Road Cycling in Morocco: Best Routes, Passes and Guided Road Bike Tours
Taking a road bike in Morocco is one of the best cycling trips you can do close to Europe. In a few hours from Marrakech you can climb long Atlas passes above 2,000 m, ride quiet valleys lined with Berber villages and roll along the Atlantic coast. Here is our local team’s guide to road cycling in Morocco: the best routes, when to go and how a guided road bike tour works.
Quick answer: Morocco is great for road cycling. The classic climbs are Tizi n’Tichka (2,260 m) and Tizi n’Test (2,092 m) in the High Atlas, the road to Oukaimeden above the Ourika valley, and the switchbacks of the Dades Gorges. The best seasons are spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November). We run private guided road bike tours from Marrakech with a 4×4 support vehicle, bikes included, and we plan the route around your level and dates.
Is Morocco Good for Road Cycling?
Yes. Morocco has big mountain climbs, smooth main roads over the Atlas, quiet secondary roads in the valleys and mild weather for most of the year. The scenery changes fast: in one week you can ride from the palm groves of Marrakech over snow-capped passes to the kasbahs and oases of the south. Many European riders come in spring and autumn, when it is too cold or wet to ride at home.
The Best Road Cycling Routes in Morocco
Tizi n’Tichka (2,260 m)
The highest main road pass in Morocco, on the road from Marrakech to Ouarzazate. It is a long, steady climb with wide views over the High Atlas, and a fast descent toward Ait Ben Haddou and the south. It is the main road over the mountains, so expect trucks and buses, and ride it early in the day.
Tizi n’Test (2,092 m)
Our favourite road pass. The road leaves Marrakech through Asni and Ouirgane, passes the old Tin Mal mosque and climbs on narrow switchbacks to the top, with a huge view over the Souss plain. There is much less traffic than on the Tichka, but the road is narrow in places.
The Ourika Valley and Oukaimeden
The closest big climb to Marrakech. You ride up the green Ourika valley, then climb to the ski resort of Oukaimeden at about 2,600 m. It makes a hard but perfect day ride from the city, and a good test of your legs before a longer tour.
The Dades Gorges
In the south, the road through the Dades Gorges climbs past red cliffs and kasbahs to the famous hairpin bends of Tissadrine. Combine it with the Rose Valley and the Skoura oasis for some of the most photogenic riding in Morocco.
Lalla Takerkoust and the Agafay Desert
An easier ride from Marrakech on quiet roads to the Lalla Takerkoust lake, with the stony hills of the Agafay Desert and the Atlas in the background. Good for a first day to get used to the heat and the bike.
The Atlantic Coast from Essaouira
For flatter kilometres, the coast road south of Essaouira follows the Atlantic past argan trees, beaches and fishing villages. Expect wind, which can be strong, so plan the direction of the ride with your guide.
When to Go Road Cycling in Morocco
- Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November): the best seasons, with mild temperatures in the mountains and in the south.
- Winter (December to February): good for the south and the coast, but the high passes can be cold, and snow can close Tizi n’Tichka and Tizi n’Test for a few days.
- Summer (June to August): very hot in Marrakech and the south. Ride early in the morning and stay high in the mountains.
For month-by-month details, read our guide to the best time to cycle and trek in Morocco.
Road Conditions and Safety
- The main roads over the Atlas are generally well surfaced. Secondary roads can be narrow, with rough patches and gravel on the bends.
- Traffic is light on most mountain roads, but the Tizi n’Tichka is a main route with trucks and buses.
- Watch out for animals, children and donkey carts in the villages, and for strong wind on the coast.
- Carry plenty of water: villages can be far apart in the south.
On a guided tour, a 4×4 support vehicle stays with the group, carries water, food and luggage, and can pick you up whenever you want a break.
How Our Guided Road Bike Tours Work
Our road bike tours are private and built around you. Tell us your level, how many days you have and what you want to ride, and our local team plans the route: classic Atlas passes, the south and the Dades Gorges, the coast, or a mix of everything.
- Start and finish in Marrakech, with airport transfers.
- A local guide and a 4×4 support vehicle every day.
- Road bikes come with the tour, or you can bring your own.
- Accommodation in hotels, kasbahs and guesthouses along the way.
- Any length and any level, from easy valley rides to long climbing days.
Prefer dirt roads? See our gravel and cycling tours, our guide to mountain biking in Morocco or e-bike tours. For an overview of all types of riding, read our complete guide to cycling in Morocco.
Road Cycling in Morocco: FAQ
What is the best road bike climb in Morocco?
The most famous climbs are Tizi n’Tichka (2,260 m) on the road from Marrakech to Ouarzazate and Tizi n’Test (2,092 m) on the road from Marrakech to Taroudant. Tizi n’Test has less traffic and more switchbacks. The climb from the Ourika valley to Oukaimeden (about 2,600 m) is the closest big climb to Marrakech.
When is the best time for road cycling in Morocco?
Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are the best seasons. Winter is good in the south and on the coast, but the high passes can be cold or closed by snow. Summer is very hot outside the mountains.
Do I need to bring my own road bike?
No. Road bikes come with our tours, but you are welcome to bring your own bike if you prefer.
Is it safe to cycle on the roads in Morocco?
Most mountain and valley roads have little traffic. The main passes, especially Tizi n’Tichka, have trucks and buses, so ride early and stay alert. On our tours a 4×4 support vehicle stays with the group every day.
Can you organise a private road bike tour in Morocco?
Yes. All our road bike tours are private. We plan the route, the number of days and the daily distances around your level, starting and finishing in Marrakech.
Plan your road bike tour with a local guide
Private tours from Marrakech · bikes included · 4×4 support every day · reply within 24 hours.
