mds trek | IAN CORLESS

There are stages that challenge you, stages that move you, and then there are stages like Stage 3 of MDS TREK Morocco, the kind that embeds itself deep in your memory and never lets go.

This wasn’t just another section of the trek. It was the spiritual centre of the entire experience. A 48-hour symphony of sweat, sand, starlight and self-discovery, this was the Sahara in its rawest, most breathtaking form.

Part One – Into the Desert Before Dawn

It began in the dark, well before sunrise. Head torches flickered to life across the bivouac like constellations on the move. The air was still, cool with the promise of what was to come. This was no ordinary start. There was a choice, two routes: the shorter 17.3km or the longer 30.6km. Two paths leading into the vast unknown, with each step breaking the silence of the Moroccan morning.

And then came the sand, golden even in the first light. There’s nothing quite like descending those soft sandy giants as the world slowly glows around you.

Laughter echoed, legs burned, hearts raced. The sand gave way to rocky outcrops, and then again to long stretches of sunlit solitude.

It was terrain that demanded focus: shifting sands, jagged stones, climbs that tested lungs, and descents that punished quads. And moments of pure magic, a Camel with a calf just days old.

As the sun climbed, so did the temperature, creeping past 40°C, pushing toward the high 40s by midday. Every kilometre was earned. The trek moved through narrow mountain passes, broad empty plains, and wind-rippled dunes that swallowed sound and offered only the rhythm of your own breath in return.

This wasn’t just physical endurance. It was mental stamina. This was the Sahara asking, “How much do you want this?” And the answer was in every footstep forward.

Star Night – A Sahara Festival Beneath the Milky Way

Then came the magic.

As the heat softened and the sky turned amber, the group reached the remote desert bivouac, a temporary outpost far from civilisation, wrapped in silence, surrounded by dunes like a protective embrace.

Tents were set up quickly, offering some shelter from the still-warm evening, but it was clear that tonight, few would sleep indoors.

Dinner was served under open skies, a catered desert banquet with the kind of flavour that only comes after a day like that.

Music played. Conversations sparked. Laughter carried on the breeze. And as the sun finally slipped away, the desert lit up in a way that defied belief.

This was no ordinary night.

This was Star Night.

The sky ignited with stars, sharp, bright, infinite. The Milky Way stretched across the sky like a brushstroke of light. It was cinematic. Surreal. And yet, utterly real. Most didn’t even bother with sleeping bags; the night air was warm, comfortable, and inviting. Mats were laid out in the sand, and people lay back, letting the stillness of the Sahara soak in.

This wasn’t just a rest stop. It was a memory being etched in real time. A Saharan festival of connection, nature, and awe. And despite the fatigue, few slept early. Why would you? Nights like that are rare, even in dreams.

Day Two – Sunrise, Sand, and the Final Push

As dawn crept in, the desert glowed again. Another split route awaited, this time 17.5km or 22.5km. But legs were lighter. Spirits were high. The starlit night had done its work. The air still held a bit of cool, and the sun rose gently, casting long shadows over the rippling sands.

The trail wound through more epic Saharan landscapes, twisting through low valleys, across ancient dry riverbeds, and up onto ridges with views that stole the breath before the heat could.

By late morning the thermometer climbed past 48°C. Brutal, yes. But somehow also beautiful. Because every drop of sweat, every pause in the shade, every step forward became part of something larger.

There was camaraderie. People encouraging one another. Sharing sips of water. Pointing out landmarks. Moving as individuals, yes, but always part of a bigger whole.

And then, after hours of pushing through shimmering heat and relentless terrain, the finish line of Stage 3 appeared, home bivouac, familiar now, yet somehow different. Changed. Just like every person who crossed into it.

Why Stage 3 Can’t Be Missed

Stage 3 isn’t just a segment of MDS TREK Morocco. It’s a story within the story. It captures everything the trek stands for: resilience, beauty, challenge, community, and wonder.

This was the essence of the MDS spirit : raw, bold, unforgettable. It tested bodies, ignited minds, and opened hearts. Trekkers will not just remember Stage 3, it will forever be that stage.

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There’s a certain image that comes to mind when you hear “MDS” – blistered feet, rationed calories, endless dunes, and the punishing solitude of the Sahara. But the second edition of MDS TREK Morocco flips that narrative. It’s still tough, still raw, still proudly Saharan, but this isn’t the Marathon des Sables you’ve heard whispered about in ultra circles. This is MDS with a difference.

This is adventure, elevated.

A New Kind of Desert Challenge

Set across seven nights deep in the Moroccan desert, MDS TREK isn’t about suffering. It’s about connection – to the land, to others, and to yourself. Designed for trekkers who crave the thrill of the Sahara without the demands of full self-sufficiency, this edition delivers a rich, physically challenging, and surprisingly comfortable desert experience.

Forget dehydrated meals eaten crouched in the sand. Here, you’re fed three real meals a day. Forget sleeping shoulder-to-shoulder under a makeshift tarp, you’ll rest in spacious, tents, roomy enough to stretch and breathe. Need a shower? There are actual showers. Want a drink? There’s a desert bar. And after a long day on your feet, you can stretch out with sunset yoga or sink into a post-stage massage.

A Race for Every Level

What sets MDS TREK apart isn’t just the comfort – it’s the accessibility. You don’t need to be an ultra-runner or a desert-hardened veteran to take part. This is a multi-stage trek, not a race to the death.

Each of the four stages is offered with two distance options, allowing participants to challenge themselves at their own pace. Want a longer push? Go for the full route. Need a bit less? Opt for the shorter version. The emphasis isn’t on beating the clock; it’s about the experience.

But make no mistake, this is still the Sahara. The terrain is rugged, the climbs are real, and the heat is relentless. The environment demands respect. But it also rewards you with something almost spiritual in return.

Stage 1: Into the Furnace

The adventure began under a blazing sun. Temperatures soared as 350 trekkers laced up for the first leg of the journey. The day’s route offered a choice: 15.6 km or 22.7 km, with both options weaving through a landscape as brutal as it was breathtaking.

Soft, shifting sands made even the flat sections a test of will. Then came the tough climbs, sandy ascents that drained the legs and quickened the pulse.

There were sections of technical rock and loose scree, keeping everyone alert. But in between the hardship came moments of wonder: endless panoramas, wind-sculpted dunes, towering jebels casting long shadows across the desert floor.

It wasn’t easy. But that wasn’t the point. This was beauty wrapped in brutality – a reminder of how the desert strips you down, and in doing so, shows you something pure.

And perhaps the most defining feature of the field? More than 60% of participants were women. This wasn’t just an event—it was a movement.

Evenings of Contrast

Post-stage life in MDS TREK is where the magic deepens. After pushing their limits under the sun, participants returned to a camp that was more oasis than outpost.

There’s shade. There’s cool water. There’s time to kick off the boots, breathe, and reset.

Then, as the desert begins to exhale and the day gives way to dusk, trekkers gather for sunset yoga – a quiet, grounding practice led against the backdrop of endless sky. Others opt for a massage under canvas, loosening the knots earned over each step.

And later, with dinner shared and bellies full, the real depth of the event reveals itself: evening talks and lectures that inspire, educate, and connect. Whether it’s stories from desert veterans, lessons on resilience, or reflections on personal growth, these sessions remind everyone that MDS TREK isn’t just about distance. It’s about transformation.

A Community Like No Other

The mix of people is part of what makes MDS TREK so powerful. Solo adventurers. Groups of friends. Veterans of the classic MDS alongside first-time desert explorers. Young and old. Every background. Every story. This is a space where no one is left behind, and every victory, every climb, every kilometre is cheered like a medal.