2019 checkpoints

checkpoint 1

Chefchaouen is noted for its buildings in shades of blue. 
Al-Alami founded the city 1471 to fight the Portuguese invasions of northern Morocco. The countryside around it has a reputation for being a prolific source of kief. The Chefchaouen region is one of the main producers of cannabis in Morocco. A nearby attraction is the Kef Toghobeit Cave, one of the deepest caves in Africa.
(source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chefchaouen)

checkpoint 2

Abandoned buildings in a canyon in the Middle Atlas.

checkpoint T1

On the route at km 900. You have to arrive in a time limit to continue with the “Erg Chebbi” loop. If you arrive out of the time limit, you continue with the standard route, 860km to the finish Essaouira, and will be finisher of the standard route.

checkpoint E1

Abandoned village near Amezouj
(part of the Erg Chebbi” loop)

checkpoint E2

Valée de Ziz, an oasis in the Sahara.
(part of the Erg Chebbi” loop)

checkpoint E3

“Erg Chebbi” the biggest sand dunes in Morocco, till 150m high.
(part of the Erg Chebbi” loop)

checkpoint E4

“La Cárcel Portuguesa” – not only James Bond – Spectre (2015) was filmed at this volcanic crater.

The Mummy (1999) is set in Egypt, but filmed mostly in Morocco. In the southeastern Moroccan desert, an entire set was built for the fictional Egyptian city, Hamunaptra. The set for this fictional city was constructed in a dormant volcanic crater close to the real-life oasis town, Erfoud.
(part of the Erg Chebbi” loop)

checkpoint T2

The second time checkpoint Dadès is at km 1652 of the extended route. You have to arrive in a time limit, that is based in finishing for the finisher party,  to continue with the “Erg Chigaga” loop, 1258km to the finish. If you arrive out of the time limit, you continue with the standard route, 725km to the finish in Essaouira.

checkpoint E5

“Erg Chigaga”, the largest and wildest sand dunes in Morocco. The piste to this place is challenging and they will tell you, not possible on a bike or motorbike and you need a guide if you will find the place with an offroad car. They told me it happened local tuaregs ending up in the nearby Algeria. After the road ends in “Hamid El Ghizlane” at the end of the rural village, you search your way over 50km sandy and rocky piste to the dunes.
On Wikipedia you find: “Because it is relatively difficult to access – it is only accessible by 4×4, camel or on foot.”
(part of the “Erg Chigaga” loop)

checkpoint E6

The “Blue Rocks” – the belgian artist Jean Verame came here in the 80s and spent 3 months painting loads of the rocks blue with the help of a team of Moroccan firemen. CP E5 is located near Tafraout, a mythic place and famous for climbing on the steep walls north of he village. 
(part of the “Erg Chigaga” loop)

checkpoint E7

Anywhere in the High Atlas mountains. On the way there on the other side of the mountain people will ask you, where do you go and wishing you good luck. Probable children come to the road and invite you for lunch.

checkpoint S1

Tizi n’Test 2100m in the High Atlas mountains.
 (part of the standard route)