3 Days/ 2 Nights
Trade the bustle of Marrakech for three days of exhilarating mountain biking through the Toubkal Massif — North Africa's rooftop. This ride takes you along ancient Berber trails, through terraced gardens and adobe villages, past the shimmering waters of Lake Lalla Takerkoust, and up to the windswept Kik Plateau at 2,300 metres. The landscapes shift with every pedal stroke: ochre earth, green barley fields flecked with poppies, and snow-dusted Atlas peaks on the horizon. It's Morocco at its most raw and spectacular.
Tour Highlights
Starting time 9
Moderate
Your guide meets you at 8am and you leave the city behind, driving 25km to the foothills of the High Atlas. At Lake Lalla Takerkoust, you saddle up and begin climbing through the village of Taghenchoute towards the Kik Plateau, perched between 1,100m and 2,300m. The reward at the top is a jaw-dropping panorama of Mount Toubkal, North Africa's highest peak. The plateau itself is a canvas that shifts with the seasons — ochre furrows in autumn, snow-brushed in winter, emerald and poppy-red in spring, and golden at harvest time. From here, you descend through terraced gardens and traditional adobe villages to the town of Asni, before transferring to the Imlil Valley for the night.
Dinner and overnight at a comfortable guesthouse in the Imlil . Cycling: 32km | Ascent: 1,047m | Descent: 580m
After breakfast, you drive back to the Asni Valley and begin with a gentle warm-up on flat ground — enjoy it while it lasts. The day's centrepiece is a long, satisfying climb to the Tadmamt Pass at 1,800m, where the vast Haouz Plain unfolds below you in striking contrast to the imposing Atlas peaks above. The afternoon brings a beautiful ridgeline track overlooking the Ourika Valley, weaving between trails and paths until you arrive at your guesthouse — a peaceful spot surrounded by gardens and terraced crops, typical of this stunning valley.
Dinner and overnight at a traditional Berber house. Cycling: 40km | Ascent: 1,120m | Descent: 970m
Your final day is arguably the most spectacular. You climb to the Timenkar Plateau along exposed mountainside trails that thread between the valley's many villages. At 2,450m, you're rewarded with breathtaking views across the High Atlas peaks — a moment worth savouring before the ride's grand finale: a sweeping descent overlooking the upper Ourika Valley, following a mix of singletrack and tracks all the way down to Setti Fatma. Bikes are loaded onto the 4x4 and you transfer back to Marrakech, arriving at your hotel by late afternoon.
Return to Marrakech by 4–5pm. End of service. Cycling: 32km | Ascent: 1,120m | Descent: 970m
This tour is available all year round.
Guest Houses in Imlil and Ourika valley
This is a sportive-grade tour with some demanding climbs, including ascents to 2,450m. You should be comfortable cycling for several hours a day on varied terrain. That said, a support 4x4 follows the group throughout, so you can always hop in if you need a breather.
Mountain bikes and equipment are available to hire locally at around 30–40€ per bike per day. You're welcome to bring your own if you prefer. We recommend a hardtail or full-suspension mountain bike suitable for rocky trails and loose gravel tracks.
This tour runs all year round, though spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are the sweet spots. Spring brings wildflowers and lush green valleys, while autumn offers warm days, clear skies and golden light. Summer rides are best started early to avoid the midday heat, and winter brings cooler temperatures with the chance of snow-capped scenery.
Bring layered cycling kit — mornings at altitude can be chilly, even when Marrakech is warm. We recommend padded cycling shorts, a windproof jacket, sturdy cycling shoes, sunscreen, sunglasses and a refillable water bottle. We provide bottled water throughout the tour.
You'll spend your first night in a comfortable guesthouse in the Imlil Valley, and your second night in a traditional Berber house in the Ourika Valley. Both offer authentic Moroccan hospitality with home-cooked evening meals.
Yes, all our tours are private. It's just you, your group and your English-speaking mountain bike guide — no strangers tagging along. This means we can adjust the pace and stops to suit your group perfectly.