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Ait Benhaddou to Telouet piste Ait Benhaddou to Telouet piste
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North Africa Topics specific to North Africa and the Sahara down to the 17th parallel (excludes Morocco)
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

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


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Trans Sahara Routes.

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  #1  
Old 12 Jan 2009
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Ait Benhaddou to Telouet piste
Just curious - we attempted this just before Xmas in a Landcruiser and chickened out and turned back just after where the track crosses a river and begins to climb steeply towards a radio mast. We were alone and are not very experienced - when the route narrowed and the tyres began to slip we backed down to the ford and retraced our steps! I'm interested to know what the route was like if we had carried on - did it improve again? Up until that point we had felt quite happy!!
We di a bit of the track the other way from Telouet last year with a 2 wheel drive, but turned back at the next village - how much did we actually miss this time? I'm still keen to do the whole lot - the views were great.
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Old 12 Jan 2009
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I've done it twice on bikes, once in 2005, the other in 2006, both times riding south. It's easier going south than north, due to some big steps.

I know where you mean with the river crossing. In 2006 I came across a Spanish 4x4 that had rolled over just north of there. Some pics on post #12 of this thread.

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Old 13 Jan 2009
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Tim,

I just read your ride report on the link you posted, those photos are great, they really capture the essence of a great trip and a beautiful country.

Lee
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Old 13 Jan 2009
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Thank you!
Thanks Tim, really interesting! Didn't realise it was easier N to S, however the pic of the rolled 4 x4 makes me think we were probably wise to stop when we got nervous. We returned the way we came then continued towards the pass on the main road, to find that we had to turn back because of snow before the top of the pass (not our decision - everyone was going back), so probably the last bit of the loop road would have been in snow too, which confirmed our feeling that we had decided wisely!
May try it N to S next time!
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Old 14 Jan 2009
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South to North
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Originally Posted by thestens View Post
Thanks Tim, really interesting! Didn't realise it was easier N to S, however the pic of the rolled 4 x4 makes me think we were probably wise to stop when we got nervous. We returned the way we came then continued towards the pass on the main road, to find that we had to turn back because of snow before the top of the pass (not our decision - everyone was going back), so probably the last bit of the loop road would have been in snow too, which confirmed our feeling that we had decided wisely!
May try it N to S next time!
Just to add to Tim's info, if you are travelling from South to North there is a particularly tricky section. I guide through here regularly as it's our last day on two of our off-road routes, going South to North back to Marrakech. It does get easier after this stepped, rocky section, but it can be chancy. In general it's easier on a bike than in a 4x4 as you can pick your line. However, I am only experienced in taking riders on enduro bikes with suitable tyres, mousses and protective riding gear. I'm not sure I could recommend any chances to be taken on a bigger bike, with luggage etc. For instance, we have experienced waist high melt water coming down from the mountains in spring and have carried (physically) bikes over the crossings, having removed wheels and petrol tanks etc. So you get the idea. Perhaps a rule of thumb is, if others are turning back, it's for a reason.
Hope this helps. Can recommend Cafe Assanfou on the top of the pass if you do make it through S to N, tagine or pizza and good Italian coffee machine!
T
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