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4 wheel drive & quad bikes

The rugged terrain and enormous contrasts between desert, beach and mountain make off-road travel well suited to getting the most out of Morocco.

Though many of the main roads are good quality, there are large areas of the country that are only accessible by 4-wheel-drive or quad bike, on horseback or on foot. Some form of off-road vehicle is undoubtedly the best way to take in as much as possible of the spectacular countryside.

Rallying

Morocco hosts some of the greatest international automotive competitions: the Paris-Dakar and Atlas rallies. Enthusiasts can choose from a tremendous number of challenges, over thousands of miles of track.

Camel trekking

Though it may not be the most comfortable means of seeing the country, a ride on a camel is undoubtedly the most romantic and a ‘must’ on many a visitor’s list.

There are a number of possibilities for camel treks (méharrées), from a day’s outing to a two-week expedition. The best time of year for camel trekking is September to February.

The most popular camel-trekking bases are the Drâa Valley, (Tinfou and Zagora); M’Hamid; and the Erg Chebbi sand dunes at Merzouga, on the edge of the Sahara desert, 30 miles (50km) south of Erfoud.

You can also travel the ancient trans-Saharan camel caravan trade route from Marrakech to Rissani. The trip, with desert Berbers, combines the use of Land Rover and camel and takes 12 days.

Hiking and Trekking

Various trekking tours can be organised through the Moroccan National Tourist Office. Specialist tour operators offer a variety of guided treks and camping trips.

One of the most popular treks in the High Atlas is from the picturesque village of Imlil up Jbel Toubkal (6668ft / 4167m), North Africa’s highest peak. The Toubkal area is about an hour’s drive from Marrakech.

Official mountain guides with mules are recommended for trips lasting longer than one day; guides are widely available in Imlil. Accommodation is provided in refuges, gîtes (resting places) and small hotels along popular trails. Trekking is possible all year round, but the best time is from April to October. The canyons and gorges are best tackled from June to October (in summer, storms can make the gorges impassable).

The mountains and foothills of Morocco are perfect for hiking, cycling, rock climbing, and camping. The country boasts four mountain ranges, with a dozen summits over 13,000 feet (4,000m) and 400 over 10,000 feet (3,000m).

Despite being rugged and wildly beautiful, the Moroccan mountain ranges are well organised for hikers, with qualified guides and monitors available and a network of stopovers. In many places, too, you can find mules and mountain bikes for hire. To reach your starting point, you can hire a four wheel drive, take a collective taxi or a bus.

For something even more adventurous, you can sample mule or camel trekking - either along the coast or through the dunes.

Horse Riding

If Arab and Berber traditions share one thing in common it is a love of the horse. Riding is still very popular in Morocco today and the country’s horses are superb.

Whether it is galloping across the white sand beaches of the Plage Blanche, cantering through a Waddi of date trees in the Draâ Valley, or riding across the Erg Chebbi dunes, there is no better way to experience Morocco than on horseback. It is an experience that you will remember for the rest of your life.

he awe-inspiring landscapes around the town of Tetouan make horse riding in this area a must.

Hire horses in Ad'Dakhla and set out across the dunes or along a 35-mile stretch of unspoiled beach.

From Ouarzazate, you can trek into the Drâa and Dadès Valleys, explore the Kasbah Trail or take in the magnificent landscapes of the surrounding sub-Saharan region. You can also visit the national stud farm, at Meknès.