Mountain Biking in Morocco: Best Regions, Seasons and Guided MTB Tours
Rocky mule tracks in the High Atlas, red-earth descents to Berber villages, stony desert pistes in the south: mountain biking in Morocco is as varied as it gets, and you can be on the trail an hour after landing in Marrakech. Here is our local guides’ overview of where to ride, when to go and how a guided MTB tour works.
Quick answer: Morocco is a great mountain bike destination, with Atlas mountain tracks close to Marrakech and long desert pistes in the south. The best seasons are spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November). Our guided tours last 8 days from Marrakech with a 4×4 support vehicle every day, and we also build private mountain bike tours, from 7 days, on request.
Is Morocco Good for Mountain Biking?
- Real mountains: the High Atlas has peaks above 4,000 m and a network of old mule paths between villages.
- Very little traffic: most tracks in the mountains and the south see more donkeys than cars.
- Different terrain every day: rocky singletrack, gravel roads, river beds and sandy desert pistes.
- Close to Europe: Marrakech is a short flight from most European cities, and the Atlas starts about an hour from the city.
Where to Mountain Bike in Morocco
The High Atlas around Toubkal
The valleys around Imlil, Ouirgane and the Toubkal National Park have steep climbs, technical descents and beautiful Berber villages. It’s the most “mountain” riding in Morocco, and it combines well with trekking: our Hike and Bike: Toubkal and the Agafay Desert tour climbs Toubkal on foot, then rides through the Ouirgane valley to the Agafay desert.
The Central Atlas: Happy Valley and the M’Goun Geopark
Around the Ait Bouguemez, our home region, you ride through apple orchards, over the Tizi n’Tirghist pass and through long thuya and oak forests down to Bin El Ouidane lake and the Ouzoud waterfalls. See our Hike and Bike: Happy Valley, Lake and Waterfall tour and our guide to Ouzoud and Bin El Ouidane.
The South: Saghro, Draa Valley and the Sahara
South of the Atlas the riding opens up: the volcanic Jebel Saghro, the palm groves of the Draa Valley and the desert pistes out to the Chegaga dunes. A mountain bike is the most comfortable choice on the rockier and sandier sections. Ride it on our Atlas to Sahara cycling tour or the Caravan Road tour.
Our Mountain Bike Tours in Morocco
| Tour | Duration | Riding | Level | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlas Mountains & Sahara | 8 days | 6 days | Moderate | 1,100 € |
| Caravan Road | 8 days | 5 days | Moderate | 1,100 € |
| Hike & Bike: Happy Valley | 8 days | 3 days (+ 2 hiking) | Easy to moderate | 1,050 € |
| Hike & Bike: Toubkal & Agafay | 8 days | 2 days (+ 3 trekking) | Challenging trek, moderate riding | 1,050 € |
| Private Atlas MTB tour | 7 days | On request | Your level | 800 € |
All tours start and finish in Marrakech, with local guides, accommodation, most meals, transport and a 4×4 support vehicle every day. Compare all routes on our Morocco bike tours page.
Best Time for Mountain Biking in Morocco
- Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November): the best months almost everywhere.
- Summer: good in the mountains, very hot in the south and the desert.
- Winter: fine in the south and the desert, but expect snow on the high Atlas passes.
More detail in our month-by-month guide.
Bike and Kit
A hardtail or full-suspension mountain bike with tubeless tyres is ideal for the rocky Atlas tracks. You can bring your own bike or rent a mountain bike, gravel bike or e-bike through us (bike hire is not included in the tour price). Bring a helmet, gloves, padded shorts, sunglasses, sunscreen and warm layers for cold mornings in the mountains. For gravel bikes and tyres, read our guide to cycling in Morocco.
Mountain Biking in Morocco: FAQ
Can I rent a mountain bike in Morocco?
Yes. On our tours you can rent a mountain bike, a gravel bike or an e-bike through us, or bring your own. Bike hire is not included in the tour price, so tell us when you book.
Do you offer private mountain bike tours?
Yes. We build private mountain bike tours in the High Atlas or on any route you have in mind. A 7-day private Atlas tour starts from 800 € per person.
How hard is mountain biking in Morocco?
It depends on the route. Our tours are graded easy to moderate on the bike, and a 4×4 support vehicle stays with the group every day, so you can rest in the car whenever you need to.
When is the best time to mountain bike in Morocco?
Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November). Summer is good in the mountains but hot in the south, and the high passes can have snow in winter.
Plan Your MTB Trip
Browse all our bike tours in Morocco or contact our local team for a private mountain bike tour on your dates. We reply within 24 hours.
Do it with a local guide
Small groups or private tours from Marrakech · licensed local guides · 4×4 support or mules · reply within 24 hours.
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