. A raid where every kilometer tells a story, where the road leads naturally to the desert, and where the biker finds his place fully.
Organization, safety and professional support
With tours organized and supervised by morocco-rides.com, you can drive with complete peace of mind.
Framing
Lodgings
Every morning begins with a safety and route briefing, and every evening a debriefing to adjust pace, analyze difficulties and prepare for the next stage.