The High Atlas begins about an hour and a half south of Marrakech, and its valleys are laced with mule tracks, gravel roads and quiet tarmac. You can ride a single day out of Marrakech, or link several days through the villages with a support vehicle carrying your bags.
This guide covers the routes we ride, how hard they are, and when an e-bike is the better choice.
Where you ride
All our routes start in the valleys south of Marrakech:
| Start | Distance from Marrakech | Driving time |
|---|---|---|
| Asni | 52 km | about 1 h |
| Imlil | 68 km | about 1 h 20 |
Imlil, at about 1,740 m, is the village at the foot of Toubkal and the usual starting point. From there the classic climb is to the pass of Tizi n’Tamatert, at about 2,300 m, followed by a long descent through the Imnane valley and its villages to Asni.
West of Asni, the Kik plateau is open, rolling country under the high peaks, with almond orchards and wide views of the Atlas. From there the riding drops through Amizmiz and its terraced villages towards the stony Agafay desert, 37 km from Marrakech.
The routes
One day: Imlil, Tizi n’Tamatert and the Imnane valley
The most popular single day. After the drive to Imlil and a test ride, you climb steadily to Tizi n’Tamatert, then descend past villages and terraced fields to lunch in a family home in the Imnane valley, and finish on easier trails to Asni. About 45 km in total, on a mix of tarmac, gravel and technical single track. It suits intermediate riders who are comfortable climbing and descending on mountain trails.
See the Atlas mountain bike day trip from Marrakech.
Two days: from the Imnane valley to the Agafay desert
Day one is the same ride from Imlil over Tizi n’Tamatert to Asni, about 45 km, with a night in a guesthouse. Day two crosses the Kik plateau and drops through Amizmiz to the Agafay desert, about 50 km. A support vehicle follows and a cook prepares the meals, and the distances can be shortened with the vehicle. This tour can be ridden on a mountain bike or an e-bike.
See the 2-day Atlas mountain bike or e-bike tour.
Four days: Imlil, the Azzaden valley, Tkent and the Kik plateau
Three riding days with a rest day in the middle:
| Day | Route | Distance | Climbing |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | A loop from Imlil through villages and ridgelines | about 70 km | about 1,500 m |
| 2 | Imlil through the Azzaden valley to Ouirgane | about 40 km | about 1,000 m |
| 3 | Rest day in the village of Tkent, with a cooking class | short ride or transfer | |
| 4 | Ouirgane across the Kik plateau to Marrakech | about 75 km | about 1,200 m |
The figures depend on the route chosen on the day. Guides, a cook and a support vehicle travel with you, and the nights are in guesthouses. See the 4-day Atlas mountain bike tour.
How hard is it?
The day trip and the four-day tour are moderate to challenging: real climbs at altitude, and descents on rough single track. You should be comfortable riding off-road at home. The two-day tour is moderate, and easier on an e-bike.
Two things make the Atlas harder than the numbers suggest: the altitude, since Tizi n’Tamatert is about 2,300 m, and the loose ground on the descents. On the multi-day tours the support vehicle can shorten the day for anyone who wants to.
Should you ride an e-bike?
An e-bike makes sense if:
- you are a fit cyclist but not used to long climbs at altitude;
- your group has mixed levels and you want to ride together;
- you want to enjoy the views on the climb rather than count the metres.
It is not a free ride: the descents are the same on either bike, and you still need to handle a bike on rough ground.
What you need to know before booking
- Tell us your riding level and your height when you book, so the right bike is ready.
- Bikes and helmets are included.
- Lunch is in a family home on the day trip; on the multi-day tours a cook travels with you.
- For the seasons, see our guide to the best time to visit Morocco, and our article on how far the Atlas Mountains are from Marrakech.
All our mountain bike tours are private or small group, and the route can be adapted to your level. Contact us with your dates and how many riders you are.