Spend a day cycling through the Ourika Valley and High Atlas Mountains, where fast gravel trails and single tracks offer thrilling descents and scenic climbs. This route combines physical challenge with cultural insight, as you pass traditional Berber villages and panoramic mountain views just a short drive from Marrakech.
The day starts with collection from your accommodation in Marrakech before heading to the Ourika Valley, a lush area known for its natural beauty and traditional villages. After breakfast, you’ll begin a roughly 10km ride through the valley’s green irrigated fields. The route then leaves the valley floor and climbs steadily up the mountainside for about 14km, offering expansive views of the Atlas range and Berber settlements.
At the highest point, Tizi n’Tadmamt (1813m), the terrain levels out and you’ll enjoy gentler riding along mountain contours with sweeping views over the Haouz Plains. After a break at Sidi Fares, the adventure continues with a 10km descent through thrilling single track and gravel paths, ending near Asni. The day wraps up with a transfer back to Marrakech, completing around 4-5 hours of biking. Ride pace and itinerary can be adjusted depending on group skill and weather.
The Ourika Valley lies in the High Atlas Mountains, just a short drive from the bustling city of Marrakech. This region provides a sharp contrast to city life with its mountainous terrain, offering hundreds of miles of single track perfect for mountain biking. The area’s trails weave through varied landscapes, from lush valley bottoms to rocky slopes and snow-capped peaks in the distance.
These mountains have preserved much of their traditional character, with small Berber villages clinging to steep hillsides. The Berber people have a strong cultural identity and the region remains relatively untouched by modern development. Cycling here provides a window into a remote world of striking geography and rich heritage.
Participants should have an intermediate to advanced fitness level and be comfortable with mountain biking on mixed terrain, including gravel, rocky paths, and single track. Prior biking experience is recommended to fully enjoy the descents and technical sections encountered during the ride.
A reasonable level of endurance is necessary to manage steady climbs up to 1813 metres and several hours in the saddle. Riders should also be prepared for changing weather conditions typical of mountain environments.
The team guiding these rides consists of passionate mountain bikers with over 30 years of combined experience in the region. They personally lead each trip, ensuring you benefit from insider knowledge and local expertise. Every guide is skilled in bike maintenance and first aid, providing a safe and enjoyable experience tailored to different skill levels.
There is a strong commitment to responsible tourism, supporting local communities and respecting cultural heritage while keeping group sizes small. This approach guarantees an authentic adventure that respects the natural environment and the traditions of the Berber people, all while delivering memorable riding in Morocco’s High Atlas Mountains.
About the centre
Marrakech
My partner and I did a 3 day MTB tour around the Atlas mountains in late March. Our guide, Lahcen was incredibly accommodating, friendly and knowledgeable of the area. We covered a good distance over the 3 days and found some of the inclines tough. Lahcen was great in coaching…
Ok. My husband enjoyed it. The trails were fun. The first day was very hard - at least black. Second day was good. Third day was brilliant. The guide barely spoke to us. He was often out of sight in areas where there was no obvious route. He didn’t wait…
We had an amazing time. Abdul was fantastic and made sure we were comfortable throughout the day.
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Wood Seats, Sheffield
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