Ask most cyclists to picture Morocco and they’ll think of the High Atlas and the Sahara. Few think of the Anti-Atlas, the older, lower, quieter range to the south-west.
That’s a shame, because for gravel biking Morocco has few better playgrounds. Pink granite boulders sit stacked like sculptures, palm valleys hide in the folds of the hills, and the dirt roads are almost empty.
Gravel biking Morocco’s Anti-Atlas: why it’s ideal
Four things make it special: low traffic, a huge network of dirt tracks, dramatic granite formations and mild winter temperatures.
Many tracks were used for centuries by villagers, herders and traders, so you can link tiny settlements without touching a main road. And when Europe is cold and grey, the Anti-Atlas often offers sunny, comfortable riding. Mornings and evenings can be cool, so pack layers.
A quick note on what follows: these are areas and styles of riding, not turn-by-turn routes. Tracks change after rain, so confirm details locally and load a trusted GPX file before you set off.
5 areas to ride
1. The Ameln Valley
The Ameln Valley is the headline act. Villages sit among almond trees and palms, linked by dirt roads along the valley floor, with great stacks of smooth rock on either side.
The tracks suit a solid gravel bike: firm dirt, loose gravel and a few rocky bits. Come in late winter or early spring and you might catch the almond blossom. Stop for mint tea, bread and olive oil: people are curious and kind.
2. The rocks around Tafraoute
Near Tafraoute, the granite takes its most surreal shapes. Tracks weave between the boulders like paths through a giant sculpture garden, and the stone changes colour at sunrise and sunset.
Expect hardpack, rubble and some technical rocky sections, especially off the main tracks. Take loose descents carefully.
3. Quiet dirt roads and old trade routes
Old paths cross much of the region, some now wide dirt roads, others narrow and barely visible. You’ll pass abandoned granaries, old walls and hamlets that look unchanged for generations.
Surfaces vary hugely, from smooth earth to washed-out stone. This is where local knowledge matters most; don’t try the remote sections without a guide or a trusted GPX route and a backup plan.
4. Palm valleys and oasis tracks
Between the granite ridges lie narrow valleys with palm groves, irrigation channels and terraced gardens. Tracks follow the valley floors, so riding is gentler, with some shade: perfect for a recovery day.
Stay on established tracks, close any gates and slow down near people and animals. Sand collects in places, so keep your weight balanced.
5. The Draa Valley palm groves
The historic tracks through the Draa Valley palm groves complete the list. You ride through shaded avenues of date palms, past mud-brick villages and kasbahs, with the desert never far away. Expect firm earth and sandier patches, and heat in the warmer months.
Difficulty and surfaces
| Type of track | Typical surface | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Valley and palm-grove tracks | Firm to slightly loose | Easier |
| Ameln Valley dirt roads | Dirt, gravel, a few rocks | Moderate |
| Tafraoute rock tracks | Hardpack, rubble, rock | Moderate to technical |
| Old trade routes over ridges | Stony, steep, exposed | Harder |
These are rough guides, not official grades. Surfaces change within a few hundred metres, and a single storm can wash out a track.
Tyres and gearing
A gravel bike with wide, puncture-resistant tyres is ideal; run them tubeless. Low gears help on steep, loose climbs.
An MTB handles the roughest tracks but is slower on long flowing sections. More in our bike guide.
Staying safe in remote terrain
Carry tubes, a pump, a multitool, a quick link and a first aid kit. Ride with a partner when you can, take more water and food than you think, and tell someone your plan. An emergency blanket and a head torch weigh almost nothing.
Navigation: GPX or a guide
The tracks are unmaintained and unmarked, and many are wrong or missing on standard maps. Use a GPS computer or a phone with offline maps, load your GPX route in advance and carry a power bank. When in doubt, ask locals: they know which tracks are passable.
Base yourself in Tafraoute
Tafraoute is the natural hub, surrounded by granite, with hotels, restaurants and shops. Staying in one place means riding light loops in different directions and coming back to a hot shower each night. Add a few days in the Draa Valley for variety.
When to go and what to pack
The cooler months are best. Bring layers, a light windproof and gloves for cold mornings, strong sun protection all year, and extra water with electrolytes. Our packing list has the full list, and the best time to cycle Morocco explains the seasons.
Ride the Anti-Atlas with us
Our Anti-Atlas Tafraoute enduro explores these granite trails with a local guide, and our gravel tours cover the rest of Morocco. Our partners at Atlas Mountain Bike rent gravel bikes in Marrakech. Get in touch to plan your ride.