Start your adventure with MTB Morocco - the home of Morocco cycling tours, MTB tours, gravel tours, and unforgettable bike trips! Are you a passionate traveler seeking new experiences? Morocco offers diverse landscapes ranging from vast Sahara dunes to lush valleys and rugged peaks, offering a unique perspective of this country.
Whether you’re looking for challenging MTB Morocco expeditions or guided Morocco cycling holidays, you’ll find routes and treks that reveal this country from a whole new perspective. We fell in love with Morocco on our first trip 20 years ago, and it remains one of the top destinations in the world for an adventure mountain biking holiday.
This trip to Morocco is perfect for adventurous mountain bikers who crave unique trails, cultural immersion, and unforgettable landscapes. Are you looking for a trip where you can ride ridgelines high in the mountains, and traverse across vast desert plains? Do you seek a one-of-a-kind experience involving challenging climbing and exhilarating descents?
MTB Academy / Morocco - explore Atlas Mountains and Sahara
Big Mountain Bike Adventures' Morocco trip combines incredible desert riding in the breathtaking High Atlas mountains with the opportunity to immerse yourself in Morocco's unique culture. Just wanted to say thanks for a marvelous trip. Pierre-Alain was a fabulous guide and host for the week.
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He’s such a gentleman and his many years of guiding are so obvious in his attention to details, sense of the group and trail knowledge. Exodus was able to select the best locations of Morocco to provide an experience not to be forgotten for a long time.
What to Expect on a Mountain Biking Tour in Morocco
On an Exodus cycling tour in Morocco, you can expect a well-organized and immersive experience guided by experienced local leaders. You’ll cycle through diverse landscapes, from the rugged Atlas Mountains to charming coastal towns like Essaouira. Our tours include carefully planned routes, comfortable accommodations, and support vehicles for added safety and convenience.
Our guide team was experienced and so well organized! I'm still dreaming of the endless trails, the delicious flavours, and the welcoming people we met along the way. My husband and I just returned from Morocco and we can't say enough positive words about working with Chris and Crystal over at Big Mountain! They were outstanding!
They covered every detail and kept in touch from the moment we booked through when we touched down back into the states. Their level of professionalism was much appreciated! Mountain biking in Morocco was truly an adventure of a lifetime. Pierre-Alain, our guide was outstanding!
Destinations
- Marrakech: Often referred to as the “Red City,” Marrakech is a captivating blend of ancient history and vibrant culture in the foothills of the Atlas Mountains.
- Atlas Mountains: Ride some of the world’s most remote and rugged mountain biking trails in the Atlas Mountains, which stretch across North Africa, forming a dramatic backbone through Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia. With rugged peaks, deep valleys, and diverse ecosystems, the Atlas Mountains offer breathtaking vistas and opportunities for adventure amidst their timeless beauty.
- Mount Toubkal: Mount Toubkal, the highest peak in the Atlas Mountains and North Africa, features foothills that are perfect for cycling. As you ascend on an undulating road, the majestic presence of Toubkal looms ever closer, inspiring awe and anticipation.
- Essaouira: Nestled along Morocco’s Atlantic coast, Essaouira’s rich history as a Portuguese fishing port dates back to the 15th century, with its present layout established by Sidi Mohammed ben Abdullah in the 18th century. Today, Essaouira exudes a laid-back charm, characterized by its whitewashed houses adorned with painted shutters, artisan workshops, and active boatyards, offering a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of Marrakech.
- Paradise Valley: Take a breathtaking adventure through Paradise Valley, an oasis of natural beauty tucked within Morocco’s rugged landscapes. As you pedal through the narrow gorge, towering palm trees provide shade and serenity, while the sounds of flowing water add to the tranquil atmosphere.
A Typical Itinerary
Day 1: Marrakech to the High Atlas
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This journey begins in Marrakech, a stunning 1,000-year-old ochre city with vibrant street life and a unique blend of cultures. Welcome to the Kingdom of Morocco, a country rich in history, culture, and beauty. Meet your guides at your pre-night hotel in Marrakech or at the airport, then take an hour and a half transfer into the foothills of Mount Toubkal.
There, we’ll be welcomed with traditional mint tea followed by lunch in a garden amidst the Atlas Mountains. After a bike fitting and safety briefing, head out on our first ride in the High Atlas, sharing the road with donkeys as we climb from one valley to another. Pause to admire the panoramic scenery, then relish the exhilarating, seven-mile descent to our home for the next three nights: a luxurious kasbah with breathtaking accommodations and sweeping mountain views.
This evening, toast to a fantastic week ahead over dinner prepared with ingredients from the hotel’s organic garden.
- Meals: Lunch / Dinner
- Destinations: Oukaimeden, Asni
- Accomplished: 20 miles / 33 km, elevation gain: 2,417 feet / 737 meters
- Accommodations: Kasbah Tamadot
Day 2: Exploring Berber Villages
Wake to sunrise bathing the Atlas Mountains in morning light and enjoy the warm glow during breakfast on the hotel’s terrace. Today’s ride takes us towards the foothills for a gradual climb with progressively more awe-inspiring views of the valley. This fertile region is crisscrossed by trails connecting Berber villages where we’re sure to encounter shepherds, villagers, and school children in our travels.
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A well-deserved lunch awaits at a table beneath a tent surrounded by glorious, fragrant gardens. Afterwards, we’ll pedal to a local co-op farm for a closer look at Moroccan argan oil, a plant-based beauty elixir as golden as this morning’s light. From here, finish riding back to the hotel for some pampering at the spa, a game of tennis, or a little extra time to relax before we regroup for dinner-a bountiful repast of delicious Moroccan salads.
- Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
- Destinations: Sidi Fares, Tahanout, Asni
- Accomplished: 29 miles / 46 km, elevation gain: 3,143 feet / 958 meters
- Accommodations: Kasbah Tamadot
Day 3: Hiking Near Mount Toubkal
Leave the bikes behind and take a short transfer into the foothills of Morocco’s famous Toubkal Mountain. At 4,167 meters, majestic Toubkal is the highest peak in North Africa and a popular destination for mountain climbers. We won’t be trying to summit, but the scenery on today’s four-hour hike is no less remarkable: follow a meandering river trail to a picturesque village at the mountain’s base, then enjoy a traditional Berber lunch at our friend Mohammad’s house.
Afterwards, we’ll make our way back to Imlil. The markets in this village-overflowing with hand-crafted tapestries, linens, leather, and pottery-are a wonderful place to hone our shopping skills before we hit the medina in Marrakech later this week. Back at the hotel, wind down with a stroll through the manicured gardens, sundowner in hand.
- Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
- Destinations: Imlil, Toubkal
- Accomplished: 5 miles / 8 km hiking
- Accommodations: Kasbah Tamadot
Day 4: Cycling to Marrakech
Our last breakfast at Tamadot offers a taste of ripe and exotic fruits-some of which you’ll recognize as we pedal through a tapestry of almond, cherry, and olive trees. Throughout the seasons, families (and their donkeys) travel along these farm roads tending and harvesting the orchards. After our morning ride, we’ll trade bicycles for camels and set off through the desert for a taste of the nomadic lifestyle.
Back on the bikes, continue cycling through Moulay Brahim, a town named for a Moroccan Sufi saint, and arrive in lakefront Lalla Takerkoust for lunch. This afternoon, transfer to Marrakech and get settled into your luxury riad. Indulge in the time-honored ritual of a Moroccan hammam or browse the city’s bustling bazaars for a special souvenir-perhaps a clay tagine, a silver teapot, or a box of traditional, honey-soaked pastry. As the day draws to a close, savor the city’s culinary delights and enjoy dinner at your leisure. Our guides will gladly share their recommendations.
- Meals: Breakfast / Lunch
- Destinations: Moulay Brahim, Lalla Takerkoust, Marrakech
- Accomplished: 28 miles / 45 km, elevation gain: 1,804 feet / 550 meters
- Accommodations: La Maison Arabe or Le Farnatchi
Day 5: Marrakech Cuisine and Culture
After a traditional breakfast of fruit, dates, juices, and freshly baked breads, it’s time to join our private chef for a hands-on morning of Moroccan cuisine. The adventure begins with a trip to the souks to practice our bargaining skills and select fresh ingredients. Then, we’ll roll up our sleeves and prepare a variety of dishes that showcase the produce, fruits, and spices of North Africa, savoring our creations during lunch.
Spend the afternoon exploring Marrakech with Mohammad, a talented local guide who brings the city’s culture and heritage to life, weaving stories as intricate as the Berber rugs for sale in its souks. Marvel at the beauty of Islamic and Moroccan architecture at Dar el Bacha, admire jewel-toned textiles displayed in market stalls, and visit Ben Youssef Madrasa, a 14th-century Islamic college.
Tonight, a horse-drawn carriage takes us on an enchanting jaunt through the Mellah, Marrakech’s historic Jewish quarter, and on to the vibrant Jemaa-el-Fnaa square, where we’ll enjoy a sumptuous farewell dinner and toast to an unforgettable week.
- Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
- Destinations: Marrakech
- Accomplished: Walking tour of Marrakech
- Accommodations: La Maison Arabe or Le Farnatchi
Day 6: Departure
After one more lovely breakfast-and perhaps a last mint tea-it’s time to say farewell to this intoxicatingly beautiful hotel and city. Your guides will transfer you to the Marrakech airport, beginning your journey home.
- Meals: Breakfast
DuVine itineraries may be subject to slight route changes, hotel substitutions, and other modifications.
Airport City: Marrakech, Morocco
- Pick-Up Location: Marrakech Airport or hotel
- Pick-Up Time: 10:00 am
- Airport City: Marrakech, Morocco
- Drop-Off Location: Marrakech Airport
- Drop-Off Time: 11:00 am
Arrival and departure details for alternate itineraries and future year departures may be subject to change.
| Month | Price |
|---|---|
| Apr 5 - 10 | $8,495 |
| Nov 9 - 14 | $8,495 |
| Nov 22 - 27 | $8,495 |
| Nov 29 - Dec 4 | $8,495 |
To show you all our favorite parts of Morocco, this tour includes transfers on multiple occasions. We like to think of it as an opportunity to see more of the country en route to your next ride.
What to Pack
For the hikes on this tour, we strongly recommend bringing hiking boots or trail shoes with good traction (not running shoes or sneakers). Moisture-wicking clothing or daypacks are also recommended, but not required.
For your Morocco cycling tour, it’s essential to pack lightweight, moisture-wicking clothing suitable for varying temperatures and terrain. For women, it is customary to have your shoulders covered at all times in Morocco. Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a wide-brimmed hat are crucial for sun protection, while a hydration pack or water bottles will keep you refreshed during your rides. Padded cycling shorts, cycling gloves, and sturdy cycling shoes are also key items for any cycling tour.
It is recommended that riders bring their own bikes. A lightweight full-suspension trail bike with 130/140mm travel that climbs and descends capably is best for this adventure. As the terrain is rocky tires should be tubeless, 2.30” or above, aggressive tread, one to two-ply casing for durability, puncture resistance and added control. Please ensure your bike is in top working condition and freshly tuned. Never arrive with new parts or a bike that hasn’t been ridden. Eye protection and knee pads that you can comfortably pedal in are highly recommended. Helmets are mandatory when on your bike.
Safety and Support
At Exodus, we design all of our tours with your safety in mind. Our skilled team is also with you along the way, supporting and ensuring your well being. While roads and trails in Morocco are generally well-maintained, it’s essential to remain vigilant, especially in urban areas where traffic can be hectic. On our off-road, mountain biking tours, we have carefully crafted itineraries on trails that are challenging but safe. Helmets are mandatory for everyone on a guided Exodus cycling trip.
Our team of guides and support staff are the best in the country, with a combined 30 years of experience-they’re true pioneers of mountain biking in Morocco.
Testimonials
KathrynTraveled in March5This was my first group tour, first cycling tour, and first trip to Morocco, and it was fabulous, beyond all of my expectations. Our guides, Said and Faisl, were knowledgeable, organized, passionate about sharing their country and cycling skills, easy going, and most importantly, fun! The itinerary was packed full of memorable experiences, great food, and gorgeous scenery- I felt like I spent a month in Morocco rather than just 2 weeks! The cycling was challenging but manageable, especially with the support of our awesome guides and fellow group members. Our group bonded like family from the start, making the trip that much more enjoyable.
The bikes were great, the guides easily addressed any needed tweaks or repairs, the van was comfortable, the drivers were great, and the logistics were handled flawlessly by the support team. I do recommend bringing your own seat- it made my two weeks much more comfortable! The meals and snacks were fantastic and plentiful- I don't think I was hungry once the whole trip. The accommodations were always clean and comfortable, and were at times outright beautiful. I couldn't have been more pleased with this trip. I'll definitely look to Intrepid for my next trip (though I'm not sure how it could top this one!)
Cycle Morocco (including Boumalne Dades)Back at home we usually had moments of mountain biking. But this 8-day active Mountain Biking tour was one of a kind. It was a great adventure for us. As experienced mountain bikers, this adventure was challenging but extremely amazing. Throughout our tour we rode through amazing trails while enjoying the beauty of the Moroccan landscapes. We began from Marrakech to Imlil, and explored various Berber villages-and loved the culture of the Berber people. Our desire to take part in an amazing mountain biking was elevated by the hospitality and delicious typical Berber food. All in all it was a unique mountain biking experience. One that we’d never had before.
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