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Mauretania, train route to Atar then south Mauretania, train route to Atar then south
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Photo by Lois Pryce, schoolkids in Algeria

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and schoolkids in Algeria



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  #1  
Old 1 Nov 2022
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Originally Posted by backofbeyond View Post
My knowledge of the area is now well out of date but I didn't think there was a route from Atar to Boutilimit - or not a recognised one anyway. It's not that far from Nouakchott on the N3 anyway. The other route south from Atar is to Tidjikja but as a solo traveller that was a risk too far for me as it's another fuel free remote piste of around 250 miles. Again with four bikes you might be able to carry enough fuel and provide safety in numbers.

I guess you've got Chris Scott's books and checked out the current safety / security issues for the area. When are you thinking of going?
Thank You, we are going this March, now gathering all the information and preparing bikes and ourselves. As You can see, I am not choosing the main path alongside ocean, but trying to find some adventorous way in interior... When drawing straight lines on a map, it is no more than 300kms from Atar to Tidjikja, maybe this is out way. BTW do You know if we can count on resuply water in Inal (this village half-way the train route)?
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Old 1 Nov 2022
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Originally Posted by RuggedHall View Post
Thank You, we are going this March, now gathering all the information and preparing bikes and ourselves. As You can see, I am not choosing the main path alongside ocean, but trying to find some adventorous way in interior... When drawing straight lines on a map, it is no more than 300kms from Atar to Tidjikja, maybe this is out way. BTW do You know if we can count on resuply water in Inal (this village half-way the train route)?

Well if people are living there they'll need water themselves so there will be some, and water is the one thing that's usually shared, but personally I'd want to have enough to at least get to Choum without worrying.

It's tough terrain on a bike (or at least I thought it was); not so much for the effort of riding but for the consequences of things going wrong. It's hot - even in Jan, so hotter in March and gets hotter the further inland you go. Plus it gets very remote very quickly and you start realising just how dependant you are on everything working - no injuries, accidents, breakdowns etc. Maybe I'm over cautious but I looked of the logistics and risks of riding that route on my own and took the train option (picture below). With four bikes the breakdown consequences are lower but you can still only take so much fuel and water on each one.


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Old 1 Nov 2022
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I don't remember seeing anything other than abandoned shacks until we reached Ben Amira, where there is a military checkpoint. Very friendly when we stopped there and will certainly have water if still occupied, although quite possibly supplied by rail.
Is this checkpoint at Inal? I don't know - google earth may help.

Edit: Just looked at google earth. Inal looks quite large! Don't remember it at all. Maybe we were playing in the sand further south at this point in the crossing.
And no, Inal is not the Ben Amira checkpoint - that is much further on.
Last edited by mossproof; 1 Nov 2022 at 22:33.
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Old 2 Jan 2023
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Hi RuggedHall and all,

I've been considering doing the same Mauritania route, Bon Lanuar (on the border road) to Ben Amera (following the train track.) It's circa 200miles from my route planning on Basecamp.

I've actually joined HUBB to post similar questions to those you've already done!

I'll be on a motorbike (Dr650) and was hoping to get fuel and water in Ben Amera or Inal. (Perhaps not from the previous comments) Considered doing that stretch in one day, camp at the rock, then head to Atar the following day. If possible I'd like to ride to the eye of the Sahara via Chinguetti thereafter.

I'd be alone, so it's not without some apprehension i consider this particular route. (Am I mad? - I'm sure Chris Scott was considered so in the early days)

My bike is shipped from England to North Africa next week.

I don't have Chris Scotts Sahara Overland, but i do have 'Morocco Overland' and used it on three previous off-road trips to that country. I thought Sahara Overland was out of print, but would certainly acquire a copy if it's still of use? Advice appreciated.

Edit. Just found this.
https://www.madornomad.com/motorcycl...lway-crossing/

And this
https://youtu.be/UZb66G2ib6c

And this
https://advtracks.online/tracks/view...-road_piste_r2

Thank you in advance.
Last edited by dan_b; 2 Jan 2023 at 22:57.
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Old 3 Jan 2023
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Originally Posted by dan_b View Post
I'd be alone, so it's not without some apprehension i consider this particular route. (Am I mad? - I'm sure Chris Scott was considered so in the early days)
We're all different and our approach to risk varies but for me that route was too big a risk as a solo rider. I don't recall seeing another person or vehicle between Bon Lanuar and Choum when I did it on the train (although to be fair much of it was at night) and while 200 miles doesn't sound that far on tarmac it's a long way if something goes wrong - if you fall off / break down / run out of water or fuel/ get sunstroke / attacked by locusts - anything really. With somebody else or with a group, no problem; I'd have taken it on, but I remember sitting around in the campsite in Nouhadibou, discussing it with other travellers and deciding no.
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