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 MoroccoH3 Leaving Ism Souk for the high crossingH3 Breather on the Zerkane colCafe Louta in TilmiChilly but cozy auberge near Bou AzmouH1 near TiliwineImilchil, start of H4H3 Nearing the Zerkane colTilmiOn the watershed at 2963mLast few chilly miles to Bou AzmouJob done. Enjoy the H.A.T!A shot of v-fuel in AnerguiH1 Jebel RhatOver the newly surfaced OuanoH3 This high trail goes on for 65kmH3 Hidden valley on the Zerkane crossingH2 Looking down on the old Demnate roadH2 Lunch on the Demnate roadH1 Ait QallaBob & a mosqueTizi n Test KM0. The H.A.T lays before usNew road finished east of ZerkaneH3 First 3000-m colTTR still breathing at 11,000′H1 Ait Qalla plateau
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 😉
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