Lalla Takerkoust lake is located at about 35 km on the road from Marrakesh southward to Amezmiz. This lake is formed by a dam built on Oued (river) N’fis which is one the most important affluent of Oued Tansift. Oued Tansift “flows” from the east of Marrakesh to the Atlantic Ocean near the peaceful small town Souiria (old saouira). Oued N’fis on the other hand flows northward from the high Atlas Mountains, somewhere near the famous Tizi N’test pass, and crosses Toubkal national Park and Haouz region towards Oued Tansift, northern west of Marrakesh.
Lalla Takerkoust is a favourite destination for bikers and Sunday picnickers for many reasons. You need less than two hours to reach the lake on a bike, and this without rushing. Motorcycles and cars need less obviously and are the major means of transportation to the lake, especially motorbikes, the favourite means of transportation of Marrakechis or rather, the most afforded one. On the other hand, utilization of bicycles inside Marrakesh has diminished considerably, compared to few decades ago.
The road to Takerkoust is flat except a downhill when you approach the village of Lalla Takerkoust. Recently, a multitude of resorts and hotels have been and are being built on both sides of this road perverting it as much as the surroundings of Marrakesh and the city itself. Another annoying aspect about this road is the herds of touristic 4x4 cars and vans taking herds of mass tourists to see what they could visit themselves without any chaperonage.
As the lake can be a stopover before completing one day tours, there is a lot of biking possibilities in this region. The simplest itinerary is to and fro by the same main road or back following N’fis via Agafay. This simple detour leads you by a beautiful quiet road through some small villages and has the advantage of being untrodden by tourists vans; 4x4 cars and crazy collective taxi drivers. Another possibility is to go along the western side of the lake through villages and fields by a dirt road that leads to the main road few kilometers before Amezmiz. There is also a paved road that leads from Lalla Takerkoust village to the famous Moulay Brahim (rather infamous because of the reputation of the village that hosts seemingly a lot of prostitution houses). This road leads through the eastern side of the lake through a breathtaking uphill to Agergour village and to Kik high plateau all the way to Moulay Brahim village and down to the road that links Asni to Marrakesh via Tahanaout. Before climbing to Agergour village, it is also possible to take a dirt road to Oued N’fis and cross a pass called Tizi Ouzla (1090m) through wonderful Thuja forests to Marigha village few kilometers north of Asni.
The lake is unfortunately polluted by the lack of hygienic behavior on behalf of visitors, which is most seen during the summer when the water level subsides considerably. Having a personal aversion for black plastic bags – a symbol of ecological awareness in Morocco – I prefer not take pictures of rubbish and try as much as possible to catch the most attractive glimpses which would make u want to go see the lake. Enjoy them.
Lalla Takerkoust is a favourite destination for bikers and Sunday picnickers for many reasons. You need less than two hours to reach the lake on a bike, and this without rushing. Motorcycles and cars need less obviously and are the major means of transportation to the lake, especially motorbikes, the favourite means of transportation of Marrakechis or rather, the most afforded one. On the other hand, utilization of bicycles inside Marrakesh has diminished considerably, compared to few decades ago.
The road to Takerkoust is flat except a downhill when you approach the village of Lalla Takerkoust. Recently, a multitude of resorts and hotels have been and are being built on both sides of this road perverting it as much as the surroundings of Marrakesh and the city itself. Another annoying aspect about this road is the herds of touristic 4x4 cars and vans taking herds of mass tourists to see what they could visit themselves without any chaperonage.
As the lake can be a stopover before completing one day tours, there is a lot of biking possibilities in this region. The simplest itinerary is to and fro by the same main road or back following N’fis via Agafay. This simple detour leads you by a beautiful quiet road through some small villages and has the advantage of being untrodden by tourists vans; 4x4 cars and crazy collective taxi drivers. Another possibility is to go along the western side of the lake through villages and fields by a dirt road that leads to the main road few kilometers before Amezmiz. There is also a paved road that leads from Lalla Takerkoust village to the famous Moulay Brahim (rather infamous because of the reputation of the village that hosts seemingly a lot of prostitution houses). This road leads through the eastern side of the lake through a breathtaking uphill to Agergour village and to Kik high plateau all the way to Moulay Brahim village and down to the road that links Asni to Marrakesh via Tahanaout. Before climbing to Agergour village, it is also possible to take a dirt road to Oued N’fis and cross a pass called Tizi Ouzla (1090m) through wonderful Thuja forests to Marigha village few kilometers north of Asni.
The lake is unfortunately polluted by the lack of hygienic behavior on behalf of visitors, which is most seen during the summer when the water level subsides considerably. Having a personal aversion for black plastic bags – a symbol of ecological awareness in Morocco – I prefer not take pictures of rubbish and try as much as possible to catch the most attractive glimpses which would make u want to go see the lake. Enjoy them.
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