A new adventure travel route, the Trans Morocco Trail, has launched, offering explorers the chance to experience Morocco’s diverse landscapes through a 3,000-kilometer self-guided route. The trail runs from the Mediterranean port of Nador to Cap Draa on the Atlantic coast and is free to download. The route is designed for independent cyclists, motorcyclists, and 4×4 drivers, providing an immersive experience across the Rekkam Plateau, the High Atlas Mountains, and the Sahara Desert.
Created by overland expert and guide Chris Scott (yes, that Chris Scott, author of Sahara Overland, Adventure Motorcycling Handbook (‘AMH’), Overlanders’ Handbook and Morocco Overland) and motorbike enthusiast Ed Gill, the trail allows adventurers to navigate remote areas using digital navigation devices. (Editors note, I have explored a portion of this route in my Defender, and it was the highlight of my North African journey, a relative stone’s throw from Europe!).
The trail’s first segment, stretching 2,400 kilometers from the Merzouga sand dunes to the Atlantic coast, launches on October 1, marking the start of the Saharan travel season. A second segment, 600 kilometers from Nador to Merzouga, will be available by January 2025, completing the entire route. Using Google My Maps, the trail provides detailed points of interest, including fuel stops and accommodations, which can be used with popular smartphone navigation apps or converted to GPX format for other platforms.
Chris Scott said,
“Modern technology now enables independently-mobile adventure tourists to safely visit overlooked parts of the country few others see, following traffic-free backroads and regular village access tracks. As Morocco’s tourist industry continues to grow strongly, our hope is to encourage interest away from crowded hotspots via independent travel and so spread tourism’s economic benefits more widely.”
The trail has been developed after years of exploration, allowing adventurers to download the route for free at transmoroccotrail.org. Both creators, Scott and Gill, are seasoned travelers with extensive experience in North Africa. Scott, a prominent figure in Moroccan adventure travel, has made over 50 trips to the region, leading motorbike tours across the country. Gill, an experienced motorcyclist who has traveled across 46 countries, is noted for his solo rides through Morocco, Tunisia, and other regions.
Ed Gill explained the allure of this trail, stating,
“The Trans Morocco Trail brings together our experience and passion for exploring Morocco’s wild places, whether by four wheel drive, adventure motorcycle or mountain bike, all of which can be easily rented in Marrakech. But it’s also about bringing the opportunities and challenges of self-reliant, independent adventure travel to a broader group of people.”
In November, Ed Gill will return to Morocco to map the Nador-to-Merzouga section of the trail, focusing on the remote Rekkam Plateau. This area, also known as Morocco’s “Empty Quarter,” remains largely uncharted, and Gill’s work will help complete the Trans Morocco Trail’s comprehensive route.
Read More: SUV, Van and Pick-Up Camping Conversion Kits :: Buyers Guide
Our No Compromise Clause: We do not accept advertorial content or allow advertising to influence our coverage, and our contributors are guaranteed editorial independence. Overland International may earn a small commission from affiliate links included in this article. We appreciate your support.
