Gravel in Morocco | DBP x R26
Gravel. Mountains. Network.
Join DBP Adventures and R26 on a unique adventure in Morocco. A place where jeep tracks and mountain roads, together with breathtaking landscapes, are part of an experience that goes far beyond the cycling itself.
This networking trip to Marrakech, the Agafay Desert and the Atlas Mountains is a bucket list experience like no other – for all gravel enthusiasts!
We start in Marrakech and make our way towards the Agafay Desert. After a short but amazing day on the bike, an afternoon and evening at a luxury Bedouin camp awaits. A magical first encounter with Moroccan culture.
From here, the adventure continues into the Atlas Mountains, where we spend two nights in the Ouirgane Valley – one of the most beautiful spots in the area. Here you can choose between an additional varied gravel ride or joining an incredible hike around Toubkal. The hike ends in the town of Imlil, often called Morocco’s “Chamonix”.
On the last day of the trip, you can choose between heading back to Marrakech early or taking on the Queen Stage – a challenging and unforgettable way to round off the adventure.
What awaits you is a varied, challenging and truly magical gravel experience with plenty of time in nature, without the stages getting too long.
Along the way, we ride some of the most stunning jeep tracks and light singletrack – perfect gravel terrain. Our local guides not only ensure safe and well-chosen routes, but also open the door to the local culture, which we approach with respect and curiosity. In collaboration with R26.
Will you join?
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4 nights at various accommodations (shared double room)
Breakfast, lunch and 3 x dinner
Local transport with 4×4 assistance
Local guides and drivers
Scandinavian guides
3 networking events in Denmark with info and group training
Flights
Single room (add-on)
Bike rental if needed (add-on)
Drinks with dinners
Goodbye dinner in Marrakech
Tips for local guides and drivers
Spending money for coffee along the way
Other individual add-ons
Marrakech → Agafay → Atlas Mountains
Morocco is a country full of contrasts. From Marrakech’s colourful medina and vibrant energy, we head out into the open landscapes of the Agafay Desert and onwards towards the green valleys and raw mountain passes of the Atlas Mountains.
It’s exactly this variation that makes the trip so special. Every day brings new impressions, new scents and new horizons.
Weather in October:
October is a perfect time to experience Morocco by gravel bike. Daytime temperatures in Marrakech and the Agafay Desert typically sit around 22–28°C, while the Atlas Mountains tend to be a little cooler. Perfect for active cycling and hiking. Evenings can be fresh, especially in the mountains, and the risk of rain is generally low.
We spend the night in a luxury Bedouin camp in the middle of the desert. Comfort and authenticity come together with stylish tents, a pool and atmospheric communal areas – an unforgettable experience under the stars.
In the Atlas Mountains, we stay at Domaine la Roseraie – a peaceful retreat surrounded by mountains, olive groves and rose gardens. Here you can enjoy the spa, relax and recover after the day’s adventures.
The trip ends with a night in Marrakech, where there’s time to explore the city, enjoy the food and round off the adventure together.
Day 1 – Arrival & Desert Ride
- Transfer from airport to bike shop and light lunch on arrival
- Fitting of rental bikes / assembly of personal bikes
- Preparation of personal gear and support vehicles
- Transfer to starting point
- Approx. 2 hours in the saddle on rolling hills towards the Agafay Desert
- Arrival at luxury Bedouin camp
- Relaxation, pool bar, shower and shared Moroccan dinner
ROUTE DETAILS – DESERT RIDE: 27–40 km and approx. 500m elevation. We set off on rolling hills towards the Agafay Desert. Soft sand, heat, strong gusts of wind and smaller climbs are the main challenges of the day.
Day 2 – Into the Atlas
- Breakfast and departure on our bikes
- 5–6 hours in the saddle on gravel roads and jeep tracks
- Picnic lunch along the way
- We move from the desert landscape towards the first climbs of the Atlas Mountains
- Arrival at Domaine la Roseraie & Spa
- Shared dinner
ROUTE DETAILS – INTO THE ATLAS: 65–70 km and approx. 1,400m elevation. From the desert, we turn our wheels towards the mountains. Once the first semi-flat gravel roads are behind us, we start to get a taste of the Atlas Mountains’ challenging climbs.
Day 3 – Gravel, Hiking or Recovery
- Breakfast
- Choose between:
1. Gravel ride in the Ouirgane Valley (approx. 5–6 hours)
2. Hike around Toubkal 3. Relaxation and recovery at the hotel - Picnic lunch along the way
- Afternoon and evening at Domaine la Roseraie
- Shared dinner
ROUTE DETAILS – THE ROAD TO ASNI OR HIKE: 55 km and approx. 1,300m elevation for the gravel ride in the Ouirgane Valley. For those hiking, the day starts with a transfer to Tizi Ouseem, from where you hike to Imlil. The route is 10–12 km with 700–900m elevation.
GRAVEL:
HIKE:
Day 4 – The Queen Stage & Marrakech
- Early breakfast and departure
- Option to head directly to Marrakech
- For the adventurous: The Queen Stage – 5–7 hours of cycling in the mountains
- Picnic lunch along the way
- Transport back to Marrakech
- Hotel check-in
- Shared farewell dinner in Marrakech
ROUTE DETAILS – THE QUEEN STAGE: 75 km and approx. 1,600m elevation. A climb of just under 3.5 km, followed by beautiful roads through apple orchards, Berber villages and the Moroccan landscape, leading up to the day’s big challenge – a climb of almost 20 km. After this ultimate test of strength, a long and rewarding descent of nearly 20 km awaits, before we make our way to Marrakech in our jeeps.
Day 5 – Departure
- Breakfast
- Transfer to the airport
- Home bound with a bag full of memories and new connections
It feels like you’re on top of the world when you’re standing on a mountain peak! And that’s exactly how it felt from start to finish on this trip – 100% bang for the buck and an adventure for life! A superambitious programme that let us experience the very best Morocco has to offer: incredible cycling terrain in the mountains and desert, optimal routes and – not least – stunning surroundings, glamping in the desert and amazing oases in the mountains. The trip exceeded all my expectations and I will definitely be back. A thousand thanks for an incredible experience. Highly recommended!
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An experience like no other – a cultural cycling experience.
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