The Challenge from A to Z
All You Need To Know To Embark In This Amazing Adventure !
Big Trail Challenge it's not just a motorcycle tour in Morocco, but instead an amazing adventure, an overcoming experience, filled with companionship and discovery through Morocco, while crossing mountain and desert tracks and roads.
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"You do the ride, we do the rest"
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For ten days and nine nights, participants will have a life time experience with full logistical support, technical and medical assistance, all provided by a very experienced team, leaving space for the full enjoyment of the experience of discovering in an intense way, some of the most remote and beautiful places of Morocco and immerse in the vibrant Moroccan culture. In this incredible Maghreb country, participants will live unique, enriching and authentic experiences in a mix of cultural and nature discovery, with exceptional conditions for riding off-road motorcycles.
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With a route across Morocco, starting in Tarifa (Spain), the Big Trail Challenge allows participants with different technical skills, to enjoy the wonders of off road riding. From those who want to initiate the African crossings to the more experienced ones who want to enjoy the ride through off road tracks a bit more demanding, the route is designed to everyone with an adventurer spirit.
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Who can participate?
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The event was designed for riders of all skill levels depending on what you want, you can go from casual and friendly to rally raid level. Everyone can therefore join this adventure, however It's important to have some off road experience to join us and enjoy the journey safely, if you feel your experience is limited, search for off road courses or private lessons before joining us. You don't need to be an experienced rider to join level 1, but basic notions of off road riding are required.
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Motorcycles accepted
The event was designed for "trail" and "big Trail" four strokes motorcycles over 600cc with off road characteristics, however as of this year two categories will be introduced.
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Titan Class
Motorcycles above 600cc respecting fully the original philosophy of the event. Some people see limits, Titans see challenges. The Offroad Titans category its built for riders who dare to tame the beasts - the bigger, heavier machines demand strength, control and courage. Step up for this category if you have a Titans heart.
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Challenger Class
Challenger category bridge comfort and conquest. If you're into enjoy the challenge with a lighter motorcycle to ride the dunes at level 3 more comfortably, you can now join us with a 450/500cc motorcycle as long as:
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1. It has a rally-raid tower (motorcycles with an enduro front are not permitted in the event)
2. It has a minimum dry weight of 120kg
3. It has a minimum range of 200km
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We will have limited places available as this category should not represent more than 20% of the participants; registrations will be processed on a "first come, first served" basis.
Navigation through the route
For navigation during the challenge, participants will need a GPS device able to read GPX files with tracks and waypoints that will be provided some days before the departure with the full route of the event. The Morocco map installed in the GPS, although not mandatory, its highly recommend. In addition to the GPX files, each participant receives a paper note book which includes key route indications like fuel stations, dangerous spots, POIs, etc.
Levels of Participation
The event has routes with different technical levels to allow riders with different skills to enjoy the ride safely. Regardless of the participation level, all riders start and finish each stage at the same points (accommodation hotels)
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Level #1
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​The entry level is Level 1 and its the one to chose for those wishing to initiate the African crossings. This level will allow beginners to enjoy this adventure safely and simultaneously improve their basic off-road riding skills.
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Asphalt : 40%
Basic off-road : 50%
Intermediate off-road : 10%
Sand : Yes but very limited (few and short extensions)
Total length approximately 3.000km
(*) - Percentages are rough estimations
Riding per day 6-8 hours​
Level #2
This is the intermediate level with medium difficulty combined with some extensions that require more advanced skills. The main differences compared with level #1 are the oued crossings (sandy river beds), rockier climbs in the mountains and longer distances in some stages.
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Asphalt : 30%
Basic off-road : 35%
Intermediate off-road : 35%
Sand : Yes including oued (river beds with some hundreds of meters)
Total length approximately 3.000km
(*) - Percentages are rough estimations
Riding per day 6-8 hours​​​
Level #3
This level is exclusively for experienced riders with advanced skills and for the smaller motorcycles. (eg. KTM 690R enduro, etc). This level comprises some sand dune crossings in some of the Sahara desert stages.
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Asphalt : 30%
Basic off-road : 35%
Intermediate off-road : 35%
Advanced : Limited
Sand : Yes including oued (river beds with some hundreds of meters)
Sand Dunes : Yes
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Total length approximately 3.000km
(*) - Percentages are rough estimations
Riding per day 6-8 hours​​​
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Safety & Protection Equipement
Riding on inhospitable terrain and with some technical difficulties outside of Europe, involves risks that must be minimized, and therefore, the safety of the participants is one of our priorities.
The protection equipment can be extremely effective in case of fall or accident in the prevention of injuries and/or in reducing the severity of the injuries.
All participants should therefore equip themselves with the following equipment:
Mandatory : Off-road helmet
Not allowed : on road, modular, jet or open
Trunk protection
Required : Armor
Alternative : Moto jacket with shoulder, elbow, forearm and back protection.
Not allowed : Jackets without protection or not suitable for use on a motorcycle
Feet and legs
Required : Enduro or adventure boots
Not allowed : Boots that are short or not suitable for use on motorcycles
Hands
Required : Gloves suitable for motorcycle use
Recommended : Light and fresh gloves that allow a good grip and feeling
Legs
Recommended : Off-road pants and independent rigid knee pads
Alternative : Motorcycle suit pants with knee protection
Jersey for off-road use : Recommended for the southern stages
Off road neck brace : Recommended
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Hydration
Required : Camel Bag
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Documents
All participants are required to carry the following documentation:
- Valid driving licence for motorcycle riding;
- Passport valid until 19th of September 2026 or later;
- Green card of motorcycle insurance with extension to Morocco (acronym MA without cross). Alternatively Morocco
extension insurance can be obtained at the border.
- Motorcycle ownership document or authorisation to ride in Morocco by the owner of the motorcycle, in cases where the motorcycle
it is not owned by the participant (this document needs to be officially recognised by a lawyer)
- Copy of travel assistance policy
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Insurances
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Travel Assistance Insurance
It is MANDATORY to obtain a travel assistance insurance valid for Morocco with coverage for repatriation to the country of origin that doesn't exclude non-competitive sporting activities in motorcycles.
Each participant must obtain a travel insurance with an insurer of their choice, delivering a copy of the insurance policy to the organisation at the time of accreditation (Day 0) which have to have means to activate the insurance in the event of a medical emergency. As there are no minimum limits on the coverage required in addition to what has been described above, it is important to safeguard a minimum protection in case of need, avoiding unnecessary expenses at the cost of the participant.
Motorcycle Insurance
Many insurers do not automatically provide insurance coverage to circulate in Morocco. It is therefore necessary to ensure that the green card held by the participant does not have the Moroccan initials “MA” crossed. If it is crossed, the participant have to request the territorial extension for the period of the trip, which usually involves an extra cost.
It is important to ensure that the territorial extension covers not only damage to third parties, but roadside assistance coverage as well, since this coverage must be activated in the event of a breakdown or accident to repatriate the motorcycle to the country and address of origin without additional costs to the participant.
Code of Conduct
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Safeguarding safety and respecting the country and the environment are sacred things for us, that's why we have a code of conduct that participants must follow during the participation in the event, which includes the following 8 mandatory rules:
1. Always RESPECT the organisation instructions
2. REDUCE speed when overtaking participants who are riding slower
3. REDUCE speed in towns and villages, around people and in particular around children and animals
4. NEVER circulate on the track in the opposite direction to that indicated
5. ALWAYS ride on the track and NEVER off track
6. Use ALWAYS the mandatory protection equipment described in the regulation
7. RESPECT people, culture and local customs
8. RESPECT the environment and do not leave garbage on the track
According to the regulation, the organisation may prevent a participant from continuing the trip, when he/she disrespects the recommendations given by any element of the organisation duly identified, or when, for some reason, his/her conduct threatens his/her's or any other participants safety or violates the code of conduct.
Trip logistics & assistance
Logistics
Riding during the event is done without side cases and it is recommended that participants only carry with them during the
day a dry bag on the bike that contains extra water, the lunch pack and some tools, air chambers, etc.
The use of metallic side cases is NOT ALLOWED during the trip.
To each participant is assigned space in the logistics vehicle to carry 65L of volume for the personal luggage (clothing, footwear, toiletries, spare parts).
Mechanical support
A very experienced team grants in the field technical assistance throughout the trip, and means to rescue motorcycles off the track if needed. The mechanical assistance is granted during the stages, but also at the end of each of them to make sure that all riders can continue the trip to the extent of the technical means available.
Medical support
During the entire trip, the medical assistance will be guaranteed by a team made up of doctors and paramedics duly qualified and with the necessary equipment to provide assistance on the track in the event of an accident or support participants in case of fatigue, dehydration, or any other situation. that requires medical assistance during the
trip.
Trip preparation
All participants upon payment of the full amount of the registration, will have access to a private area of the website where they can find extensive instructions for the trip preparation with answers to most question.
Motorcycle transportation
The organization have means (limited spaces) to transport motorcycles from the participants from Lisbon to Tarifa and back, against an additional fee. Please contact us for a query.
