FYI, the track departs M13 at N27° 52.570' W10° 15.017'. If u need more info let me know...

Hi Chris, others,
Does anyone have more information on the current state of this route? I'd want to do it in a 2wd car as thats all I have the coming trip.

This is a five-year-old thread but as it happens I rode to Lab in spring 2017; an easy built-up track all the way. I don't think it's due for sealing.
Don't know the ~100km from there to the crossroads (KM222).
From crossroads (a few days later, coming down MW7) I struggled in the oued at KM247 (did not cross to the S bank), but even then there was unavoidable soft sand around the KM256 narrows following floods.
A route may have developed by now.
From there down to the salt pan and the highway, easy enough.

Assuming 2WD has good clearance, I would take some planks if going alone.
send some pics ;-)

Moto trip report 2017

February 2018:
From Assa to Labouriyat more or less gravel road with lots of bypasses due to work on the route.



Assa - Smara report with 2wd, also some GPS coordinates. Reasonable ground clearance is all you need from the technical viewpoint.

April 2018
 

April 2018

Clear gravel road all the way.there was a lot of building going on in Labour at so track is probably corrugated by now.

Please note my previous comment relates to Assa to Labourirat only.From L to Smara still unmade piste.

Assa to Labouirat is asphalt the whole way (December 2018). The piste then continues smooth and fast west until roughly 40km from Mseid where it drops down into a valley. Small sections of corrugations but otherwise 40-50kmh


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Thanks for all the info!
So there is still a fair amount of piste to do. TheWarden, do you perhaps have a tracklog of this section available, did you use a 2wd as well?

Since i'll be going with family, risk avoidance is first choice this trip. The section from Labouirat to Smara is still the longest way, if that's actually all piste still it if probably a bit to long for them to enjoy still.

The ride report (good find!) I would not doubt doing with a bike, but it seems a little to remote and up for navigation to do with the car this time.

Posting the latest received on the facebook west africa overland group from Mark there:
Further info received today on the blue route and then up to Zag is a group got intercepted by the army and escorted back out of the area!! From Labouirat to the next bit of tarmac in Hawza is 153km. All possible in a 2wd but the last bit is a lake bed which can be muddy if it’s rained.


so if the wheather is with us and time allow's we'll head down this bit. Looking forward to it!