Atlas Etape
1 Day Road Bike From 100.00 €
Level: Sportive
Activity : Road bike ¦ A day cycling the Berber Valleys of the Atlas Mountains
Assistance : Guided & full support
Period : January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December
Activity : Road bike ¦ A day cycling the Berber Valleys of the Atlas Mountains
Assistance : Guided & full support
Level : Sportive
Period : January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December
The Marrakech Atlas Etape is one of the newer sportives in the world – the first was in 2013. Marrakech Atlas Etape is an annual cyclosportive that takes place every last weekend of April. Starting from the exotic city of Marrakech up to the ski-resort high in the Atlas Mountains and back down again. It is an inclusive event with no aggressive broom wagon. The full ascent will challenge the serious amateur or professional, plus the determined and passionate, and there are several routes to suit all abilities: 60 km and 140 km
The Purpose:
The Atlas Etape is organized by founders of the charity Education For All, a charity involved in raising funds to help educate young girls in the Atlas Mountains since 2007. While the Marrakech Atlas Etape is a challenging ride in one of the most beautiful regions of North Africa, the intention is that it will also generate income to help less fortunate members of the community—and what better charity to support than Education For All?
More information can be found on the EFA website: www.efamorocco.org & www.marrakech-atlas-etape.com
Ourika / Ooukaimden
60-kilometre route
Marrakech to the Ourika Valley.
30 km out and 30 km back. 365 m of altitude gain:
Route description
This route leaves from the southern edge of Marrakech at 495 m and heads south, following a very gentle gradient (average of 1.25%) for 29 km to the start of the Ourika Valley at an altitude of 860 m. Spectacular views of the snow-capped Atlas Mountains should be seen throughout this gentle rise to the start of The Ourika Valley. The return is a fast gentle decent back to Marrakech. This route is achievable by almost anybody who has reasonable fitness and wants to be involved in this event.
140-kilometre route
Marrakech to Oukaïmeden.
70 km out and 70 km back. 2129 m of altitude gain
Route description
This route leaves from the southern edge of Marrakech at 49 5m and heads south, following a very gentle gradient (average 1.25%) for some 29 km to the start of the Ourika valley at an altitude of 860 m. Spectacular views of the snow-capped Atlas Mountains should be seen throughout this gentle rise to the start of the Ourika Valley. The route then follows the Ourika valley for 11 km to where the road branches out of the valley (975 m) and the main climb to Oukaïmeden begins. The next 30 km of the course will raise 1649 m (average gradient 5.49%) to the ski station at 2624 m.
The physical and human scenery on this section of the course really is awe inspiring as the road snakes its way ever higher passing the villages and terraced fields of the Berbers of the High Atlas. The route back to Marrakech is almost all downhill and the views truly spectacular.
For mor information please visit: https://www.marrakech-atlas-etape.com/
Trip dates & Prices
Good to know
This tour is available for private groups only, the tour can start with 2 participants. We can offer a personalized program for bigger groups or cyclists who wish a more challanging ride or any specific requests.
The Area
This tour takes starts 35 km south of Marrakech Between Ourika and Asni on the northern side of the Atlas Mountains and the Toubkal Range between 700m m and 1800m high.
Your Guide
A Moroccan cycling, english speaking, guide who will meet you at your hotel and stay with you the whole day. Before the cycling stage, he will give you a briefing about safety and the use of your bike. All along the day, he will give you explanations about the traversed area and the way of life of the local population. He can also assit you in case of injury or mechanic issues on your bike.
Your Bike
If you chose one of our road bike rental options, your bike will be in perfect working condition, it will come with a helmet and standard pedals. If you use SPD pedals, please let us know upon booking.
The food
You won't have to worry on food or drink, we take care of everything. Mineral water will be supplied all day with a mix of dry fruits to refuel. For lunch we will organize an authentic stop at a Berber family house in the middle of a mountain village.
Assistance
You will have a full back up during this cycling day tour. A minibus, with a bike rack, will be following behind at a reasonable distance in case of emergency or tiredness.
Non cyclists
Are you a family, your spouse, your husband doesn’t cycle? Non cyclists are welcome on this tour, they can stay with assistnce car and do short rambles, sightsee ...
What's Included
• Entrance fees for the etape
• Dry fruits & Water
• Lunch at the top of Oukaimden
What's not Included
• Bike + Helmet and personal equipment
• Insurance (assistance & cancellation)
