Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > North Africa
Piste Update R2 - Nouadhibou to Atar Piste Update R2 - Nouadhibou 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 Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

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


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



Trans Sahara Routes.

Like Tree4Likes

Reply
Page 3 of 3 12 3
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #31  
Old 29 Mar 2016
jasminamiika's Avatar
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 17
We did this a year ago. With landcruiser and motorbike. We carried our friend's stuff in our car. A lot of sand, if you stop in a wrong place you will be stuck, a lot of dynes. Took us 3 days to get to Atar. Take extra fuel. We also took extra fuel to our friend on a motorbike, it was needed. It was hard to find the starting route, but all the tracks leads to the same place, just follow the train track. We drove next to it, not on it. People who drove on it, got several punctures.
It was tough, but absolutely worth of it. Sleeping in a night, when its so quiet and no one around.
There are little villages on a way, we later heard that you were supposed to stop in every of those, we did not stop in one.
Safety wise no problem.
Reply With Quote
  #32  
Old 4 Apr 2016
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Austria
Posts: 193
I understand the last fuel will be available at Boulenouar (See: OpenStreetMap)

Quote:
There are little villages on a way
Yes, when looking at the map one will discover some small settlements like:

Like here: OpenStreetMap

Inal: 21,17,360N 14,59,740W
OpenStreetMap

Tmeimichat: 21,14,330N 14,22,585W
OpenStreetMap

I understand there won't be any fuel available along the way.
Will I find a basic accommodation at one of the villages?
Will we get water there?

Cheers,
Wauschi
__________________
One life - live it
Reply With Quote
  #33  
Old 10 Apr 2016
Overland Tonka's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Originally London. Now driving my Toyota.
Posts: 191
Just a note to say, as i don't think it has been mentioned, there is the original piste and a new piste 100mtr's or so south of the original one which has much less corrugations etc.
__________________
Facebook " Kevin Heike " come and say Hello as we travel around the world.
Reply With Quote
  #34  
Old 21 Apr 2016
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: May 2014
Location: UK
Posts: 52
Just completed...had some entertainment joining at Bou Lanouar, did a bit of freestyle routing - the dune sections have some tricky bits but once you lose the urge urge to follow other tracks (there often aren't any...it's been windy) it's lots of fun.

You don't have to stop at all villages, but there are a couple of checkpoints with friendly officers at a couple.

One of those checkpoints, village about 2/3 distance, has a 'building' next to it with 'Auberge' written on the side...if that answers the accommodation question? I found a hollow in the dunes...just me, the camels, and the occasional train.

I was pleased and lazy to find extensive blacktop from soon after where the corner-cut from KM400 joins the Choum-Atar piste/road. Thanks Chris for the route notes, and also the book we've been following through Morocco....it's been entertaining!
Reply With Quote
  #35  
Old 22 Apr 2016
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Oxford UK
Posts: 2,116
You don't have any pictures or waypoints or anything you could post up do you? I'd be interested to see anything you've got as this has been on my to-ride list for many years. I've "done it" on the train but as it went by night I didn't see much.

Did I read correctly that the Choum - Atar part is now a tarred road rather than the sandy piste it was when I was last there?
Reply With Quote
  #36  
Old 23 Apr 2016
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: May 2014
Location: UK
Posts: 52
Hi - sorry for slow, brief reply...internet in Mauritania not up to Morocco standard!

I got the wayponts from here somewhere - Chris Scott's pages from book, which I had a print of. He has also posted the waypoints in gpx or kml. [Edit: In fact, having bought Sahara-Overland and Morocco Overland, the waypoint files and other support material are available online directly, I don't believe they are posted on here after all...hazy memory! The waypoints themselves are not that interesting without the commentary which goes with them - "keep the railway on your North and pick your own route through dune sections (using railway if necessary)" would probably do as well as just the waypoints.

If you want to see my exact route, its on the tracker page here
https//www.veganwithoutfrontiers.com/tracking

You'll need a password at the moment for the map, message me and I'll send it.

Tarmac is not quite yet all the way to Choum, but if you take the corner-cut from the end of the dunes you'll hit the roadworks at the beginning of it...

Have fun!
Last edited by Vegan Without Frontiers; 25 Apr 2016 at 11:14.
Reply With Quote
  #37  
Old 23 Apr 2016
Chris Scott's Avatar
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jun 2000
Posts: 4,913
As I understood it, what VWF meant is that when you take the shortcut cross-country from KM408 just after the last dunes and head SE towards Atar, at some stage before the original N1 piste on map below - you encounter a new road from Atar direct to Choum and eventually Zouerat (as mentioned here) where the Bab map shows the planned road.
There were always tracks here as it was a direct way to Choum (and the train) from Atar. The current N1 goes east of the ridge for Zouerat, avoiding Choum.

The railway today cuts a corner of the PFZ west of the ridge on it's way to Zouerat mines. But in the 1960s when PFZ was Spanish Rio de Oro province, out of spite (it's said) the French build a 2-km tunnel under/around the corner, rather than accept Spain's conditions to cross their territory. Probably the same reason the N1 goes west of the ridge. Google 'Choum tunnel'.
You wonder if the new road might follow the rails via PFZ briefly, or just squeeze through.
(Fyi, a pre-Islamic crescent tomb 3km north of the old tunnel's northern exit).
Attached Thumbnails
Piste Update R2 - Nouadhibou to Atar-qeg.jpg  

Last edited by Chris Scott; 23 Apr 2016 at 15:26.
Reply With Quote
Reply
Page 3 of 3 12 3

« 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

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Piste Update M13 - Assa to Smara Matt Roach North Africa 0 7 Jan 2007 01:21
desert piste or coast piste to Atar fons North Africa 7 1 Apr 2005 20:17
Piste from Nouadhibou to Choum Ian North Africa 18 23 Aug 2004 22:56
Piste route from Nouadhibou to Noakchott greenbug North Africa 7 25 Dec 2002 03:53
road conditions Ndjamena-Abeche and in Sudan john-l North Africa 14 2 Apr 2002 18:42

 
 

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.

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. 11-14
  • 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 23:37.

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