Morocco Gravel Bike Tours: Guided Gravel Rides from the Atlas to the Sahara
Gravel is what we do – it is in our name. Ride old caravan tracks, quiet pistes and empty back roads from Marrakech over the High Atlas to the kasbahs, gorges and palm groves of the south, with a local guide and a 4x4 support vehicle every day.
4 gravel tours · 95 to 300 km · bikes available
Pure gravelCaravan Road Gravel Bike Tour
Skoura oasis, Rose Valley, Dades Gorges, Jebel Saghro and the Draa Valley on old caravan tracks.
Gravel / MTBAtlas to Sahara Cycling Tour
Over the High Atlas, through the Draa palm groves and out to a desert camp in the dunes.
Hike & BikeHappy Valley, Lake & Ouzoud
Two days hiking, then three days of gravel through the M’Goun Geopark to Bin El Ouidane.
Hike & BikeToubkal Summit & Agafay by Bike
Climb Toubkal (4,167 m), then ride the Imnan valley, Ouirgane and the stony Agafay desert.
Custom Gravel Bike Tour
Want a shorter trip, a longer bikepacking-style route or your own dates? We build private gravel tours around your group, your level and your season.
Plan My Gravel TourWhy Morocco Is Made for Gravel Biking
Long before there were roads, Morocco was crossed by caravan routes that linked the Sahara to Marrakech. Many of those tracks still exist: dirt pistes over passes, along rivers and between oasis villages, used today by shepherds, mule trains and the odd 4x4. For a gravel bike they are perfect – rideable, quiet and endlessly varied.
In a single tour you can roll over red earth in the Skoura oasis, climb the volcanic plateaus of Jebel Saghro, descend into the Dades Gorges and finish among the palm groves of the Draa Valley. The surfaces change from hard-packed dirt to stony tracks and, near the desert, patches of sand. Traffic is light, villages are welcoming, and there is always a glass of mint tea waiting somewhere.
Our team grew up in these mountains. Our founder Marouane trained at the mountain guide school (CFAMM) in the Ait Bouguemez valley, and our guides know where the water points are, which tracks are washed out after rain, and which family will invite the group in for lunch.
The Caravan Road Gravel Bike Tour
This is the tour we are proudest of: five days on dirt roads following the old caravan route from the High Atlas over Jebel Saghro to the Draa Valley, Morocco’s longest oasis. Nights are in kasbah hotels and family-run guesthouses, and a 4x4 carries the luggage and water.
- Skoura oasis – 35 km, +480 m. An easy first day on red earth along the river.
- Rose Valley & Dades Gorges – 68 km, +800 m. Across the Azaghar plateau and the Kati gorges.
- Jebel Saghro – 68 km, +1,200 m. The big day: Berber villages and the rocky Saghro massif.
- Down to the Draa Valley – 64 km, +850 m. Up to the Saghro plateau, then down the old caravan route.
- Draa oasis & Tizgui waterfall – 46 km, +400 m. Mostly flat or downhill through the palm groves.
See the full Caravan Road itinerary, or read our Dades Gorges guide and Draa Valley guide.
Caravan Road at a glance
- 8 days from Marrakech, 5 days of riding
- 281 km in total, 35 to 68 km a day
- About +3,700 m of climbing over the five days
- Level: moderate – no racing, but steady riding on dirt
- Best time: March to November
- Up to 16 riders, or private on your dates
- From 1,100 € per person
Gravel From the High Atlas to the Sahara
Our Atlas to Sahara cycling tour gives you the most riding: six days and about 300 km. You cross the Atlas over the Tizi n’Tichka pass (2,260 m), ride past Ait Ben Haddou to Ouarzazate, follow the Draa oasis to Zagora and the old library of Tamegroute, then head out over dry lakes to a camp in the dunes of Erg Lihoudi, on the way to the Chegaga dunes.
The surface is a mix of quiet back roads and desert pistes, so it works on a gravel bike, a mountain bike or an e-bike. It is the best choice if you want the full journey from the mountains to the Sahara, and it runs from March to December.
Want to know more about the desert part? Read our Agafay Desert guide and Draa Valley guide.
Gravel with hiking
Travelling with walkers, or want to do both? Our two hike and bike tours mix trekking days with gravel days:
- Happy Valley, Lake & Ouzoud – 2 days hiking, 3 days of gravel (160 km) through the M’Goun Geopark, through thuya forest to Bin El Ouidane lake.
- Toubkal Summit & Agafay by Bike – 3 days trekking to the top of Toubkal, then 2 days of riding (95 km) via the Tizi n’Tamatert pass to the Agafay desert.
See all our bike tours in Morocco.
Which Gravel Tour Should You Choose?
All four tours last 8 days, start and finish in Marrakech and include a local guide, a 4x4 support vehicle, accommodation, most meals and airport transfers. The difference is how much you ride and where.
| Tour | Riding days | Distance | Level | Season | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caravan Road | 5 | 281 km | Moderate | Mar–Nov | 1,100 € |
| Atlas to Sahara | 6 | about 300 km | Moderate | Mar–Dec | 1,100 € |
| Happy Valley hike & bike | 3 (+2 hiking) | 160 km | Easy–moderate | Mar–Nov | 1,050 € |
| Toubkal & Agafay | 2 (+3 trekking) | 95 km | Challenging trek, moderate riding | Mar–Nov | 1,050 € |
Which Bike for Gravel in Morocco?
A gravel bike with tyres of 40 mm or wider is ideal: some tracks are stony, and near the desert there are sandy sections. Wider tyres at lower pressure make the ride far more comfortable. A hardtail mountain bike works well too, and an e-bike is a great option if you want help on the climbs.
You can bring your own bike or rent a gravel bike, mountain bike or e-bike through us. Bring padded shorts, gloves, a helmet (mandatory), sunglasses, a windproof layer for cold mornings and a buff against the dust.
Who Are Our Gravel Tours For?
You do not need to be a racer. If you can ride 40 to 60 km on mixed surfaces at home and enjoy several days in a row in the saddle, you will enjoy our gravel tours. The support vehicle is always close, so you can rest for a section and rejoin the group later.
The best seasons are spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November). Summer is hot in the south; winter is mild in the desert but cold in the mountains. See our month-by-month guide.
Reviews From Our Travellers
For the most amazing experiences, ask for Maruoane as your guide!
I've been on a dozen tours and Maruoane excels as the best guide. He truly cared about providing amazing local experiences, all while keeping us safe and entertained. I highly recommend!!!
— Guest review
Make memories with Marouane!
I experienced a 14 day tour with Marouane earlier this year. His expertise, professionalism and general knowledge of his native country exceeded all of my expectations. I highly recommend him as a guide and encourage anyone to experience magical Morocco!
— Guest review
Authentic Experience
Well organised, knowledgeable guide. Better than cookie cutter tours as they are flexible and customise as the tour progresses taking into account weather and how travellers are feeling. I felt like this group provided an authentic experience.
— Guest review
Gravel Biking in Morocco: FAQ
What is a gravel bike tour in Morocco?
A guided multi-day ride on dirt roads, old caravan tracks and quiet back roads. On our tours a local guide rides with you, a 4x4 carries the luggage and water, and you sleep in kasbah hotels, guesthouses or a desert camp.
How many kilometres do you ride a day?
Between 30 and 68 km a day depending on the tour. The Caravan Road covers 281 km in five riding days and the Atlas to Sahara tour about 300 km in six days.
Do I need my own gravel bike?
No. You can bring your own bike or rent a gravel bike, a mountain bike or an e-bike through us.
What tyres should I use for gravel in Morocco?
We recommend 40 mm or wider. Some tracks are stony and there is sand near the desert, so wider tyres at lower pressure are more comfortable and safer.
When is the best time for gravel biking in Morocco?
Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November). The Caravan Road runs from March to November and the Atlas to Sahara tour from March to December.
How much does a gravel bike tour in Morocco cost?
Our 8-day gravel and cycling tours cost from 1,050 € to 1,100 € per person, including the guide, 4x4 support, accommodation, most meals and transfers. Bike hire is extra.
Can I book a private gravel tour?
Yes. Every tour can run as a private trip on your dates, and we can design a custom gravel route for your group and level.
Plan Your Gravel Trip
Cycling in Morocco: The Complete Guide
The best gravel routes, which bike and tyres, daily distances.
Read the guide → DadesDades Gorges & the Rose Valley
What to see and how to ride them on the Caravan Road.
Read the guide → E-bikeE-Bike Tours in Morocco
Which of our gravel routes work with electric assist.
Read the guide → FrançaisVélo et gravel au Maroc
Notre guide du gravel au Maroc en français.
Lire le guide →Ready to ride Morocco’s gravel?
Tell us your dates, level and group size – our local team will suggest the best gravel route or build a private tour for you. We reply within 24 hours.