Beginning again in the vibrant city of Marrakech, the route will head straight into the mountains and quickly give riders a taste of what’s to come. We’ll see the return of the infamous Telouet Pass, a rough ascent culminating in a hike down an old mule track into CP1.

Upon reaching Telouet, riders will encounter the remnants of the once-grand Glaoui family Kasbah, a reminder of Morocco’s colonial past. From CP1, riders will venture east on a short section of tarmac before heading off-road again through the picturesque red earth villages near Anmiter. They’ll ride past Ouarzazate’s impressive power station, a striking beacon visible from miles away. Imassine marks a key point of resupply for riders to get hot food and stock up on snacks before heading into the next wild and remote section.

There may be some pushing to make it to the summit of the plateau but once up there, it’s well worth the effort. This old colonial piste, built atop a network of canyons is sure to be one of the highlights of the race. After navigating their way down from the plateau, riders will eventually reach the oasis at Tizgui, where the resident, Omar, is known for welcoming riders with tea. From there riders will be on their way to Taznakht, another key resupply point before reaching CP2 in the lush palm oasis of Aguinane.

After Aguinane comes the iconic Colonial Road, a section of the course that hardly needs describing. The pictures speak for themselves. The final stretch will see riders back over the Atlas Mountains before heading north along the coast to the port town of Essaouira.