View across the historic Fes medina and tanneries

North-East Morocco

Fes and the Roads South

The northern bookend, and the doorway to the cedar forests.

Fes is the least motorcycle-focused stop on most Morocco itineraries and one of the more rewarding. The medina — Fes el-Bali — is the largest car-free urban area of its kind anywhere, which by definition means you are not riding through it. What makes Fes matter to a rider is its position: it is the natural northern turning point, and the road south of it climbs almost immediately into the Middle Atlas.

A day off the bike

Fes is one of the few places on a Morocco route where a rest day genuinely improves the trip. The medina takes hours to make sense of, the tanneries and workshops are still working rather than staged, and the alternative is a long transfer day. Most well-planned itineraries build in a night or two here.

The cedar road south

Leaving Fes towards Ifrane and Azrou, the landscape changes faster than anywhere else in the country. Within an hour you are in cedar forest at altitude, with Barbary macaques at the roadside and a road surface that would not look out of place in the Jura. It is the least 'Moroccan-looking' riding in Morocco and a genuine surprise for first-time visitors.

Position in a route

Fes only makes sense on itineraries that cross the country rather than loop from Marrakech. On a north-to-south route it is the pivot: cities and green hills behind you, Middle Atlas plateau and then desert ahead. On a Marrakech-based loop it is usually too far to justify.

Getting in and out

The approach roads are ordinary national highways and the traffic around the newer city is heavy at peak times. Parking a loaded bike near the medina requires planning — most riads have an arrangement, and it is worth confirming before arriving rather than circling with luggage.

Good to know

Confirm secure parking with your accommodation before arriving — the medina edge is congested
The road south to Ifrane climbs quickly; temperatures drop noticeably within an hour
Macaques on the cedar road stop in the carriageway — slow down through the forest sections
Winter can bring snow around Ifrane, which surprises riders expecting a hot country

Duration

One full day off the bike is the norm. Two nights makes the medina worthwhile without rushing.

Best time to travel

Spring and autumn. Summer is hot in the city, and the cedar plateau south of it can be genuinely cold in winter.

On the road

Tour gallery

Adventure motorcycle on a winding road through Morocco's High Atlas Mountains

Motorcycle in a lantern-lit street in Marrakech

Motorcycle Tours

Related motorcycle tours

Adventure motorcycle riding a coastal road above Morocco's Atlantic cliffs

10 Days

10-Day Grand Morocco Motorcycle Tour

Casablanca→Marrakech

Middle Atlas cedar roadsHigh Atlas passesDesert pistes

A sweeping north-to-south motorcycle journey from Casablanca to Marrakech through Fes, the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas, the Ziz Valley and the Sahara. After a full desert day at Erg Chebbi, ride west through Todra and Dades, Ouarzazate and Ait Benhaddou before crossing the High Atlas. The final route, pace and riding level are confirmed with you before booking.

≈ 1,450–1,600 km10-Day Grand Morocco Tour

Flexible (10-day example shown)

Custom Motorcycle Tour from Casablanca

Casablanca→Flexible

Your choice — coast, Atlas, desert or cities

A private Moroccan motorcycle journey built around your dates, riding experience and the landscapes you most want to see. The ten-day example below runs from Casablanca to Marrakech through Chefchaouen, Fes, the Middle Atlas, the Sahara at Merzouga and the kasbah valleys, with rest days built in. We can shorten it, extend it or start from another city.

≈ 1,650–1,800 kmCustom Tour from Casablanca

Keep exploring

Frequently asked questions

Can you ride into the Fes medina?

No — Fes el-Bali is essentially car-free and navigating it on a bike is neither permitted in most parts nor practical. Park at the edge and explore on foot; that is the whole point of the place.

Is Fes worth a rest day on a motorcycle tour?

On a cross-country route, yes. It is one of the few stops where getting off the bike genuinely adds to the trip rather than interrupting it, and it breaks up what would otherwise be several long transfer days in a row.

What is the riding like immediately south of Fes?

Surprisingly Alpine. The climb to Ifrane and Azrou takes you into cedar forest at altitude with good tarmac and sweeping curves — a complete contrast to the desert sections later in the same trip.

Want these in one trip?

We combine destinations into multi-day routes — from a short coast and Atlas loop to a Grand Morocco expedition.

Plan a Custom Tour Browse the tours