MOROCCO
Casablanca - Atlantic Coast - Marrakech
The photos below were taken during a 3 week trip in March 2001.
Starting in Casablanca I cycled south along the Atlantic Coast stopping to visit the towns of Azemmour, Oualidia, Safi and Essaouira. I then turned inland to Marrakech where I stopped for a few days before continuing south east over the High Atlas Mountains to Ait Benhaddou and Ouarzazate.
Totally exhausted and in need of a rest I then took a spectacular bus ride to Agadir for a few days of R and R  before taking a local flight with AIR MAROC back to Casablanca for my return flight to Canada.
To listen to a sample of music from Morocco, click on the guitar.
MOROCCO 2002 Mountains and Desert
 page.
My ROUTE MAP
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MY GUIDE BOOK
Lonely Planet MOROCCO 4th Edition 1998
Located in the Atlantic ocean just a few meters from shore this beautiful structure seems to be floating in the sea at high tide. I'll never forget everyone gasping in awe as they  entered and got thieir first glimpse of the interiour.
MY MAP(S)
Michelin #959 - Morocco
1/1 000 000
1cm = 10 km
MY DAILY COSTS
$46 canadian / day
CASABLANCA
The cities main attraction is the enormous and beautiful Hassan 2 Mosque
This beautiful horseshoe arch and ablution fountain is part of one of the beautiful facades of the mosque.
ACCOMMODATIONS
116 dirhams / day (ave)
(51 dirhams to 200 dirhams / day)
$1 canadian = 6.65 dirhams
$1 usa = 10.36 dirhams
INTERNET RESOURCE(S)
Adventures of Morocco
LonelyPlanet's Thorntree-Morocco
TRAVELOGUES
Steve&Kate BikingMorocco 2007/8
Frederic Hore's Morocco 2006
Anthony Sloan's Morocco. Awesome!!!
Hadrien's OnTheRoadAgain by bike 2006
Jill's MOROCCO Report 2005/6/7
Tanya/Richards MoroccoHighlights 2005
Mountain Biking Tafraoute 2004
Anna and Luke's AfricaByBike 2004
Stephen's Essaouira Adventure 2004
HASSAN 2 MOSQUE
As we entered this holy place everyone gasped in awe as we got our first glimpse of its exquisite interior.
Looking north towards Casablanca. Strong winds along this coast make cycling a challenge.
This was a good spot to give my bike a rest and to contemplate life.
ATLANTIC COAST
This days ride from Oualidia to Safi was awe-inspiring. I even spotted my first camel wandering in the distance over the stony, dry terrain.
ATLANTIC COAST ROAD
This photo was taken between the towns of Safi and Essaouira.
ITINERARY (distances in km's)

I assembled my bike at the airport and cycled 32 km into Casablanca.

From Casablanca, my route took me to;

Azemmour                                                      92
Oualidia                                                            96
Safi                                                                    68
Essaouira                                                      123
Marrakech                                                    179
Touflit                                                               64
Tabourahte par Timdline                           116
Ait Benhaddou and Ouarzazate        20 +22
Agadir (bus + bike; bus station to town) 22
Casablanca ( bike  to airport + plane)     25
A year later going over the same pass I was forced to take a bus because of a snow storm.
HIGH ATLAS MOUNTAINS
Looking back down as I climb to the top of the Tizi'n'Tichka Pass. Once over this pass you descend into the Sahara Desert.
Jimi Hendrix built a house and lived  in the nearby village of Diabat  which subsequently became a dope-smoking hippie colony.
After stopping for refreshments I decided to  spend the rest of the day here enjoying the spectecular views and getting to know the locals.
ESSAOUIRA
Calling itself "Windy City Afrika" this town is very popular with independent travelers, windsurfers and disciples of Jimi Hendrix.
TOUFLIHT
Touflit, a Berber village, in the High Atlas Mountains.
DISTANCES (km)

Total Distance Cycled                                896
Longest Day                                                 179
Shortest Day                                                   22
Number of Cycling Days             12 out of 16
The Koutoubia Mosques minaret is the most famous landmark in the city. It is 70 m. tall and is the first structure that catches your eye as you enter the city walls.
Located in a lush green oasis in the Sahara, I felt like I had  been transported 2000 years back in time.
MARRAKESH
It's spectacular setting againts the High Atlas mountains and its medina surrounded by a red earth wall stay with you long after you leave.
AIT BENHADDOU
This is one of the most exotic and best preserved Kasbahs in Morocco. Many Hollywood films such as Lawrence of Arabia and Jesus of Nazareth were filmed here.
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