Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > North Africa
desert piste or coast piste to Atar desert piste or coast piste to Atar
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 Alessio Corradini, on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia, of two locals

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


Photo by Alessio Corradini,
on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia,
of two locals



Trans Sahara Routes.

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 31 Mar 2005
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 46
desert piste or coast piste to Atar
Hi guys,
from Mauri and Morocco border, which way is more easy to get in Atar? by desert piste along the railway or coast piste via Nouakchott?


my car is a range rover classic. 2 persons


cheers
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 1 Apr 2005
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: France and UK
Posts: 156
Hi Fons
I took the coast road from Nouadhibou to Nuakchott which was fun, colourful and not too difficult. I took a guide which probably added to the pleasure, and the trip took three days.
My info is probably out of date now, last trip was 5 years ago.
I then drove up the old Nouakchott to Atar road which was well broken up and a very uncomfortable ride, but easy to find. You’ll find some info on this on my website, front page, click on the ‘Chinguetti’ link.
Another traveller drove on a course parallel to the old road, about 20 miles east, using GPS. He had a much better time.
Next time I’ll take the railway route out… and the parallel route back.
Good travels - Kitmax


------------------
Kitmax - Traveller
Desert Pictures at
http://www.kitmax.com/kitmax/kit03ph...velgallery.htm
homepage http://www.kitmax.com
__________________
Kitmax
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 1 Apr 2005
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: zürich
Posts: 292
salut fons
we did the Atar - Nouakchott tarroad a few weeks ago: No problem at all, easy driving.

The train piste could be a problem when you are not used to drive in soft sand and when you travel alone. If you drive too close to the railway there are a lot of metal parts on the ground! In Choum there was good Diesel available in March(barrels).

There is a third road tar/piste between Bou Lanouar and Nouakchott not completely finished last month.

Ursula



[This message has been edited by ursula (edited 01 April 2005).]
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 1 Apr 2005
ctc ctc is offline
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Lincolnshire, England
Posts: 249
The easiest way is via the coast road / beach piste and then take the tarmac to Atar. This route is however longer.

Nouachott is good for spares and a cold so you might want to go there anyway.

I suppose it depends upon whether you are doing a loop and going back to Morocco or whether you are heading South to West Africa and perhaps beyond.

If you are doing a loop I would do both routes - ie beach piste on the way down and come back along railway line.

If I was heading south I would be keen to restock in Nouachott (and so would do the beach piste) and then take the tarmac to Atar.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 1 Apr 2005
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 46
hei guys,
thanx a lot for ur reply. very impressive.

I think i will go via desert piste if I find another accompany with me. Otherwise i'd better to take the beach piste to Nouakchott,then new road to Atar.

However, how difficult is that desert piste? sure i have never try to drive in desert. but I bought some decent recovery tools. Air jack and sand mats. of course also the shovel. And most important navigation tool, GPS.

so with those assistance, can i go on that route? need some opinions.


thanks again/Fons

Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 1 Apr 2005
ctc ctc is offline
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Lincolnshire, England
Posts: 249
Only do the route if you are

a) Confident that your vehicle is "sound" menchanically.
b) You are accompanied by another 4wd

and

c) Someone who is an experienced desert driver (i.e. a guide or someone who has done a desert expedition before).

If you have not driven in the desert before you will undoubtably get stuck which can be stressful and exhausting until you get the hang of it and it becomes routine.

Therefore if you do make the desert route make sure you are confident in using your air jack etc. You do not want to be reading the instruction manual for the first time when you get stuck in the sand with the sun beating down. It can also be tricky to release the air out of an air jack safely. So it is doubly important in your case.

Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 1 Apr 2005
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: F
Posts: 856
I've done these routes one year ago (one Defender ; 2 people).
The easiest and the more beautiful way is the coastal one (No guide is necessary to do that ) but the faster one is along the railway : with a very good guide we did it in only one day beetween Nouadhibou and Atar ( He knew all the detours and passages , so we were never stuck in sand ).
Have a nice trip .
RR.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 1 Apr 2005
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Porto, Portugal
Posts: 258
Hi,

The Railway piste is very easy to drive.
But, don't drive to close to the railway due to the debries (puncture risk) and always south of the railway, because there is the risk of mines to the north.
The new edition of Sahara Overland has the waypoints for this piste.

The piste now begins in Bou Lanour at the police checkpoint on the southern exit of the village.

However, I agree 100% with CTC: only do it alone if you have previous experience in desert driving and if you feel very confident on your vehicle reliability.

Cheers,
José
__________________
Desert Crocodiles of Mauritania: http://cibio.up.pt/crocodilos/en
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

 
 

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.

2024:

  • California: April 18-21
  • Virginia: April 25-28
  • Germany Summer: May 9-12
  • Québec: May 17-19
  • Bulgaria Mini: July 5-7
  • CanWest: July 11-14
  • Switzerland: August 15-18
  • Ecuador: August 23-25
  • Romania: August 30-Sept 1
  • Austria: September 12-15
  • France: September 20-22
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 31-Nov 3

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. 11-15
  • 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 00:26.

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