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Route from Smara to Zag (Western Sahara) Route from Smara to Zag (Western Sahara)
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Photo by Lois Pryce, fueling up in Tunisia

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  #1  
Old 5 Jul 2016
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You might be better going Smara to Assa (red route) and then south to Zag on the green route per the map above that I previously posted on TA. Zag is the location of the more northerly red fuel cans symbol.

The military will turn you back if you get too close to the berms.
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Old 6 Jul 2016
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Originally Posted by Tim Cullis View Post


You might be better going Smara to Assa (red route) and then south to Zag on the green route per the map above that I previously posted on TA. Zag is the location of the more northerly red fuel cans symbol.

The military will turn you back if you get too close to the berms.
Thanks, I saw your map but I have been confused by the red route. It would be ok for us to go red route but I can't see it anywhere - on google maps or satellite so I'm not sure if we will know which way we should go. If the route is clearly see (so we can't get lost (especially because of mines)), we will go this route. We don't need to go to Zag at all but I though that there are only two routes (Smara -> Zag .... or Smara -> Tantan ... ).

PS: What's the elephant icon on the map?
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Old 6 Jul 2016
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I can send you a track log for that route if you pm me a email address. It won't be on google maps but is shown on OSM Maps etc.

Fairly easy route finding, from Smara to just east of Hawza is asphalt now then you head north east across a fantastic dry lake bed (providing its dry). It will take about 1.5 days to cover the route so you'll need to allow for a camp out somewhere.

Check here for latest updates on routes
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...-updates-80051

Or you could purchase a copy of Chris Scott's excellent Morocco Overland and follow his way points. (can't remember which route number it is, I'll update later).

Tim, I've done that route a couple of times now but don't remember seeing the elephants .
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Old 6 Jul 2016
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The red route is similar to Chris Scott's MW6 route. The northern end is a bit different, otherwise it's an accurate tracklog rather than just point to point waypoints.

The elephants are neolithic rock paintings. The one directly on the red route is a bit iffy, the one to the north is Aouinet Asguer paintings. The swimming icon is a swimming possibility (if there's water).
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Old 12 Dec 2018
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updates on this route?
Hi folks,
I'm looking for the latest on this route. I'm planning around trip Marrakesh - Smara - Marrakesh for this januari. Have seen some notes on the route via Assa getting paved. Since were traveling with a 2wd Dacia, i'll need a safe option but woul like to avoid going up and down the r101 from tan-tan.

Any update or suggestion welcome!
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Old 15 Jan 2020
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Update on route
Hi,

Just took this route the day before yesterday.

The route from Assa to Labouriate is now tarmac. From there to approx. 27.842824, -10.543551 it's graded dirt road, I believe called 'tôle ondulée'.

The N19 just south of the dried lake is now also tarmac. It's possible to do Assa -> Smara in one day (I did)

The rest is piste, be careful as it's very easy to get lost on one of all the sub-pistes (i did a couple of times). GPS way points is the way to go.

I believe Zag and Al Mahbes are both off limits to tourists, but I haven't tried to go there. I have this info from a retired gendarme who was kind enough to invite me to his family's house for tea and dinner.
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Old 16 Jan 2022
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Possible
Does anyone know if it is already possible to make it from Assa to Amara in a 2wd car? We would like to make the trip but i can't find a road between those places. Google gives a road but in the satellite view, we can't see a road.

So is it possible to do it with a 2wd on a tarmac/dirt road? And if so how do i know where to go?

And what about the military, is the situation better than a year ago?
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