Great road trips

Amtoudi is a Berber village located in a lush oasis surrounded by imposing cliffs. Further, several historical sites (watchtowers and rock carvings) are within walking distance from the village, which has put Amtoudi on the campervan circuit.

The small village of Aoukerda has been connected with a splendid road, which twists and winds its way through this beautiful gorge. At some point the gorge opens up into what can only be described as a mini Grand Canyon. Right after you can see "Hell's Window", a hole in the cliff formation high up. You have to return the same way you come, which isn't any less spectacular.

Morocco is spoiled for road trips, but some still stand out. The road P1000 (on Google maps), which leads to the cute oasis village of Askens, is one of them. The oasis is not like the tourist attraction Paradise Valley Agadir, for this is a real village in an oasis. But no reason to only pick one of them as they are located only 30 km apart passing some of the most beautiful mountain scenery in Morocco.

Another amazing road trip in Morocco is the drive through Dades Gorge. The rust-red gorge has a dramatic landscape. On one side is snowcapped mountains, while the other is dotted with Berber villages and old crumbling kasbahs. At the bottom flows the river, which gives life to palm groves and olive orchards. The gorge starts just north of the town of Boumalne du Dades. A sealed road runs all the way to Msemrir (63 km from Boumalne) and with a 4WD it's possible to do a loop through Todra Gorge, else with a 2WD you have to return the same way. However, the most exhilarating section is the one from 26 km, where the road climb through several hairpin bends with spectacular views down the gorge. Thankfully, there are plenty of safe stopping spots along the road, but not all sections have crash barriers. There is an equal amazing road trip through neighbouring Todra Gorge, which is just 53 km further down the N10.

Gara Medouar is a horseshoe-shaped mountain, which rises vertically 50 m above the desert floor. Though the shape resemble of an extinct volcano, it's not. The off-road trail runs straight in the middle and goes all the way to the top, passing an old defensive wall. The wall dates back to the times, when the mountain was used as a slave trading post for the Portuguese.
Fossils can be found in the limestone slabs at the top.
Such a unique and spectacular natural phenomenon has of course featured in several movies, like "The mummy" and "James Bond, Spectre", and promo videos for KTM, Yamaha and Land Rover.
Today, Gara Medouar is popular with off-road motorcycle riders and overlanders in 4x4.

Paradise Valley is a beautiful oasis valley with many natural rock pools and small waterfalls. The brave can cliff dive into the natural pools, when there is enough water (during winter months). Other areas have cafes in the shallow water, where you can cool off with refreshment. You have to hike in from the mountain road, where visitors have to park where there is space. Wear sturdy footwear, as it can get very slippery.
The road from Agadir is spectacular with sections lined with palm trees, while other sections offer magnificent views over the valley and the Atlas mountains.

Tafraoute is a cute oasis town close to the Painted Rocks. It's beautifully nested in a valley with panoramic views of the Anti-Atlas mountains. The spectacular winding journey to get here is half the adventure. And though it's hard to reach, a steady stream of campervans find their way here, meaning there are plenty of cafes, hotels and camping.

The road trip from Marrakech over the Atlas mountains along N9 is one pretty journey. At first it's all flat farmland and monotone villages, but with snowcapped mountains in the horizon. Eventually, you wind your way through hairpin bends up the Atlas mountains with new panoramic views at almost every turn. The road is in excellent condition and stand in sharp contrast to the mostly scruffy villages you pass on the way. There will be plenty of crystal sellers showing their goods along the way. The road trip literally peaks at Morocco's highest road pass, Tizi N'Tichka at 2260 m. From that point it's just down hill through more spectacular sceneries before it smooth out in the stony desert. The road will eventually lead to great sights as Ait Benhaddou and further afield Todra Gorge, Zizi Gorges, and the sand dunes at Zagora (small ones), Merzouga (bigger ones), or M'Hamid (biggest ones).

Todra Gorge is a spectacular narrow gorge in orange limestone. Some sections are so narrow that it looks like the tall gorge walls close in above your head. The gorge is popular with both rock climbers and hikers, but the road trip through (and return) is equally rewarding. A sealed road follows the river bed at the bottom all the way through the gorge and beyond. At about 35 km from Tinghir the gorge ends and the arid landscape opens up and becomes mountainous with snow-covered peaks (in winter). Villages from this point are Berber and mostly made up by adobe houses. This part of the Todra Gorge road trip isn't any less spectacular than the first part through the gorge, just very different with elevated mountain roads and wide views. Along with Dades Gorge, Todra Gorge is one of the best road trips (for 2WD) in whole Morocco - and that tells you something.

The Ziz Gorge is another spectacular gorge in Morocco. Ziz river flows at the bottom, while palm oasis and villages dot the riverbank.
Ziz Gorge is traversed by the smooth and wide N13, which unfortunately will take you through the beautiful gorge too fast. There aren't too many official viewpoints along the road, but there are spaces to park a car/motorcycle here and there.