
Holiday Highlights
- The winding and exhilarating descent to La Cathedrale
- Sharing freshly baked bread and olive oil with High Atlas Berbers
- The Ait Bougmez Valley – one of Morocco’s most picturesque spots
- Morocco’s most epic day of remote mountain trails
- The dazzling Ait Melloul river valley
- Traversing the wild plateau of the High Atlas where nomads roam
This was a trip of a lifetime for us – culturally enlightening, good company and interesting riding. Our tour leader was the best mountain bike guide we have ever had!
Itinerary
Arrive at Marrakech Airport (RAK). Once you have collected your baggage and/or bikes you will be met by one of the Skedaddle guides, who will transport you to our hotel accommodation in the centre of Marrakech. You will have a chance to assemble your bikes, with the help of local staff, if required. The evening session will consist of a pre-trip briefing with your guide and then you will be free to head out for dinner.
Accommodation – Modern hotel with en suite rooms.

- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
- Ascent: 480 Metres Approx.
After breakfast we are met by our transfer vehicle and our Moroccan mountain guide to take us across the plains which surround Marrakech as we head in an easterly direction towards the Central High Atlas Mountains. Today’s transfer takes an hour and a half or so, and we quickly leave the hustle and bustle of Marrakech in our wake. With a relatively short transfer time to the start of the ride we have time to get used to our machines and the demands of riding in Morocco with a warm up ride in the area between the Ait Adel reservoir and the pleasant market town of Demnate. The region offers some varied terrain, from wild heathland to Mediterranean-style olive groves, and its situation in the first ripple of mountains makes it a relatively easy starter before we take on the giants of the High Atlas in the next few days!
Accommodation – Simple hotel close to Demnate with en suite rooms.

- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
- Ascent: 1,430 Metres Approx.
Today we start at low altitudes, so a half hour transfer is used to leave us well placed for a day of cross-country riding with a slight downhill bias. The new road from Demnate to Ouarzazate allows us to access the previously wild terrain of the region, and today’s ride starts in a magnificent scenery of pine forests, framed with towering mountains. A good quality dirt track starts with a fast downhill before a sustained series of ups and downs takes us along a river valley and through some typical High Atlas village communities. The support vehicles may have to take a detour as powerful rivers sometimes wash out sections of the route, adding to the adventure!
A picnic lunch will be set-up en route next to the river. After lunch the landscape opens out into more rolling scenery prior to our arrival in the afternoon in the adobe village of Taarbat, where traditional houses rule the roost, and it’s in one such house that we will spend the night in the shadow of Jebel Raat, one of many towering mountains in the region.
Accommodation – Gîte with shared rooms and facilities.

- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
- Ascent: 920 Metres Approx.
This morning starts with a gradual climb up to a pass before dropping down to the village of Ait Bouilli. Formerly an isolated village, in recent years it has become better connected with the outside world with the arrival of a surfaced road between Demnate and Ait Bougmez. It’s this quiet country lane that we pick up for a scenic ride along the valley and up into arguably the most picturesque valley in the High Atlas – the valley of Ait Bougmez – where we will spend the next two days. After lunch we’ll explore some singletrack around the valley of Arouss and there may be time to take a short hike through the interesting Arouss Gorge. Tonight we’ll sleep in a basic family-run gite in the village of Agouti.
Accommodation – Gîte with shared rooms and facilities.

- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
- Ascent: 860 Metres Approx.
After a leisurely breakfast we set off on a day’s ride across the Ait Bougmez valley. It’s a straightforward but beautiful day’s riding along singletrack valley trails and wider jeep tracks. Today the gradient is gentle, giving everyone time to prepare for tomorrow’s big mountain stage! The valley offers some excellent trails, through fields and typical villages where life has hardly changed in centuries. The valley is called “La Vallee Heureuse” (“Happy Valley”) on account of its friendly inhabitants and we’ll enjoy a cup of tea with the locals en route to Tabant, the main village in the valley. It’s from here we’ll climb out of the valley on a well-graded and well-maintained jeep road, before a descent in the afternoon takes us to Ifrane, one of the highest villages in Ait Bougmez where we will stop for the night in another local gite. As always there may be time for a walk at the end of the day and a chance to capture the valley on camera in the fabulous late afternoon light.
Accommodation – Gîte with shared rooms and facilities.

- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
- Ascent: 1,300 Metres Approx.
Today is the last full day of riding, and what a day it is! We consider this day to be one of Skedaddle’s best cross country days, anywhere in the world! It’s a day of constant changes in landscape, extraordinary views, tough climbing challenges, and plenty of superb downhill. It is a true journey in itself and is a fitting way to finish the trip. Starting out from Ifrane the jeep track follows the valley before climbing sharply out of Ait Bougmez and up to a pass at 2600 metres above sea level. It’s a very tough 8km climb but you’ll be well rewarded with some fantastic views southward over the valley. Up at the pass the scenery changes as the greenery of the valley gives way to more stark, wild mountains punctuated with simple stone shelters (azibs) used by nomads in summer when they migrate from the burning hot south with their flocks of animals. It’s also good terrain for sighting Bonelli’s Eagles and Ospreys.
After a fast descent we stop for our picnic lunch in a river valley where a souk (open-air market) is held once a week. After a good rest we have another climb of 6km or so to tackle before some more glorious downhill to a tea stop on a wild and grassy plateau. This time we climb to 2700m – enough altitude to notice a shortness of breath in the lungs – but it’s all worth it as we descend through some wonderful scenery along a rough trail to the village of Telmest, set in a cultivated valley which seldom sees other tourists. From here we continue over another short sharp climb and over a dazzling pass before a fantastic descent takes us through pine forest and down to the Ahansal River and the magnificent Cathedrale Rock. It’s normally very warm at our destination and the order of the day is a dip in the cool waters of the river before dinner.
Accommodation – Gîte – All rooms with en suite facilities.

- Meals: Breakfast, lunch
- Ascent: 330 Metres Approx.
Today we have a five hour journey back to Marrakech but for keen riders some singletrack riding can be arranged early morning around the Cathedrale Rock.
The road back to Marrakech is a scenic route via the Ben Al Widane lake and there may be time to make a stop at the Ouzoud Falls – Morocco’s most spectacular waterfall, where three tiers of water cascade impressively into the pools below. On arrival in Marrakech we’ll head out for a farewell meal and overnight is spent in a hotel in the Ville Nouvelle.
Accommodation – Modern hotel with en suite rooms.

- Meals: Breakfast
Transfer to airport for homeward flight. Most flights depart in the afternoon so there’s time to explore the city and pick up a few last minute souvenirs.
PLEASE NOTE
Morocco is one of the world’s most rapidly changing countries and at times one of the least predictable! Pistes become tarmac roads in the blink of an eye, hotels close down unexpectedly and new, often better, options appear just as fast. We try to move with the times and as a result there may be occasional deviations from the publicised itinerary / information. Similarly, weather conditions in the Atlas are unpredictable and we reserve the right to make such changes where appropriate, with the group’s safety a priority.
Gallery
The Cycling
Terrain
Much of the riding takes place on vehicle width tracks, varying from relatively smooth and well-maintained to rocky and sandy in places.
Although much of the riding is non-technical, good bike handling skills are required in order to cope with loose stones and sand, and for riding in terrain which is very different from what many people will be used to. There are some singletrack sections with varying levels of technicality, from easy valley trails to some optional rocky descents.
Above all, a very good level of fitness is required to cope with some very mountainous terrain, with ascents up to 1000m/3280ft in height gain and 15km/9 miles in length. We recommend you bring a bike with full suspension for your own comfort, or alternatively a good quality hardtail.

Mountain Biking Grade
Distances of 25-50 miles / 40-80 kms per day
For regular mountain bikers who have a good level of fitness
Routes with frequent moderate to difficult technical sections
Our grading guidelines have been carefully created based on our many years of cycling experience, as well as customer feedback from our trips. Of course, if you're still struggling to figure out where you fit on the scale, do feel free to give us a quick call and we'll be more than happy to help!
For more information about our grading system click here.
Is this suitable for you?
As well as keeping a good level of fitness you are also an experienced biker and enjoy riding more challenging trails. You usually ride most weekends and can cover between 30 and 50 miles over a full 8-9 hour day (with breaks). The routes you choose generally include more challenging 1-2 hour long climbs perhaps with sharp switchbacks and sections of large and loose rocks. You are comfortable riding most trails including sections of technical or exposed singletrack with some testing obstacles such as drop offs and steep downhills. Our grade 4 trips should suit you.
Top draw, never done something like this before! Guides were outstanding, I learned a lot from them.
Dates & Prices
Late Availability
We want you to know which holidays are coming up soon, so you don’t miss out! If a trip has this symbol beside it, it means you don’t have long to snap up your place.
SPECIAL 2023 OFFER! Book now and make savings on our Grand Atlas Traverse holiday. Please quote code EM2023 at the time of booking your trip to get 5% off. *T&Cs apply, offer ends 31/01/2023.
Private Departures
Are you keen to only travel with your family or friends? Struggling to find the right date? Well, we can organise a private departure for this tour and tailor aspects to suit your group's specific needs. Contact our friendly team and we'll help you turn your dream into reality.
Whats Included 
A) All accommodation during the trip (usually twin-shared rooms except in family houses where you may be required to share with people from your group)
B) Meals as specified in the Trip Notes – B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner
C) Full tour service including guide(s) / support staff and support vehicle.
D) Mint tea, bottled drinking water.
E) Airport transfers to and from Marrakech Airport (RAK) on scheduled arrival and departure days.
What's not Included 
A) Bike rental (if applicable)
B) Personal clothing and equipment (including a sleeping bag)
C) Travel to and from Morocco
D) Bike carriage on flights (if applicable)
E) Alcoholic drinks
F) Travel insurance
G) Bar bills, telephone calls, souvenirs, etc.
H) Tips for local guides/drivers.
I) Airport transfers on days other than the scheduled arrival / departure days
The Essentials
News, Reviews & Stories
Our 26 favourite days in the saddle
What is the best day you can experience? Well, our expert team has some ideas...
Meet the guides: Abdel, Morocco
Our main man in Morocco started guiding back in 2018, he now leads all of our holidays in the country...
Reviews
Nick, CumbriaThe organisation was faultless!The guide and support crew were first class, and everyone (riders, guide, support crew) got on brilliantly. A superb, easy-going holiday, involving some serious bike travel over stunning terrain.
Mark, DevonExcellent...First days lunch, picnic tables set up under walnut trees, cushions and blankets laid out, masses of fresh cooked food , fruit and drinks. Incredible. The support crew managed it every day. Plenty of snacks available whenever we wanted. Totally spoiled every day.
Saiid is a really professional guide. He spent the entire trip making sure everything was as perfect as it could be. Nothing was too much trouble. His knowledge of the area and the people was astounding, the information he passed on greatly appreciated. His organisation of the trip, accommodation and his team was perfect. They washed the bikes a couple of times, cleaned and lubed the chains every morning, even fixed punctures!
Ewa, SurreyNothing was too much trouble...Great mix of accommodation, I don’t think that the description of doura samara gives it justice, definitely my favourite place to stay. Love the fact that we were staying in gites as well as it gave a great balance to the experience. Omar is an asset to the operation. I came back for his food. very important for hungry cyclists…
Saaid manages a great team, his attention to detail, warm personality, and sense of humour made the trip. Nothing was too much trouble, his local knowledge and passion for the region was very apparent. Couldn’t think of a better tour leader to visit Morocco with.
John, HertfordshireExcellent...Thoroughly enjoyed it. Very well organised, everything went smoothly with no problems. Saaid is an excellent guide and made the holiday a pleasure from start to finish.
Neil, NewcastleOnce in a lifetime...This was a truly epic and fantastic cycling experience. The sights and landscapes at make this a beautiful part of the world when you are 3000m the views are tremendous. The guys in Morocco were brilliant, and the camaraderie of the group and the completion of such a great cycling challenge really did make this a once in a lifetime experience!
Bunny, SurreyExcellent value for money...Khaled was a good guide and very patient with those of us at the back! His english was excellent and he was very knowledgeable. Saaid went out of his way to help us in way way he could and he was always the one cleaning the bikes and helping put tents up – he was really great. We found the drivers very careful and pleasant – Mohammed especially charming. The best mountain biking ever!
Storm, NewcastleWhole experience was seamless...Top draw, never done something like this before! Charlie and Saaid were outstanding, I learned a lot from them.
I hired a bike for the trip and never ridden anything like it – loads better than mine!
Paul, GatesheadAbsolutely faultless service by Skedaddle...Massively impressed by the efficiency and enthusiasm of the guides – everything appeared to be perfectly managed and timings were always spot on! Overall, fantastic service.
In hindsight I would have paid double!
Debbie, SwindonThis was a trip of a lifetime for us...Our tour leader was the best mountain bike guide we have ever had. I can’t see this type of trip being successful without his local knowledge, connections and background. He is an asset to your tours!
This was a trip of a lifetime for us – culturally enlightening, good company and interesting riding. I would recommend this trip to anyone seeking to learn about a different part of the world from the seat of their mountain bike. Best part of our trip to Morocco.
Fiona, ShropshireMorocco TraverseThe overall best day would be the biggie- Ifrane to The Cathedrale for the sheer variety of scenery and do-able climbs that challenged your stamina.