There are many different ways to explore Morocco but one of the best is certainly by car. Hiring a vehicle gives you the flexibility to choose your route and Morocco is a great place for a road trip. Big open spaces, quiet roads, big skies and big views further reinforce this fact. Morocco is approximately twice the size of the UK so don't underestimate the distances involved. The country's motorway system is limited to connecting the big cities so be warned that travelling through most of the country you'll be making slow progress. Perhaps the most classic area for a road trip is the region to the south of the High Atlas Mountains. A week from Marrakech will allow you to traverse the mountains, visit the gorges (Dades and Todra), arrive at the foot of the dunes of Merzouga, drive back along the lower road to the Draa Valley and back over the mountains to Marrakech. Two weeks in this area will allow you to incorporate a foray into the stunning Anti Atlas Mountains - based around Tafraoute - as well as some time to explore the coast between Agadir and Essaouira before returning to Marrakech. Further north there are more excellent road trips to be enjoyed. From Marrakech you can drive up through the unpopulated Middle Atlas Mountains, taking in the towns of Immouzer, Sefrou, Azrou and Ifrane before exploring the Imperial cities of Fez and Meknes. At the same time you can visit the Roman ruins of Volubilis before returning back to Marrakech taking in Rabat and the Atlantic Coast en route. This trip will easilyoccupy two weeks of your time. For shorter trips in the region you'd be advised to start in Fez and drive out from there. Further north still, the Rif Mountains, home to Morocco's prettiest town, Chefchaouen, can be combined with Tangiers and the attractive coastal towns of Asilah and Larache. Most of these trips can be negotiated with a normal car but if your budget will strech to the hire of a 4x4 vehicle then a whole wealth of interesting possibilities open up. The High and Middle Atlas Mountains are home to an extensive network of dirt roads which offer the visitor a glimpse of the real Morocco, relatively untouched by modernity. Michelin maps show some (but not all) dirt roads and can be helpful for finding your way around the country. Epic Morocco can arrange car hire and give you advice on choosing the right itinerary, so please don't hesitate to get in touch if you have an enquiry of this nature. |
