Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > North Africa
Nouadhibou-Atar-Nouakchott (please check my particulars...) Nouadhibou-Atar-Nouakchott (please check my particulars...)
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
North Africa Topics specific to North Africa and the Sahara down to the 17th parallel (excludes Morocco)
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



Trans Sahara Routes.

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 20 May 2009
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 73
Nouadhibou-Atar-Nouakchott (please check my particulars...)
Hi there, I'm trying to piece together info on water stops and sandy sections using the Sahara Overland R2 update and a Michelin Map.

Would you mind looking over this? (Distances are obviously approx.)

Nouadhibou-Atar:

Water:-
59km: Bou Lanouar
121km: "Small village by tracks"
230km: Aghoueyyit Salee (water hole marked on Michelin map - saline?)
255km: Inal
300km: Tmeimichat
360km: Ben Amira village
440km: 'Aggui
500km: Azougui
520km: Atar

Sand sections:-
15km-49km: sandy
175-?km: "progressively sandier towards next waypoint"
260km-320km: dunes
Piste through Ben Amir village: "very sandy"
394km-400km: dunes
494km-Azogui village: "sandy area"

What is the condition of the piste on the rest of the route?
I think I am right in saying you can travel along the railway tracks if it gets too sandy; does anyone have any waypoints at which it is good to get onto the tracks?

Atar-Nouakchott:

Water:-
40km: Ain Attaya
180km: Akjoujt
300km: Bou Rjeimat (marked as water hole on Michelin)
310km: Al Asma
436km: Nouakchott
Are there any other settlements along this route?

Road:-
Is this route sealed? If not, what is the condition of the piste?

Many thanks indeed,
PP.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 20 May 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Oxford UK
Posts: 2,116
Atar to Nouakchott is a good tarmac road. It took me about 6hrs driving with a few security stops.
No idea on fuel as I filled up in Atar and it got me past Nouakchott.
My log says I stopped in Akjoujt for lunch although tbh I can't remember much about it
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 20 May 2009
Chris Scott's Avatar
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jun 2000
Posts: 4,913
... (water hole marked on Michelin map - saline?)

Preparation is a good thing but I would not expect to rely on a 4m-scale map for the position of possible waterholes in the Sahara. Without wpts, for nav a TPC is the least old paper option, but you dont need either on R2.

You can get on the rails wherever you like assuming you can get up the embankment, it's always close to your left. Most of the time the piste is smoother so only 2WDs or heavy motos might prefer to get on the tracks around the sandy bits which are really car-high sand hills not Erg Chebbi.

On Google Earth toolbar: Layers click > More > T4A. You will see an orientation of the track in purple, closely matching the R2 update direct to Atar and much more besides.

Ch
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 21 May 2009
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 73
Hi there, thanks for your replies.
I am not relying on ANYTHING being therem which is why I'm hoping someone can confirm/deny the existence of those settlements.
Hopefully somone who has done this route recently will be able to advise.
I'm planning to travel by human power which is why I am so keen for precise info on water stops.

Quote:
a TPC is the least old paper option
Thanks Ch, what's a "TPC"?
Last edited by panderingpeter; 21 May 2009 at 11:30.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 21 May 2009
Chris Scott's Avatar
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jun 2000
Posts: 4,913
I am planning to travel by human power...

I though so and if you mean a bicycle I would not recommend R2: you will run out of water or exhaust yourself trying to carry enough water. An account of what that feels like is here I believe (read it a long time ago).
And unless you can balance like this guy the rail track will be no respite.

If you've read the Sahara book you will see the cycling contrib had 35° in mid-winter in the Adrar and also nearly flaked out. We had that or more in November on R2. Relying on passing traffic for water is bad form IMO; we saw one car on our transit of R2.

As I recall, from Bou Lanouar until you get to the Choum-Atar piste, apart from Ben Amera, the railside 'villages' add up to just a few hovels made of fallen wagons or sleepers and may be unoccupied.

At least in the Adrar routes are all fairly short (< 150km) and not all sandy. I would say get yourself to Atar (or even Choum on the train from NDB) and enjoy a circuit out to Ching, Oudane, Terjit: better riding in all ways.

A TPC is a grided 1:500k map which has its faults but on which it's easy to mark/record waypoints. Full story here. It looks like TPC J1-B covers all of R2.

Ch
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 22 May 2009
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 73
What a wonderful writer Jens Finke is.
Chris, it looks like the Adrar will be a delightful detour beforeheading on to NKT.
I am going to look into R2 further, specifically whether or not Inal and Tmeimichat [marked by Michelin as sitting just north of the railway line] exist. If I can get up-to-date info confirming these smaller settlements from overlanders/tour operators before I leave Nouadhibou, I may attempt it. Otherwise there is the train of course
By the way, are you suggesting that the suface between the rails is unsuitable for cycing on?
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 22 May 2009
Chris Scott's Avatar
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jun 2000
Posts: 4,913
Hi Peter,

for Inal and Tmeimichat have a look on Google Earth, if the res is good enough. Much of the Mich is outdated or fantasy in the desert.

The piste (R2) always stays south of the rails as I believe there is a risk of mines between the line up to the border. Travellers rarely go north (apart from visits to Ben Amera mountain) and tour operators in Nouadhibou or Atar concentrate on the Adrar. R2 is really an access/rail servicing track.

the suface between the rails is unsuitable for cycing on?

As I recall, yes though this picture makes it look OK, possibly because it was a section just out of Bou Lanouar which cars drive on (as we were) to avoid deep sand. Elsewhere I recall 50mm Ø coarse rocks/gravel.

Ch
Attached Thumbnails
Nouadhibou-Atar-Nouakchott (please check my particulars...)-dg.jpg  

Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 22 May 2009
-
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,342
Peter- I have scans for you- pls email me as per pm. so that I can send them to you.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 24 May 2009
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 73
Thank you.

I have been informed that the settlement of Tmeimichat exists, or at least it did in 2006.

Inal is refered to by a forum user (from early 2008, I think) and I await comfirmation of this.

I also found these possible waypoints:

Inal: 21,17,360N 14,59,740W
Tmeimichat: 21,14,330N 14,22,585W

Any more recent information much appreciated.
PP.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 7 Jul 2009
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 73
If anyone else has details of settlements along this route [Inal and Tmeimichat in particular] I would appreciate any further input.

Also, 'ursula', if you happen to read this; I have sent you a PM as I think you have driven this route and might be able to help.

Thanks again.
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Piste Update R2 - Nouadhibou to Atar Matt Roach North Africa 36 23 Apr 2016 10:26
Nouadhibou/Nouakchott & Atar/Tidjikja 8340SU North Africa 9 3 Aug 2007 19:22
Nouadhibou to Atar - What is this? Haakonbj North Africa 2 20 Feb 2007 08:59
Nouadhibou-Atar - tarmac? bUgI North Africa 2 17 May 2004 16:04

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

  • Virginia: April 24-27 2025
  • Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
  • Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
  • CanWest: July 10-13 2025
  • Switzerland: Date TBC
  • Ecuador: Date TBC
  • Romania: Date TBC
  • Austria: Sept. 11-14
  • California: September 18-21
  • France: September 19-21 2025
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 01:23.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top