Maxitrail Route through the Rif and Talassemtane National Park: Extreme Adventure in Northern Morocco

June 14, 2025

If you dream of exploring impossible trails, deep blue mountains, ancient cedar forests, and villages frozen in time, the Maxi Trail route through the Rif and Talassemtane National Park is for you. This experience combines the best of off-roading with Berber culture, the rugged landscapes of northern Morocco, and the pleasure of riding a maxi trail through a territory as beautiful as it is little explored. Get ready for an adventure that will test your technique, your equipment, and your sense of wonder.

Why choose a maxi-trail route through the Rif?

The Rif is one of Morocco's most unknown mountain ranges, but also one of its most spectacular. Its winding roads, vertiginous ravines, and lush vegetation provide ideal terrain for maxi-trail bikes like the BMW R1250GS, Yamaha Ténéré 700, KTM 890 Adventure, or Africa Twin.

Unlike southern Morocco, the Rif has a mountainous and humid character. Here, the challenges aren't the dunes, but the broken tracks, morning fogs, muddy mountain passes, and forgotten paths between cedars and beech trees. It's a paradise for those seeking an authentic and challenging adventure.

Technical information for the Rif - Talassemtane Maxitrail route

• Ideal duration : 3 to 5 days

• Total distance : 350 to 500 km (depending on variants)

• Terrain type : 60% mountain track / 40% secondary road

• Difficulty : Medium-high (during the rainy season it can become very technical)

• Maximum altitude : 2,100 m (Jbel Lakraa)

• Recommended season : From April to June and from September to November

• Highlights : Chefchaouen, Jbel Lakraa, Akchour, Bab Taza, Talassemtane waterfalls, Berber villages.

Day 1: Departure from Tetouan and arrival in Chefchaouen via tracks

The first day begins in Tetouan, the gateway to the Rif for those arriving by ferry to Tangier. After leaving the city on paved roads, we soon take tracks into the mountains. Technical climbs, rocky stretches, and breathtaking views of the Mediterranean lead us to Chefchaouen, the blue city.

Chefchaouen is a must-see. Its cobalt-blue medina is a visual and cultural spectacle. Take advantage of the opportunity to sleep in a traditional riad and recharge for what's to come.

Points of interest :

• Medina of Chefchaouen

• Ras El Ma Viewpoint

• Uta el-Hammam Square

Day 2: Chefchaouen - Akchour - Talassemtane - Bab Taza

This stage is probably the most intense. We leave Chefchaouen early and take a trail to Akchour, a small village nestled in the valley. From there, we access one of the most popular routes in Talassemtane National Park.

The trail to Jbel Lakraa (the highest mountain in the park) is challenging: loose rocks, slippery areas, and very narrow stretches that wind through the trees. The reward is the views of the Rif Mountains and forest-covered ravines.

At the end of the day, we descend to Bab Taza, a village surrounded by terraced fields and hospitable people. Here you can sleep in a gîte d'étape or even camp nearby.

Key points :

• Akchour Waterfalls

• Talassemtane forest trails

• Cedar and fir forests

• Jbel Lakraa

Day 3: Bab Taza – Ketama – Targuist

The route to Ketama is legendary, although it's worth mentioning that it's an area famous for kif (cannabis) cultivation. It's important to drive discreetly and avoid unnecessary stops. The views are breathtaking, and the landscapes unfold between rugged mountains.

From Ketama, we head south toward Targuist on alternate trails and unpaved roads. This day combines highly technical sections with smoother, more enjoyable stretches, ideal for testing the suspension of your maxi-trail.

Targuist offers simple accommodations and is a good place to refuel and perform basic maintenance on your bike.

Day 4: Targuist – Bab Berred – Chefchaouen

On the last day, we hit the trails again toward Bab Berred, passing through less-traveled areas and almost forgotten villages. The trails here are fast, with gravel sections and blind corners, ideal for enjoying if you have good bike control.

From Bab Berred we descended again to Chefchaouen, thus closing the circle of this trailer expedition through the Rif and Talassemtane.

Local Gastronomy: Eating Like a Riffian

During the route, it is mandatory to try:

• Kefta tagine with eggs : hearty and perfect after a busy day.

• Harira : traditional soup ideal for breakfast on the road.

• Berber bread : baked in clay, served with olive oil and honey.

• Moroccan tea : never missing, and always served with a smile.

Recommended equipment for this Maxitrail route

• Prepared maxitrail motorcycle (protections, crankcase guard, mixed tires)

• GPS with track loaded (ideally in GPX format)

• High boots and technical clothing with good ventilation

• Basic spare parts (camera, levers, bulbs)

• Tools and portable compressor

• Water filter or water purification tablets

• Assistance insurance valid in Morocco

Accommodation en route: Hotel or bivouac?

Although you can stay in hotels and hostels throughout the entire route (around €15-25 per night), if you're looking for pure adventure, there are some ideal camping areas:

• By the river in Akchour

• Near the Lakraa cedar forest

• In the surroundings of Bab Taza

Sleeping under the stars in the Rif is an unforgettable experience.

Key tips for flying in the Rif

1. Low tire pressure for greater traction.

2. Don't trust the weather : even if you're in Africa, it rains and can be cold at altitude.

3. Do not travel at night , especially on the slopes.

4. Bring cash : There aren't many ATMs and cards aren't accepted in many places.

5. Learn some basic Arabic or Berber words : a simple “shukran” (thank you) can open many doors.

Security in the Ketama area

The Ketama area is safe if you drive through without stopping too long. Although it's famous for its cannabis cultivation, locals know that motorcycle travelers aren't there for that business. Just drive respectfully, don't take compromising photos, and continue on your way.

Alternatives to the route: More days? More trails?

If you have more days, you can extend the route to:

• Oued Laou , to touch the sea.

• Taza and the Middle Atlas , if you want to combine Rif and Atlas.

• Fez , to connect with other routes such as the Middle Atlas truck route.

A maxi-trail, a mountain range, and the trip of your life

The Rif and Talassemtane maxi-trail is a hidden gem. It's perfect for those who have already explored southern Morocco and are looking for a new challenge. There are no dunes or desert here: there are endless forests, mountain villages, endless curves, and the wildest essence of deep Morocco.

If you love adventure, if you want to feel truly away from it all, and if you want an experience that combines technical riding, local culture, and picture-postcard landscapes... then your next maxi-trail route is in the Rif.

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