Anti-Atlas Mining Circuit
Morocco's forgotten mining frontier
This circuit winds through Morocco’s forgotten mining country where French colonial copper operations carved roads into impossible terrain. Starting from Tazenakht, the route climbs through schist and granite peaks to reach the abandoned Bou Azzer cobalt mines at 6,200 feet elevation. Berber villages like Igherm and Bou Azzer cling to cliffsides, their kasbahs built from the same rose-colored stone that defines this harsh landscape. The technical descent through Wadi Noun tests your line choice as the trail drops 3,000 feet in five miles.
Expert difficulty with exposure, loose rock, and navigation challenges through unmarked mining tracks. Purpose-built expedition vehicle recommended with rock sliders, skid plates, and multiple spare tires. Dry season essential (October-April) as flash floods wash out crossings. No permits but inform local authorities in Tazenakht. Fuel and water in Ouarzazate only. This route reveals Morocco’s industrial archaeology and tests your driving skills against terrain that breaks the unprepared.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Expert |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Rock |
| Features | High Altitude, Historic, Remote, Technical |
| Length (miles) | 142 mi / 229 km |
| Duration | 3-4 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 6200 ft |
| Best season | October-April |
| Minimum vehicle | Expedition-built 4WD |
| Nearest town | Ouarzazate, Morocco |
| Land manager | Regional Government |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a lifted Tacoma or stock Land Cruiser handle this trail?
A stock Land Cruiser is not enough here — this is expedition-built territory. You need a fully built 4WD with skid plates, a locker, recovery gear, and a suspension setup capable of sustained rocky mountain terrain over multiple days. A lifted Tacoma with quality armor and lockers is borderline; underprepared rigs get stranded.
What months are actually safe to run this trail?
October through April is the window. Summer heat in the Drâa-Tafilalet region is brutal and dangerous at this remoteness level, and flash flooding can close passages with zero warning. November through March is the sweet spot — cooler temps, more stable conditions.
Do I need permits or special paperwork to drive through this area?
Morocco requires foreign nationals to have a valid passport and vehicle registration; no special off-road permit is currently required for the Anti-Atlas region. However, some sections pass near old mining infrastructure managed regionally, so carrying your vehicle docs and ID at all times is non-negotiable.
What's the hardest section of this trail and what makes it nasty?
The upper rocky traverses near the abandoned copper workings are where rigs get hurt — loose shale over embedded boulders with off-camber shelf road sections and no room to turn around. Line choice is everything and one bad read can put you on your rocker panels or worse over the edge.
How far is the nearest fuel and water resupply from the trail?
Ouarzazate is your last reliable fuel stop before the circuit — carry enough for 200+ miles of low-gear rock crawling, which burns fuel fast, plus a reserve. Water is scarce and untreated along the route; bring full jerry cans and a filter because Berber village sources are not guaranteed and you have zero cell service to call for help.
Trail track
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