The route of the MDC2027:
Eight stages unlike anything you’ve raced before

Fast tracks, technical sections, vast plains, dunes, salt lakes, riverbeds and legendary Dakar trails will push both drivers and navigators to their limits.

As in 2026, the rally will start in Ouarzazate, the gateway to the Sahara. From there, an entirely new route will take competitors through Morocco’s rugged interior towards Saïdia. After eight intense days of navigation, action and pure off-road excitement, a spectacular finish party awaits on the Mediterranean coast.

Discover the eight stages below and get ready for the adventure!

The MDC2027 route

Stage 0 | Thursday 8th & Friday 9th 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 10th April

Ouarzazate- Oum El Hanch (prologue)

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SS1 = 63 km
Transfert = 199 km

Assistance = 192 km

The opening stage is a 63-kilometre prologue loop around Ouarzazate, close to the bivouac. This special combines fast tracks with sandy, winding sections, while already putting navigation skills to the test. The aim is to get into the rhythm of the rally and determine the starting order for Stage 2. After this first special, competitors will tackle a long liaison towards the first desert bivouac, 40 km from Zagora.

Stage 2 | Sunday 11th April

Oum El Hanch – Ksar Tiraf

SS2 = 329 km
Liaison = 0 km

Assistance = 105 km

The stage starts in a mountainous area on winding tracks. After crossing the Jebel, competitors will emerge directly in front of the dunes for a major 45-kilometre crossing of Erg Chegaga. They will then pass Lake Iriki before reaching the refuelling zone.

From there, the route alternates between wadis and fast, entirely sandy tracks, offering highly varied terrain on the way back towards M’Hamid via several smaller ergs. With the dunes appearing early in the special, competitors who lost time during the prologue will have an immediate opportunity to make up ground.

This already action-packed second day concludes with a loop around M’Hamid before reaching the new bivouac at Ksar Tiraf.

Stage 3 | Monday 12th April

Ksar Tiraf – Fezzou

SS3 = 336 km
Liaison = 0 km

Assistance = 294 km

This entirely new special starts on sandy tracks before venturing into a region that is largely unexplored by rally competitors. The route features rocky tracks, magnificent fast sections with a distinct WRC feel, several stretches of small dunes and a number of fesh-fesh zones to spice up the day.

The special concludes with a superb navigation section, where accuracy will be crucial to reach the finish. This varied, technical and fast-paced stage is likely to start creating significant gaps in the standings. Competitors will finish beside an oasis in Fezzou, where the bivouac will remain for the next two nights.

Stage 4 | Tuesday 13th April

Fezzou – Fezzou

SS4a = 218 km
SS4b = 163 km
Liaison = 0 km

Assistance = 0 km

This day consists of two specials. The first begins on wide, fast tracks before entering an area where navigation becomes the main challenge. Competitors will have to find their way around mountains and enormous tajine-shaped rock formations before reaching the dunes of Ouzina, crossing both ergs along their full length.

The route then heads back towards Sidi Ali through rarely used sectors before returning north to the bivouac.

After a short break, competitors will set off on the second special. It starts across vast plateaus before entering a real off-road playground of canyons, small dunes and sandy valleys. This dynamic and enjoyable special offers constant changes of pace and requires continuous adaptation. The route eventually returns to the bivouac, bringing an exceptionally varied and intense day to a close.

Stage 5 | Wednesday 14th April

Fezzou - Merzouga

SS5 = 302 km
Liaison = 0 km

Assistance = 155 km

Another highly varied special, constantly alternating between fast and sandy tracks, challenging navigation, numerous dune sections and a few rougher stretches. The stage crosses spectacular landscapes, including several mountain passes and sections that, I am certain, many competitors have never experienced before.

The route then passes through an old mining area before gradually approaching Merzouga, crossing several ergs along the way. The day concludes with a final ten-kilometre section through the Merzouga dunes, just before the bivouac. A fitting finale to a stage that promises to be as demanding as it is spectacular.

Stage 6 | Thursday 15th April

Merzouga – Hassi El Aricha

SS6 = 466 km​​​​​
Liaison = 0 km

Asistance = 365 km

The day begins with a major 35-kilometre crossing of Erg Chebbi. After leaving the dunes, competitors enter a rarely visited region featuring fast and sandy tracks, several wadis and multiple navigation sectors. The route also crosses numerous chotts before heading due north towards Erfoud.

The landscape then changes dramatically, giving way to much faster tracks interspersed with a few sections of camel grass. After a short neutralisation, the route continues along alternating sandy and fast tracks towards Boudnib.

A long liaison then leads to the start of the final section: one last special of approximately 80 kilometres, combining mountain and sandy tracks before reaching the bivouac. This will be a long, varied and demanding day, requiring full concentration right up to the final kilometres.

Stage 7 | Friday 16th April

Hassi El Aricha – Hassi El Aricha

SS7 = 308 km
Liaison = 0 km

Asistance = 0 km

This special around Hassi El Aricha offers an extraordinarily varied mix of sandy tracks, wadis, chotts, mountainous terrain, small dunes and several sections of camel grass. In short, it combines everything that makes rally-raid so special.

Competitors will also cross numerous canyons with breathtaking scenery. At times, the route runs along the bottom of the gorges; at others, it climbs to the heights above them, offering spectacular views throughout the day.

The stage explores a magnificent, remote region that is rarely visited by rallies. Tracks are often faint and sometimes disappear altogether. Navigators will therefore play a decisive role and could create significant gaps, while drivers will thoroughly enjoy tracks that are both technical and fast. A spectacular stage where the beauty of the scenery will rival the scale of the sporting challenge.

Stage 8 | Saturday 17th April

Hassi El Aricha – Saïdia

SS8 = 225 km
Transfert = 141 km

Asistance = 301 km

The rally heads due north towards the sea and the finish. This final special is shorter, but it should by no means be underestimated. It brings together everything that defines the Morocco Desert Challenge: demanding navigation, several fast tracks, numerous undulating sections, chotts and small dunes.

Despite the shorter distance, this final stage remains challenging for both drivers and navigators. The standings could still change right up to the last few kilometres. Full concentration will be required all the way to the finish line to bring this adventure to a perfect conclusion.

On Saturday 17th April the finish & award ceremony will take place in Saïdia. The airport of Oujda is just around the corner. The day after the rally, you can be home.