The Imperial North: Mountains, History & The Blue City
6 to 7 Days of History, Mountains, and the Blue City
The Wild Nomadic Ride “Imperial North” tour is a journey of extreme contrasts. From the chaotic energy of Marrakech to the sacred silence of the Rif Mountains, this circuit is designed for riders who crave both technical twisties and deep cultural immersion.
Ride through ancient cedar forests, skirt the shores of turquoise giant lakes, and lose yourself in the blue-washed alleys of Chefchaouen. This tour bridges thirteen centuries of Moroccan history, visiting the UNESCO-listed Imperial cities of Fes and Meknes while conquering the best motorcycling roads in the country.
THE ITINERARY
Day 1: Marrakech – Bin El Ouidane
- Distance: 289 km | Duration: 8h
Your Wild Nomadic Ride begins by escaping the Marrakech traffic toward the “Happy Valley” of Ait Bouguemez. This route on the northern slope of the High Atlas is breathtaking, featuring canyons, alpine meadows, and passes reaching 2,631m. We descend toward the emerald waters of Lake Bin El Ouidane to spend our first night in a beautiful Riad by the Oued Âbid.
Day 2: Bin El Ouidane – Khenifra
- Distance: 225 km | Duration: 6h
A high-altitude day with no fewer than 5 mountain passes! We ride along the ridge lines at an average of 1,500m. The scenery is a living postcard: multi-colored soils ranging from chalky white to deep ochre, dotted with remote shepherd huts. We finish the day in Khenifra, in the heart of the Middle Atlas, for a quiet night by the pool.
Day 3: Khenifra – Fes
- Distance: 185 km | Duration: 4-5h
A bucolic ride through cedar forests and highland pastures. Keep an eye out for the Barbary Macaques—these wild monkeys often come right up to the bikes! We then arrive in Fes, the spiritual heart of Morocco. You have the afternoon to explore the 9,000 alleys of the medieval Fes Medina, a world of unexpected wonders.
Day 4: Fes – Chefchaouen
- Distance: 205 km | Duration: 6h
One of the most scenic riding days! We head into the Rif Mountains, passing ancient water mills and rivers where locals still wash laundry by hand. After a lunch break at Lake Al Wahda (the largest in Morocco), we ride the winding roads down to Chefchaouen. This “Blue City” built into the mountainside offers a peaceful, surreal atmosphere for our evening stay.
Day 5: Chefchaouen – Meknes
- Distance: 273 km | Duration: 7-8h
We climb back into the mountain ridges before descending toward the imperial city of Meknes. You can choose between the scenic mountain-lake route or a visit to the Roman ruins of Volubilis, the ancient capital of the Kingdom of Mauretania. We end the day in a Riad ranked among the most beautiful in the city, located deep within the Meknes Medina.
Day 6: Meknes – Ouzoud
- Distance: 344 km | Duration: 8h
A big riding day! We cross the agricultural heartlands toward Oulmes, the capital of Morocco’s sparkling water. The route is a feast of curves and hairpins as we climb back into the mountains. We finish our day at the spectacular Ouzoud Waterfalls, where you can stand at the edge of the 110-meter drop.
Day 7: Ouzoud – Marrakech
- Distance: 249 km | Duration: 6h
The final leg takes us along the foothills of the High Atlas. We ride through “Roupistes”—roads that are returning to dirt tracks due to the wild mountain weather. These red laterite paths offer a final thrill of off-road adventure before we dive back into the vibrant energy of Marrakech.
🛡️ The Wild Nomadic Ride Signature
- Expert Logistics: Seamless transitions between rugged trails and luxury Riads.
- Cultural Depth: Local insights into Berber and Imperial history.
- Pure Riding: A focus on the most winding, scenic secondary roads in North Africa.
Ready to explore the Imperial North? Connect with WILD NOMADIC RIDE to secure your spot!