Route from Smara to Zag (Western Sahara)
 

Hello guys,

I have been adviced to ask here. We are going to take a road trip on a rented car in Morocco and Western Sahara. One direction will be along the coast (Marrakech -> Dakhla) and the way back will be from Dakhla -> Smara -> Zag -> Assa -> Tata -> Ouarzazate -> Marrakech (Approximately). I've learnt from forums that we should focus on route from Smara to Zag.

What should we consider and what should we be aware of on this route? If we have a map of the route and 4x4 rented car, could be there any problems? Especially with getting lost or something else?

Some people say that it's a bad idea to go there but many people like this route and say that it's ok.

PS: Do you have, somebody, experiences with renting 4x4 car in Marrakech? We have a little budget. :)

https://s31.postimg.org/x4pi5u857/Capture.png

Zag is off limits to Tourists as far as I know. The road out from Smara to Zag is one of the old Spanish roads from the days of their interest in the WS.

In 2013 the road had a fresh coat of asphalt when we joined it at roughly 27° 7'51.89"N, 10°51'19.57"W. Probably just upgraded for the military running out to the Berm a bit further East.

Thank you for your answer. What do you exactly mean by Zag is off limits? I didn't find any information that tourists are forbidden to go there or that there is too dangerous. In fact, we would just go through, if necessary, without stopping by. I'm asking because I didn't find anything on google.

In fact, I've read about possible problems on the route between Zag and Smara but not in Zag.

About 6km east of the coordinates I posted above you will reach the end of the Moroccan WS and the Sand Berm. I suspect the army will not let you travel any further east than the berm.

I also believe that the road from Assa to Zag is closed for tourists

http://morocco-knowledgebase.net/tim/map_zag_smara.png

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.

Hi

We used that route in March 2016 and did not have any problems ...
we met military on two occasions when we further south and east of your route and a long long way off road

See our Facebook Dublin Dakar

Good Luck
Maurice

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?

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 ;).

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).

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!

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.

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?

Route MW6 Assa Smara (405km but no more that 150km of dirt) is sealed as far as Labouriat, and I believe from there a good track continues west (not done it).
MW6 turns SW soon after Labouriat, all doable with good clearance but I think the small sandy gorge at KM256 may be hard work (may depend on rains).
It's only a short sandy section so I suppose you could dig and push our way across.
The descent soon after to the chott will require good clearance. South of the chott join the Zag-Smara road.
Or you could turn west on MW6 at the KM222 crossroads and work your way N and W back to Mseid. Not really a direct route but nice to be in the desert for a night

I find Bing Maps are often clearer in the desert.
Compare here.

The track west Chris mentions, takes you across to Mseid, its fast and smooth until is drops down of the plateau into the valley.

A 2wd would make it ok, cant see there being any major changes in the last couple of years.

From Mseid theres a few options to get across to the Tantan = Smara road, the ones I've done would be hard work in a 2wd with low clearance. 2019 we did pick up a newly constructed piste for few km, it isn't shown on OSM maps and I haven't been back to investigate further.

As mentioned the road from Zag via Mharbes is off limits and you will get turned back.

Done that three times in last four years with MB Sprinter RWD without any special modifications ... so possible, QED.


As others have said, most of the piste is straightforward end easy, however some relatively short sections can be challenging. Not so 4WD, what you need is a reasonable clearance on a vehicle and at least a bit of feeling for driving.


Here are some pics and comments from 2018:
Harmonija obstoja obstaja: Piste Assa - Smara

Hello we are 2 friends with rented Yamaha Tenere in Marrakech and in Jannuary we would like to cross from Zag to Smara.

The road is not fully asphalt ?
If not is it solid base or with sand that is not easy with motorbikes ?
What you can suggest regarding fuel (as our motorbikes have limited tank ?

Thanks to anyone will post infos.....
Loreno

The road from Zag to Smara is off limits to tourists. You will get stopped and sent back. It was mentioned earlier in the discussion

Thanks TheWarden, what do you think a tour from Tan Tan to Smara (rest for one night) and the following day go to El Aaiun ?
From Smara to El Aaiun is full asphalt ? Gasolin station in between ? Thanks
Loreno

yes full asphalt. Fuel in Tantan, just as you enter the Western Sahara and also in Smara and Laayoune. I don't recall anything between Smara and Laayoune but I haven't driven that road for 3 years