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Without a doubt, the Talassemtane 40 provides a spectacular end. In our intention to innovate and change the routes in all our stages year after year, we are putting forward a design for the Moroccan stage that combines the experience from last year (it is mostly the same route in the opposite direction) with a couple of variants that above all add spectacular scenery and a greater skill requirement to the route.
The Talassemtane 40 starts off by heading south, going through the streets of Chefchaouen, the Blue Pearl of the Rif. After passing through the Medina, we take on a saddle which, following a stiff ascent through a stony area, comes out onto the park’s main unpaved road. From here, we begin a sharp descent bordering the southern slope of Jebel Kelaa to end up in the area of the campsite (headquarters for our Africa Camp). From here, we begin an ascent with a progressively sharper slope and technical difficulty, to end up on one of the race’s highest points: the Chouihat pass at over 1,800 m above sea level.
After this mountain pass, we will begin a fun, fast descent along the National Park’s road towards the village of Azilane, all the while surrounded by the great vegetation of Spanish firs (with a lot of humidity). Following Azilane, we come to Afeska, a town lost in time, where a tough ascent begins towards the Jebel Tissouka pass (the other high point in this stage) at over 1,800 masl.
After passing near the summit of Tissouka, we will begin a long, fun descent through the areas of low shrubs and stones, heading towards the towns of Tissouka and Mechkralla, to then continue on a clear path with beautiful views towards the city of Chefchaouen, passing by the Spanish Mosque of the pretty Riffian city. This is a picturesque route designed by our technical director, Domingo Espinosa.