Morocco cycling vacations travel guide

This Morocco cycling vacations travel guide takes you on a journey up through the Atlas Mountains, down through gorgeous gorges, up argan filled valleys, and down Atlantic coastlines. Morocco has it all. From moderate to challenging cycle routes, have your bags transported for you and full vehicle support in case you just want to chill for a while. Morocco doesn’t have to do races. Because its landscapes and wonderful people are the winners. At every stage along the way.

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Morocco cycling vacations travel guide

2 MINUTE SUMMARY

Cycling enthusiasts know that the Grand Tour refers to the three seriously sweaty, muscle marauding road races that take over France, Spain and Italy. This Morocco cycling vacations travel guide is our version of the Tour de Maroc. Except that cycling vacations here are about culture as much as they are about conquering cols. There are different stages, but ones where the prize is a great ancient city such as Essaouira or Chefchaouen, the Tizi n'Tichka Pass in the High Atlas or a desert Kasbah such as the great Ait Benhaddou. You do need to be fit to cycle in Morocco, but not ‘bath full of ice at the end of the day’ sort of fit. More a ‘traditional hammam in the High Atlas Mountains’ sort of fit. And you won’t find time trials here. But you will find the most perfect ‘breakaway.’

Is a Morocco cycling vacation for you?

Responsible Travel recommends

Go on a Morocco cycling vacation if…

… you want to experience a completely different culture while cycling. Morocco is definitely the closest country to Europe for that.

… mountain biking and tricky terrain is a challenge you enjoy. Welcome to the Atlas and Rif Mountains.

… you want a special vacation with your teenagers before they fly the nest. Although most vacations are for over 16s, they are worth the wait.

… you want serenity. These vacations really do take you off Morocco’s tourist trail. Many also include a night in a Sahara Bedouin camp. Albeit swapping cycling for camel-ing for a day.

Don’t go on a Morocco cycling vacation if...

… road cycling is your thing. They do exist, but most cycling vacations in Morocco are about mountains and canyons. So think MTB rather than TDF.

… you don’t like sweating. Even though you may be cycling through the Atlas Mountains which are snow peaked, winter day temperatures can hit the 20s. Although night times can be freezing.

… you don’t do groups. Most cycling vacations in Morocco are small group tours, but there is always plenty of free time built in for you to do things at your own pace.

… you don’t have some level of fitness. You don’t need to be Wiggo, but cycling up to 50km every day isn’t just like riding a bike.

Best time to go on a Morocco cycling vacation

TEMPERATURE & RAINFALL

Locations: Atlas Mountains | Ouarzazate

The best time to go on a cycling vacation in Morocco is when the temperatures are not so relentlessly hot, which is why most trips don’t run in Jul-Aug. So, Mar-Jun or Sep-Nov are best. Snow falls in the High Atlas in the height of winter, so not great for cycling either. You will also get some rain in the winter months along the Atlantic coast. May is spectacular in the Dades Valley, when the roses start to blossom. Some people resist traveling during Ramadan, but evenings are lively during this time and witnessing it feels like an honour.