Me, Bob and Simon left Ijoukak, 100km south of Marrakech to recce the High Atlas Traverse. The H.A.T is like the TMT, but follows the mountain watershed via the highest motorable passes, and is now online for all to download for free. Only about 15% overlaps the TMT. Unfortunately the winter of 2025-6 turned into one of the wettest and coldest in Morocco for decades, so with the eastern stages snowed under, it’s unlikely anyone will manage the full until late spring.
I spent the summer tracing possible routes off aerial imagery. Some trails I knew from my M4 book, but about 30% of the tracks were unknown, reaching up over 3300 metres (11,000′), and which may not actually be passable. We were here to find out. Simon was on his ’93 TTR350, I’m on my 250 Serow donkey, and Bob’s on a brand new KTM 390 Enduro R.
H1 Coming into AbdallaWay above the tree line on H3H1 out of IjoukakFuel and coffee break in Aguim (H1)Time to leave the mothershipH3 Zerkane crossingSimon gets mobbed by his TikTok fansH3 The trail sweeps down into DadesH0 near the Tizi n TestHighest through-trail in MoroccoBob & a mosqueH1 near TiliwineTizi n Test KM0. The H.A.T lays before usH3 This high trail goes on for 65kmOver the newly surfaced OuanoH2 Looking down on the old Demnate roadH3 Breather on the Zerkane colH3 Nearing the Zerkane colH3 Hidden valley on the Zerkane crossingH1 Ait Qalla plateauImilchil, start of H4Chilly but cozy auberge near Bou AzmouH1 Jebel RhatH1 Ait QallaH3 Leaving Ism Souk for the high crossingH2 Lunch on the Demnate roadTTR still breathing at 11,000′TilmiJob done. Enjoy the H.A.T!Cafe Louta in TilmiA shot of v-fuel in AnerguiLast few chilly miles to Bou AzmouOn the watershed at 2963mNew road finished east of ZerkaneH3 First 3000-m col
Hello Nadine, what a moto or car can do, so can a sidecar with a bit more effort. As we found it there was nothing that would stop a sidecar.
Accommodation is on the map and great food is everywhere – it’s only Morocco 😉
Trans Morocco Trail 
Leave a comment