The route of the MDC2027:
8 stages through the most beautiful landscapes

Every edition of the Morocco Desert Challenge guarantees a demanding course that not only gives drivers a tough challenge, but also requires navigators to be really attentive. Fast tracks, technical sections, vast African plains, many dunes, salt lakes, river beds and legendary Dakar tracks: almost all 8 stages start and end in the bivouac.

In 2026, the Morocco Desert Challenge got a brand-new starting point: Ouarzazate, the iconic gateway to the Sahara. We said goodbye to the familiar scrutineering in Agadir and the classic beach start at Plage Blanche. The route shifted to the rougher interior of Morocco, where the real challenge awaited. More desert, more dunes, more spectacle – and above all: more rally. After eight intense stages of pure off-road pleasure, we finished  with a spectacular closing party on the Mediterranean coast, in sun-drenched Saïdia.

This was the MDC2026 route

Stage 0 | Thursday 9th & Friday 10th April

Ouarzazate

Technical and administrative checks

On Thursday April 9 and Friday April 10, 2026, the Morocco Desert Challenge kicks off with scrutineering in Ouarzazate, the Hollywood of Africa and gateway to the desert. Bivouac 0 will be set up next to the beautiful 4-star rally hotel where most participants will stay; right next to ancient kasbahs.

Stage 1 | Saturday 11th April

Ouarzazate - Ouarzazate - Foum Zguid (prologue)

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SS1 = 75 km
Transfert = 175 km

The real start of the rally takes place at the castle featured in the movies Kingdom of Heaven and Jerusalem, just outside the city and 8 km from the hotel. Beautiful tracks in a hilly setting, with the snow-capped High Atlas mountains in the background. Day 1 is a perfect introduction mix of technical and fast sections, gravel roads, and WRC tracks. A brilliant 75 km prologue to determine the start positions for the next day. After the prologue, the only transfer of the rally takes us to the first desert bivouac in Foum Zguid.

Stage 2 | Sunday 12th April

Foum Zguid - M'Hamid

SS2 = 341 km
Liaison = 0 km

A first long stage takes us deep into the Moroccan Sahara. As a warm-up, we start with sandy tracks and small dunes heading west, turn back east on a brand-new track parallel to the old Dakar route, then cross Lac Iriki before presenting the first taste of the Erg Chegaga dunes. Via sandy oueds (dry riverbeds), we reach the bivouac in M’Hamid.

Stage 3 | Monday 13th April

M'Hamid - M'Hamid

SS3 = 286 km
Liaison = 0 km

Today it’s sand, sand, and more sand: both fast and technical. A second crossing of Erg Chegaga in the morning, followed by breathtaking desert landscapes with very unique vegetation in the afternoon. Navigation will be crucial.

Stage 4 | Tuesday 14th April

M'Hamid - Oum Jrane

SS4 = 350 km
Liaison = 0 km

We leave the M’Hamid bivouac behind. After some mountainous, technical passages, a 60 km desert plain full of acacia trees awaits. A completely new route takes us between tajine-shaped mountains heading north. Sandy pistes make for a perfect racing day. An ideal playground for true cross-country rallying.

Stage 5 | Wednesday 15th April

Oum Jrane - Merzouga

SS5 = 310 km
Liaison = 0 km

Another desert classic with something for everyone, skillfully mixed by our race director. Expect sandy plains near Marabout, the canyon of M’Harech, 10 km through the dunes of Erg Ouzina, and countless winding sand and stone pistes leading to Merzouga. Guaranteed spectacle. Our bivouac, near Hotel Yasmina, lies at the foot of the majestic dunes.

Stage 6 | Thursday 16th April

Merzouga - Merzouga

SS6 = 295 km​​​​​
Liaison = 0 km

The Queen Stage of the Morocco Desert Challenge 2026. Not for the faint-hearted. We begin with the great north-south crossing of Morocco’s highest dune sea, Erg Chebbi, followed by a second dune section near Erg Znaigui. Both dune areas are linked together by another 240 km of varied pistes and sandy oueds.

Stage 7 | Friday 17th April

Merzouga - Bouarfa

SS7 = 493 km
Liaison = 0 km

After one last short loop of 10 km through the Erg Chebbi dunes, we say goodbye to Merzouga. From here, we change direction and ride north via a mix of sandy oueds and fast pistes. On the menu: the Hamada plains and a piece of the Rekkam plateau. Technical tracks in the morning, with navigation and drifting in the afternoon.

Stage 8 | Saturday 18th April

Bouarfa - Saïdia

SS8 = 187 km
Transfert = 157 km

The very last stage, heading 100% north, is traditionally shorter. Still, the sting is often in the tail. The vast landscape consists of a maze of WRC tracks along an old railway line. Don’t underestimate this final stage in terms of navigation. Just south of Oujda, the finish arch awaits one last time, with your service team, friends, and the organization waiting for you with cold beer and, for some… champagne!

On Saturday 18th April the finish & award ceremony will take place in Saïdiz. The airport of Oujda is just around the corner. The day after the rally, you can be home.