Motorcycle tour around the Erg Chebbi desert in Merzouga: an unforgettable adventure

August 14, 2025

Imagine yourself on your motorcycle, the engine purring beneath your hands as the desert stretches endlessly around you. The motorcycle tour around the Erg Chebbi Desert in Merzouga is not a simple excursion: it's an experience that will change you. Here, everything is sand, wind, movement. Every curve, every dune, comes with its own story and its own challenge. If you're looking for something that will shake your senses and leave you with an unforgettable experience, this article is for you.

History, legend and geography of the desert

The Erg Chebbi Desert is no ordinary place. It's an ocean of dunes that, at its highest point, reach up to 150 meters in height and stretch some 28 km from north to south and between 5 and 7 km from east to west.

Some also mention 22 km by 5 km, but what is clear is that you get into a spectacular sea of ​​sand ,

This erg is not in the heart of the deep Sahara, but on its edge, a dramatic and visually incredible prelude It is located in the semi-arid pre-Saharan steppes, although its size and beauty lead us to believe otherwise.

Legend explains it in dramatic and poetic terms: it tells of a village that refused to take in a woman and her exhausted children, and at dawn they were buried under a blanket of sand as divine punishment. Since then, their voices can be heard among the dunes at midday .

Merzouga, the nearest village, is the perfect base for this getaway. It's located about 35 km from Rissani , 45 km from Erfoud , and about 60 km from the Algerian border.

In Merzouga and its surroundings, there are several smaller villages with character and charm: Hassilabied, Tanamoust, Takoujt, Khamlia (of Gnawa tradition), Tisserdmine...

The route: what the motorcycle route around the erg includes

The Erg Chebbi tour is a circular route of about 80 to 100 km . It doesn't cross the center of the erg (that's reserved for expert riders or light enduro-type vehicles), but instead skirts it on mixed trails:

• Compact sand tracks

• Sections of dirt and gravel

• Areas with loose sand and small dunes

• Possible paths with stones or soft escarpments

The exact length can vary depending on the season and rainfall, which sometimes opens up temporary lagoons and requires detours. Ideally, this detour allows pilots to enjoy the scenery without the impossible challenge of navigating deep sandy beaches.

Difficulty level and skills required

The route isn't for beginners, but it doesn't require being an enduro gladiator either. It's more a question of technique, composure, and technical common sense . Here's what you'll want to master:

• Control the motorcycle on soft sand , without braking suddenly or losing control.

• Using inertia instead of sudden controls

• Reading the terrain : anticipating soft, compact or unstable areas

• Stay calm: falls are part of it, but it's best to avoid them.

The key is to flow with the desert , not heroically cross it. Technique rules over brute force.

Landscapes and experiences offered by the route

This route isn't just about sand and motors: it's an emotional journey with breathtaking landscapes.

1. Dunes beyond the horizon

To observe the Erg Chebbi from its shores is to see a golden sea that changes color with the light. At dawn and dusk, the beauty becomes palpable and tangible.

2. Encounter with desert life

You are not alone: ​​you may come across nomadic families in their tents , shepherds with dromedaries or goats, tiny oases in lonely acacia trees... Each one is a cultural respite.

3. Fauna and ecosystem

Although it looks inhospitable, the erg is home to fennec foxes, migratory birds at nearby Srij Lake, desert beetles, and more.

4. Srij Lake (Dayet Srij)

Just 2.5 km from Merzouga, this oasis only appears after heavy rains and attracts flamingos and birds, surprising in the middle of the sand,

5. Culture and nights under the stars

Spending the night in Berber tents, enjoying Gnawa music, or simply seeing the unpolluted sky: it's a mystical experience.

Complementary activities in Merzouga and surroundings

If you have more time, here are some additional gems:

• Sunset camel ride and overnight camp under the stars

• Sandboarding on the steepest dunes

• Visit to Khamlia and its Gnawa music

• Explore Rissani and its palm groves and date markets

• Stops in Erfoud (fossil industry) or the palm groves of the Ziz Valley

• Longer routes that include Zagora, the Todra/Dades gorges or kasbahs such as Aït Ben Haddou,

Environmental conditions and when to go

• Extreme but beautiful weather : summer temperatures up to 50°C , cold at night even in winter up to 5°C.

• Low rainfall , between 28 and 129 mm per year , but rain or storms can cause severe flooding (as in 2006)

• Recommended months : March to May and September to November. Outside of the extreme summer and mild winter.

Recommended equipment and technical preparation

Ideal motorcycle:

• Lightweight trail bikes like the Tenere 700, KTM 690, CRF300, or similar. More intuitive handling.

• Maxitrails (BMW GS, Africa Twin) are also suitable, but with greater technical demands on sand.

Personal equipment:

• Helmet with visor or goggles, off-road gloves, sturdy boots.

• Hydration (backpack with at least 2 L), buff, sunscreen.

• Basic tools, puncture repair kit, charged GPS/mobile phone, extra battery.

Technical tips:

• Low tire pressure if the motorcycle allows it.

• Avoid sudden braking: better engine braking.

• Get off your bike if it gets stuck in deep sand.

Distance, logistics and times

• From Marrakech : about 9–10 hours by car (almost 560 km with stops).

• From Fez : between 7–8 hours (approx. 470 km) Ideal plan: arrive in Merzouga in the afternoon, rest, and then do the circular route the next day. Or extend it to two days to savor each section.

WIKILOC TRACK : ERG CHEBBI MOTORCYCLE ROUTE

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