Cycling the Western Sahara

The Western Sahara cycle route runs from Guelmim in Morocco via Mauritania to Saint-Louis in Senegal. It is 2,100 km (1,300 mi) through the Western Sahara, crossing the westernmost part of the Sahara (bordering the sea) while avoiding disputed territories controlled by the SADR (Saharan Arab Democratic Republic).

Understand

The route is asphalted from Morocco to Senegal. Only a few kilometers along the Moroccan-Mauritanian border are soft slopes (as of 2006). There are supply possibilities at the latest every 150 km (93 mi), which corresponds to 2–3 days. This route is the easiest way to cross from North Africa to the Sub-Sahara countries by bike (as of 2006).

Geography

The Western Sahara is divided geographically into a northern part, from the Cape Boujdour, where flat-corrugated gravel and deserts (Hammada) dominate. The terrain gradually rises from the coast to the interior of the country to a height of about 400 meters. The southern region is almost completely flat with isolated sand dunes (erg), which provide only a little variety in the uniform, almost vegetation-free gerbera.

Grassy and bushy areas as well as acacia mark the transition from the desert steppe to the Saw Saw in Southern Mauritania.

Animal species adapted to the dry habitat are found, for example, scorpions, snakes, Jaculus jerboas and spiny-tailed lizards. In the caves on the Atlantic coast, especially on the Cabo Blanco peninsula near Nouadhibou in Mauritania, live the largest populations of the endangered Mediterranean monk seal.

Spiny-tailed lizard (Uromastycinae)
Fat-tailed scorpion (Androctonus australis)
Puff adder (Bitis arietans)

Climate

The Sahara is a turning-desert, caused by the constant, dry-hot north-east trade wind. Even in the age of shipping, the trade winds served as powerful tow-lifts. On the bike, you are constantly pushed southwards by the wind. It also transports a lot of dust and sand near the ground.

Especially in the spring and autumn strong deep-pressure areas can suck Saharaluft over the Mediterranean. The dry, hot south-south-east sand and dust winds, the Schirokko, are formed. Due to the large amounts of sand dust, the air turns yellowish-reddish-brown. The strong headwind can make it difficult to get to the South and quickly get you into an unpleasant situation.

Along the coast, north of Nouakchott, the temperatures are moderate due to the balancing influence of the Atlantic. The cold canal stream provides for the cooling, but is also responsible for the powerful fog in the coastal area. Around the turn of the year it has 20 °C (68 °F), in September and October the temperature rises to 30 °C (86 °F).

On the coast south of Nouakchott and in the region along the Senegal river the temperature around the turn of the year is 20–24 °C (68–75 °F) and it rises to 30–34 °C (86–93 °F) in July. Especially in the south, the humidity is significantly higher with a rainy season in July–October with a total of 400 mm (16 in) of precipitation.

Climate chart Ad Dakhla
	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Average maximum temperature	20,9	22,7	23,7	23,3	24	24,8	25,7	26,5	27,4	26,6	25,1	22,5
Average minimum temperature	13,3	13,8	14,7	14,9	15,8	16,7	17,5	18,3	18,8	18	16,6	14,5
Average precipitation	2	3	1	0	0	0	1	2	11	6	3	10

Climate chart Nouakchott
	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Average maximum temperature	28,8	30,4	32,5	32,8	34	33,3	31,7	32,1	34,1	34,9	32,7	29,2
Average minimum temperature	12,7	14,3	16,7	17,8	19,6	21,8	23,4	24,1	24,3	21,8	18	14
Average precipitation	0	2	2	0	0	0	14	37	28	7	1	7

Climate chart Saint Louis
	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Average maximum temperature	30	32.1	33.6	33.9	33.9	33.8	32.4	32.8	33.6	35	33.6	30.7
Average minimum temperature	15.4	16.1	17.5	18.2	19.6	22.1	23.6	24.3	24.3	22.6	19.3	16
Average precipitation	1.6	1.3	0.4	0	0.4	7.6	42.4	89.7	84.9	24	0.9	1.3

Travel time and distance

The Western Sahara is, in principle, passable all year round. Rain is rare and mist formation occurs mainly near the coast. The temperatures are tempered by the proximity to the sea. The wind blows mostly from north to south, only in the spring and autumn one must reckon with opposite wind through the Shirokko. The winter months with the coolest temperatures and stable trade winds have a slight advantage in the choice of travel time.

Due to the trade winds, covering 80 km (50 mi) in a day is realistic. That would require about 30 days from Guelmin to Saint Louis, plus time for stays in the larger cities and for border crossings.

Prepare

The situation can change dramatically along the route. Settlements can change, roads can become impassable through wandering dikes. Much of the information on the Internet or in books refer to the route before 2005, when the road was not yet developed. At that time large sections had to be crossed over sandy slopes. So always check that your information is up to date.

Therefore, accurate searches are required before departure. Locals are a valuable resource, as are other travellers.

Stay healthy

Water is surely the first thing that comes to mind when travelling through the desert. The daily per capita consumption of drinking water is about 5 liters. For tours further inland, with extreme temperatures, up to 6 liters and more. Add the water needed for cooking.

It is best to avoid the midday heat and bike in the early morning and afternoon. In the case of the large liquid loss by sweating, the salt loss should also be compensated for. The World Health Organization recommends, for each liter of water, a teaspoon of salt and 6 teaspoons of sugar. However, too much salt or sugar can aggravate dehydration. The Rehydration Project uses only half a teaspoon of salt with 6 teaspoons of sugar per liter of water. Contrary to popular opinion one can not adapt to water deficiency.

Cooking

The consumption of water for cooking can be reduced by using water-saving food. You need a cup of water for a cup of couscous and, for rice, twice the amount.

The supply of gas cartridges is scarce in the Western Sahara. Benzine fuel is available in every major place.

Cycling

First choice would be a touring bicycle. With 28" tires you can get on the asphalt fast and are nevertheless armed for desert descents. Ideally a bike with a steel frame as if repairs are required steel welding tools can be found more commonly than aluminum welding tools.

Sand and dust act like sandpaper on the sprockets and the chain expands under stress. To increase longevity you can take two or three chains and change every 800–1,000 km (500–620 mi). This means that you can reach distances of up to 10,000 km (6,200 mi). Then you should change the entire drive system.

Get in

Guelmim is the last place before the desert and starting point of the bike tour. Guelmim itself is a small town and has only bus connections. The nearest major cities with airports are 31.51-9.761 Essaouira (Arabic: الصويرة ), 400 km (250 mi) from Guelmin , And 30.414444-9.5838892 Agadir (Arabic: أكادير), 200 km (120 mi) from Guelmin. There are bus connections to 29.685-9.7253 Tiznit (Arabic: تيزنيت). From there it is another 110 km (68 mi) to Guelmin.

Go

23°26′24″N 12°3′36″W

Map of Cycling the Western Sahara

28.983333-10.0666671 Guelmim (Arabic: كلميم, also Goulimine or Guelmin) is a provincial capital of about 12,000 inhabitants in the Guelmim-Oued Noun. The place Bir Anzarane is the center of the city. Here you can find the 28.98652-10.057121 Banque Populaire with ATM and the 28.987601-10.0564631 post office. The 28.994806-10.0572771 bus station is north of the square, along the Blvd Moulay Rachid.

From Guelmin to Tan Tan (130 km (81 mi))

Leaving Guelmin via Avenue 3 Mars, head south-west. Past the Mosque of Guelmin you pass the city gate.

28.9582-10.11361 Crossing the Oued Siyad.
28.83335-10.2565671 Café Blue House (25 km (16 mi) past Guelmin). (updated Feb 2006)
28.8135-10.35752 Turnoff to Ait Yassine and Aferkat.
28.8068-10.40593 Bus stop, turnoff to Labyar (Arabic: البيار) (44 km (27 mi) past Guelmin). (updated Feb 2006)
Simple restaurant (50 km (31 mi) past Guelmin). (updated Feb 2006)
28.66815-10.63624 Settlement Rass Oumlil with Restaurant and Magasin (70 km (43 mi) past Guelmin). (updated Feb 2006)
Viewpoint (88 km (55 mi) past Guelmin). (updated Feb 2006)
28.5279-10.9475 Crossing the Oued Draa. which, after its long journey from Zagora, flows through the desert just a few kilometers further west into the sea.

Tan Tan

28.434067-11.0790176 Tan-Tan (Arabic: طانطان, also al-Hamra, the Red) with 70,000 inhabitants is the capital of the province of the same name in the Guelmim-Oued Noun region. The city is located south of the main street Ave Hassan II, on which one finds the 28.43768-11.1005477 post and the bank 28.438621-11.1018038 BMCE, with ATM, next to the Shell gas station. The second main road is the Ave Mohammed V, which crosses the city to the south. There is the 28.435193-11.1047959 Banque Populaire and the 28.4276-11.109610 Busstation (Gare Routiére) at Place de la Marche Verte in the south of Ave Mohammed V. The 28.4457-11.159411 airport of Tan Tan Plage Blanche Airport (TTA^IATA) is located 8 km (5.0 mi) west of the N1. It is served by the Royal Air Maroc, which connects Tan Tan with Casablanca and Guelmin.

From Tan Tan to Tarfaya (213 km (132 mi))

If you leave Tan Tan to the west on the N1 you reach the turnoff to the airport after 6 km (3.7 mi). A kilometer further on, the R101 turns of left, which leads to Smara (Arabic: السمارة), some 240 km (150 mi) away in the south. Shortly thereafter, a track on the right leads to the Atlantic Ocean, 35 km (22 mi) away, from Oued Drâa. 25 km (16 mi) to Tan Tan you can reach 28.498-11.33162 El Ouatia (Arabic: الوطية, auch Tan Tan Plage). There is guarded parking on the beach

El Ouatia

El Ouatia, with its 6500 inhabitants, is one of the largest fishing ports in Morocco. The city is becoming increasingly popular among surfers and offers many hotels. At the entrance to the city you pass a roundabout from which the N1 turns southwards. Go straight ahead into the city. The road to the north leads to the mouth of Oued Drâa, 30 km (19 mi) away, into the Atlantic. Next to the roundabout is the 28.485-11.32211 Hotel Korea House (+212 641-431661).

28.4941-11.33652 Camping Atlantique Tantan.
28.4918-11.33753 Camp Sables d'Or.
28.4913-11.33794 Camping Equinox Tan Tan.
28.4969-11.33515 Riad Essadia.
28.4982-11.33416 Hotel La Belle Vue, ☏ +212 662021619, labellevuehotel@gmail.com.
28.4955-11.33272 Café Asfi.
28.4961-11.33311 Restaurant Bergach.

The N1 follows its way south to Akhfenir , very close to the imposing cliff. After about 35 km (22 mi) you cross the 28.2899-11.5331 Oued Chbika. Climbing up the Wadi, you hit a checkpoint with supply possibilities.

28.2028-11.779512 Oued crossing.
28.175-11.880613 Oued crossing (70 km (43 mi) past El-Ouatia). (updated Feb 2006)
28.107-12.03814 Devil's hole (French: Gouffre d'Akhfenir or Trou du diable). (updated Feb 2006). A hole about 25 meters in diameter and 30 meters deep

28.095283-12.05003315 Akhfenir (about 90 km (56 mi) post Ouatia). (updated Feb 2006)

Akhfenir

South of Akhfenir is one of the largest wind parks in Africa with 131 wind turbines on an area of over 8,900 hectares. A piste leads from Akhfenir to the wind farm, 20 km (12 mi) away, that was listed in the Jeune Afrique magazine as one of the ten most outstanding projects in Africa.

28.0952-12.04887 Hotel Restaurant Atlas.
28.096483-12.0474548 Hotel Sahara Beach.
28.095479-12.0512462 Pâtisserie Oumaïma.
28.0937-12.054716 Gas station.
28.095479-12.0512469 ^{[dead link]} Hôtel La Corniche, ☏ +212 661-224250.
28.090979-12.06870510 ^{[formerly dead link]} La Courbine d'argent.

From Akhfenir the coast becomes flatter again. After approximately 10 km (6.2 mi) the N1 turns off the coast and runs in an arc around the 27.989-12.361 Khenifiss National Park (Arabic: المنتزه الوطني اخنيفيس, french: Parc National de Khenifiss).

Khenifiss National Park

The Khenifiss National Park was established in 2006, from the natural reserve of the time, and covers 1,850 km² (710 sq mi). The park was listed as an UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site in 1998. The park is located on the largest lagoon on the Moroccan coast. Ruddy shelducks (Tadorna ferruginea), marbled ducks (Marmaronetta angustirostris) and Audouin's gulls (Ichthyaetus audouinii) breed here. The mainland is characterized by sabkhas, shallow basins, which are only temporarily watered. Cuvier's gazelles (Gazella cuvieri) were also seen here. In Akhfenir there are numerous guides for tours to the national park. For photo excursions see Rosa Frei Photography, Ouarzazate, rosa@rosafrei.com. .

Sand dunes in the national park
Ruddy shelduck
Marbled duck
Audouin's gull
Cuvier's gazelle

After the national park, the N1 meets the coast again. You pass, about 163 km (101 mi) to Ouatia, a small 27.987217-12.61671 café without WC on the coast and a 27.975817-12.70916717 wreck on the beach.

After 35 km (22 mi) you reach a petrol station at the 27.947-12.88562 crossing before Tarfaya. The N1 turns south towards El Aaiún. If you follow the road straight, you reach 27.933333-12.9166673 Tarfaya (Arabic: طرفاية) after 5 km (3.1 mi). Worth seeing the museum on the post flights and Fort Jubly. There is a banc with ATM in town.

Tarfaya

Tarfaya is a small town with a population of more than 8,000 at Cape Juby in the Laâyoune-Sakia El Hamra region. The city is the administrative center of the province of the same name.

The main road through the city is the Ave Ahmed Haidar. In the west you can see the 27.939579-12.9287952 Banque Populaire. On the beach is a monument, in the form of a green plane, for the post flights. Among other things, the writer and pilot Antoine de Saint-Exupéry was stationed here. There is also the 27.943889-12.9249991 Museum Antoine de St Exupery, which is 1 km (0.62 mi) from the coast. One kilometer off the coast are the ruins of the fortress 27.946237-12.93094818 Casa Mar, built by the English in the 1880s. At the beginning of 2008, a ferry service between Tarfaya and Puerto del Rosario on Fuerteventura was opened. This gave Tarfaya a modest economic upturn until the car ferry Assalama leaked in the port of Tarfaya in April 2008 and stranded in the shallow waters where it is still today.

27.94025-12.9278211 Hotel Casamar, ☏ +212 5288-95326.
28.437283-12.92336212 Hotel Canalina, Ave Mohamed V (next to the Centre de Santé), ☏ +212 641 785 521.
27.93899-12.926053 Cafe Boufous, Ave Ahmed Haidar.
27.9392-12.9259219 Attijariwafa bank, Rue Mejjat.
27.9394-12.9260120 Pharmacie de Place Saint Exupery, Ave Qaied Baba Ahmed Oueld Youssef.
27.93913-12.9256221 Post.
27.9385-12.923913 Snack Restaurant Le9 Delice.
27.94194-12.92691 Marché municipial.

From Tarfaya to El Aaiún (104 km (65 mi))

Leaving the city south, you reach a 27.93274-12.9304122 roundabout. The road straight to the south leads back to the N1. On the right a road branches off, which follows the coast to Foum ed Oued (state unknown). After 30 km (19 mi) on the N1 you reach 27.675125-12.95738423 Tah, a small town with cafe, motel and fuel. In the center is a monument for the Green March. 45 km (28 mi) past Tarfaya, you pass the turn-off for Daoura (Dawra). After 100 km (62 mi) you reach 27.15-13.224 El Aaiún.

El Aaiún

El Aaiún (Arabic: العيون, also Laâyoune) is the largest city in the territory administered by Morocco and the capital of the Moroccan administrative region Laâyoune-Sakia El Hamra.

Most banks, hotels and the post office are located on Blvd Hassan II or Blvd de Mekka. The most important square of the city is the 27.15767-13.2072725 Place du Mechouar.

El Aaiun Hassan I Airport (ICAO: GSAI / GMML) is 2 km (1.2 mi) southwest of the N1. It is most often fueled by Royal Air Maroc and Canarian Binter Canarias. The destinations are spread over three countries: Las Palmas (Spain), Agadir, Casablanca, Ad Dakhla and Rabat (Morocco) and Paris-Orly (France).

Buy

27.15078-13.2000126 Banque Populaire, Place Dchira.
27.14967-13.1994727 BMCE, Place Dchira.
27.16209-13.20320228 BMCE, Place Hassan II.
27.15004-13.1984329 Royal Air Maroc, Place Dchira.
27.15823-13.205562 Ensemble Artisanale, Blvd de Mekka.

See

27.16316-13.2057830 Spanish Cathedrale Franz von Assisi, Ave Hassan II. situated in a nice parc
27.1625-13.2038831 Souq Djal. the livelist part of town and has the best restaurants
27.15716-13.2046132 Moulay Abdel Aziz Mosque, Blvd Moulay Youssef.
Smara (Arabic: السمارة), capital of the province Es Semara is accessible via the N5. It is 240 km (150 mi) into the interior in an almost vegetationless solid stone and sand desert.

From El Aaiún to Boujdour (193 km (120 mi))

The Ave Mohammed V crosses the N1 at Place du Mechouar, which leads west from the city. Past the airport it turns 13 km (8.1 mi) after the Place du Mechouar sharp south to El Marsa. At the bend, the road branches off to 27.171882-13.401444 Foum el Oued, which is reached after a further 6 km (3.7 mi).

Foum el Oued

Foum el Oued (Arabic: فم الواد), also known as the Riviera of the Sahara is particularly popular among the locals.

27.176367-13.39328313 Camping Nil. (updated Feb 2006),clean, cold water only, restaurant only in summer

From Foum el Oued it is 10 km (6.2 mi) across the coastal road Ave Ennahda to 27.09565-13.4115675 El Marsa

El Marsa

El Marsa (Arabic: المرسى, also Laâyoune Plage) with about 10,000 inhabitants is the last city to Boujdour, 160 km (99 mi) further south. There are some simple cafes and shops.

27.0976-13.41464 Café el Puerto.
Hotel Marsa, Ave Hassan II.

Shortly after the southern end of the station, crossing the N1 is the world's longest 27.0437-13.415133 conveyor belt. It transports the phosphate from the mining town of Bou Craa (Arabic: أبوكراع) to the port of loading at El Marsa.

26.905384-13.45970134 turn-off for Plage Kerouma (22 km towards El Marsa). (updated Feb 2006) with restaurant at the beach
26.540354-13.84327835 Lamsid (Arabic: لمسيد) (82 km nach El Marsa). , fuel station with restaurant

80 km past Lamsid is 26.133333-14.48333336 Boujdour.

Boujdour

Boujdour (Arabic: بوجدور) is the small city in the province of Laayoune-Sakia El Hamra at Cape Bojador (Arabic: رأس بوجادور, french: Cape Boujdour), with 45,000 inhabitants. It forms the western foothills of the mountain range Jebel el Aswad in the Sahara and was considered in the Middle Ages as the western end of the world (finis terrae). Here you will find the highest sand dunes (Erg), up to 130 m, in the mostly flat coastal region of the Hammada.

Along the N1, which passes through the city as Ave Hassan II, are the most important shops, restaurants and hotels.

26.1305-14.47754 CTM.
26.1327-14.472937 fuel station. (updated Jul 2017)
26.127-14.48238 Post.
26.1249-14.48183 Marché.
26.12624-14.4845339 Taxi Station.
26.12355-14.475240 bus station (Gare Routiére). (updated Jul 2017)
26.12672-14.483544 Café Marina.
26.12766-14.4828214 Hôtel Al Qods.
26.1272-14.4809915 Hotel Manarat, hotelmanaratboujdour@gmail.com.

From Boujdour to Ad-Dakhla (345 km)

25.969167-14.50166741 two wrecks (18 km past Boujdour). (updated Feb 2006)
25.957794-14.5196442 wreck. (updated Feb 2006)
24.975167-14.815455 Café (140 km past Boujdour). (updated Feb 2006)
24.91085-14.819956 fuel station Sahara (148 km past Boujdour). (updated Feb 2006)
24.6687-14.86968343 Oued Karaa (Arabic: واد لكراع, Echtoucan) (180 km past Boujdour). (updated Feb 2006)
24.072131-15.58339844 N'Tireft (Arabic: نتيرفت).
24.060617-15.57058345 unbekannt (280 km past Boujdour and 60 km to Dakhla). (updated Feb 2006)
23.892225-15.6728846 crossing Dakhla-Argoub. (updated Jul 2017)
23.900533-15.78648347 Unofficial camping site (10 km past the turn-off to Dakhla). (updated Feb 2006)

Ad-Dakhla

23.716667-15.9548 Ad-Dakhla is the southernmost city in the Western Sahara and the capital of the Dakhla-Oued Ed Dahab region.

Dakhla lies on plains that are 38 km long and 4 km wide. These extend to the south-west, parallel to the coast, and enclose the Rio de Oro bay. The adjoining mainland and the peninsula consist of a nearly vegetationless sand and cliff (reg). The north coast of the peninsula, which is open to the sea, is situated between short, rocky stretches of kilometers of sandy beaches which are not yet accessible only because of the great distance to the tourist resorts of Morocco. The city stretches along the east side of the peninsula with the Blvd Mohammed V as a waterfront promenade. To the north, parallel to the main commercial street Boulevard Walae. In the south, the business district surrounds the large mosque. The airport of Dakhla is connected several times a week from Casablanca.

Get around

23.6904-15.94272 Grande Taxi.

See and do

23.70149-15.92849 Church Notre Dame de Carmen.

Buy

23.6877-15.949750 Große Moschee.
23.6903-15.94684 CTM Busse.
23.6899-15.94525 BMCE Bank.
23.6898-15.93796 Banque Populaire.

Eat

23.6912-15.94017 Marché Municipal Couvert, Boulevard Al Masjid.
23.69031-15.941178 Boulangerie.
23.68963-15.941669 Supermarché Errihimi.
23.68895-15.9417110 Supermarché Aït Oubaha, Rue Oued Tansift.
23.6885-15.9417711 Bakery Assalam, Rue Oued Tansift.
23.68904-15.9416712 Café Oued Eddahab.
23.69665-15.931413 Restaurant Samarkand, Blvd Mohammed V.

Sleep

23.6898-15.937616 ^{[dead link]} Hotel Erraha.
23.70205-15.92817 Sahara Regency, ☏ +212 5289-31666.
23.70756-15.9238218 ^{[dead link]} Hotel Imperial Playa, Ave Mohammed V, ☏ +212 5288-92212.

from Ad-Dakhla to Guerguerat (367 km)

23.5591-15.899214 El Argoub (Arabic: العرڭوب) (40 km past the crossing Dakhla-Arghoub). (updated Feb 2006)
23.234366-16.08959651 Imlili (Arabic: إمليلي) (45 km past El Argoub). (updated Feb 2006)
23.2078-16.09548352 Tankstelle Chica (50 km past El Argoub). (updated Feb 2006)
22.054617-16.747419 Barbas (Arabic: بئر كندوز) (210 km past El Argoub). (updated Feb 2006)
rock landscape (30 km past Barbas). (updated Jul 2017)
Sendemast einer Radarstation (50 km nach Barbas).
rock landscape (shortly before Guerguerat). (updated Jul 2017)
21.426682-16.96205453 Guerguerat (Arabic: ڭرڭورات مغربية) (80 km nach Barbas).

Border Morocco-Mauretania

21.362167-16.96063354 Customs office (7 km past Guerguerat). (updated Feb 2006)
21.3338-16.947355 Bir Guendouz. (updated Feb 2006)

from the border to Nouadhibou (60 km)

21.285567-16.89121756 Passing the ore line and the crossing Nouadhibou-Nouakchott (20 km past Guerguerat, 40 km to Nouadhibou, 40 km to Bou Lanouar, 430 km to Nouakchott). (updated Jul 2017)

Nouadhibou

20.95-17.03333357 Nouadhibou is located on the protected east side of the Ras Nouadhibou land, which stretches for 40 km into the Atlantic Ocean and borders Dakhlet Nouadhibou (formerly Baie du Lévrier). To the north is the most populous district, Numerowat, which is divided into six Robinets (French: waterway). In the center, at the northern end of the semicircular Cansado Bay, lies the business district (simply Ville), on the straight main road Blvd Médian and the parallel Blvd Maritim, to the east, parallel to it lie banks, exchange offices, police and sales. Eight kilometers south of the town center is the district of Cansado (Spanish: tired). Just north of Cansado, a five-kilometer road branches off to the west coast to the ruins of La Gouira, a former Spanish trading center. The southern tip of the peninsula has been declared a National Park, where, apart from Mauritanian soldiers and a 20.7721-17.047658 lighthouse, some of the rare Mediterranean monk seals are still to be found. 20.771794-17.04688459 wreck.

Nouadhibou has an international airport (NDB^IATA). There are regular flights to Nouakchott and irregular to the airport of Gran Canaria.

Buy

20.9486-17.03827 Market.
20.9136-17.04938 Bank (BCM).
20.9081-17.05279 Bank (BMCI).

Eat and drink

20.9176-17.045615 Restaurant Quijote.

Sleep

20.931117-17.03583320 Auberge La Chinguetti, Numerowat, 1ere Robinet, Bd Median.
20.9243-17.041121 Hotel Al Jazeera, Blvd Maritim.
20.9223-17.042122 Hotel Sahel.
20.9257-17.040923 Hotel Prestige.
20.915556-17.0524 Camping Baie de Levrier, Blvd Median (in front of the police station).

Cope

20.91552-17.049753 Surete Nationale (Police), Blvd Median.
20.9248-17.04024 Maroccan consulate.

Connect

20.9173-17.04815 Post.

from Nouadhibou to Nouakchott (436 km)

National Park Banc d'Arguin

The national park ^{[formerly dead link]} is located on the Atlantic coast of Mauritania between Nouakchott and Nouadhibou and was designated 1976. Since 1989, he has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

It includes the Arguin Sandbank, which is located on the coast of Mauritania and reaches the Atlantic with its shallow reefs up to 30 nautical miles. The Sandbank was considered one of the most dangerous places on the West African coast. Ships usually keep wide distance from this dangerous coastal section. Furthermore the 20.594-16.4660 island Arguin north and several smaller islands such as the two Kiaone Islands, 20.0115-16.302561 Kiaone West and 20.0058-16.290762 Kiaone Ost in the south.

The park is one of the most important wintering areas of the Great Bluebird. In addition, many colony breeders such as pink flamingos, spoonbills, rosapelikans, predators, king and tigers-, as well as thin-billed gulls.

Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus)
Greater flamingos (Phoenicopterus roseus)
Common spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia)
Great white pelican (Pelecanus onocrotalus)
Caspian tern (Hydroprogne caspia)
Slender-billed gull (Chroicocephalus genei)

21.2926-16.53126763 Abzweigung zum Dorf Bou Lanouar (80 km nach Nouadhibou).
Filling station (only diesel) (2 km nach Abzweigung nach Bou Lanouar). (updated Feb 2006)
Auberge (45 km nach Bou Lanouar). (updated Feb 2006)
Baumgruppe (65 km nach Bou Lanouar). (updated Feb 2006)
20.81145-16.1207564 unfertige Tankstelle (70 km nach Bou Lanouar). (updated Feb 2006)
Zelte mit Auberge und Epicerie (95 km nach Bou Lanouar).
Zelte mit Holzbaracken, Café, Auberge (160 km nach Bou Lanouar).
Zelte, Restaurant (190 km nach Bou Lanouar).
Baracken (275 km nach Bou Lanouar).
19.023517-16.18378365 Barackensiedlung (290 km nach Bou Lanouar). (updated Feb 2006)
18.689217-16.116266 Abzweigung nach Lemcid (320 km nach Bou Lanouar).
Piste nach rechts zum Fischerdorf Belakahr (340 km nach Bou Lanouar).
Checkpoint. Die letzten 25 km 4spurige Straße durch Müllhalden (365 km nach Bou Lanouar).

Nouakchott

18.083333-15.96666767 Nouakchott (Arabic: نواكشوط), 390 km to Bou Lanouar, with 96000 inhabitants, is the capital of Mauritania.

The main traffic route, Ave Gamal Abdel Nasser, runs east-west through Nouakchott and ends at the harbour, 6 km to the west. In the center of the city, it is crossed by the second main road, Ave du Général de Gaulle, which crosses the city in north-south direction. At the intersection is the tallest building in the city, the ten-storey 18.08754-15.9770668 hotel and convention center Al-Khaima (Arabic "tent"). In the northern part of the Ave Général du Gaulle lie the business and embassy district. The rest of the city consists of planar-grounded unpaved roads.

Information

18.08911-15.9768269 ^{[dead link]} Austrian honorary consul, 10, Rue Mamadou Konaté, Al Khaima City Cente, 5. Stock (by the Saudi mosque), ☏ +222 4525 5131, consulautrichemauritanie@yahoo.com.
18.0876-15.973170 Main post, Ave Gamal Abdel Nasser.
18.0881-15.975271 Mauretanian central bank (BMCI), Ave Gamal Abdel Nasser.
18.0875-15.987972 Landeskrankenhaus (Centre Hospitalier Nationale Sabah), Ave Gamal Abdel Nassar.

See

18.0879-15.963973 Freitagsmoschee. große, weiße Moschee mit einem Dach aus zehn Kuppeln
18.0902-15.975674 Grande Mosque (Mosquée Saudique).
18.0943-15.971375 Palace of the president.
18.0854-15.974776 National museum. Archaeological finds and Mauritanian Volkskunst
. (updated Feb 2019)

Buy

18.0863-15.979677 Marché Capitale.
18.0729-15.990178 Cinquième Marché.

Sleep

18.08909-15.9782425 Auberge des Nomades, Rue Aliouine Ben Ebi Taleb.
18.09711-15.9847126 Monotel, Rue Abdoubekr Seddigh.
18.0843-15.9773227 Hotel Adrar, Rue Samba Thiedel M'baye (south-east from the market).

From Nouakchott to Rosso (205 km)

Rosso

16.512778-15.80579 Rosso (Arabic: روصو), the third-largest city in Mauritania (by 2000), with almost 50,000 inhabitants. Good infrastructure. The main road runs through the village directly to the port. The center is located east of the main road.

16.5209-15.810980 Hotel Alasmaa (at the northern entrance).
Church. , probably the oldest church in Mauritania.

Border Mauritania – Senegal

With independence from France, the border between Mauritania and Senegal was drawn along the Senegal River and Rosso was divided. On the Mauritanian side, tax collectors are always trying to claim penalties for false visas and processing fees for stamps. Also, the price for the ferry over the Senegal River is negotiable. Better spend more time and discuss the arguments calmly and creatively. In general, here too, as a cyclist, you are less likely to be victimized than if you were driving a car.

From the border to St. Louis (98 km)

The border town 16.5012-15.810581 Rosso (Senegal) has about 10,000 inhabitants. Probably the only accommodation is the 16.502154-15.80863728 Auberge le Wallo near the port on the main road. A little further along the main road is the 16.49902-15.801162 Gare Routière.

A trip to Richard Toll

6 km to Rosso, turn left at the junction to 16.4668-15.687482 Richard Toll , which is reached in another 13 km. Richard Toll has about 70,000 inhabitants and is mainly known for the processing of sugar cane.

16.276915-16.14798783 Ross Béthio (48 km past Rosso). with 11.000 inhabitans the first town in Senegal.
16.266756-16.18308584 Tilène.
16.217201-16.24553585 Ndiongo.
16.108632-16.35112886 Lampsar.

Saint Louis

16.0189-16.49387 Saint Louis, since 2000 UNESCO World Cultural Heritage, has about 176,000 inhabitants. The center of the city is located on the island of Ile de N'Dar, which is connected to the mainland by the 500-meter-long Pont Faidherbe. Over another bridge, Pont Mustapha Malick Gaye, you reach the Langue de Barbarie peninsula.

Festland

16.02476-16.4979388 Main train station. (updated Jul 2017)

Ile de N'Dar

16.0259-16.5039989 Post.
16.02576-16.5039590 Tourist information. (updated Jul 2017)
16.0247-16.5044991 Cathedral. (updated Jul 2017)
16.02729-16.5054492 Banque Internationale Pour le Commerce et l'Industrie du Senegal, Rue Blanchot.
16.03293-16.5038893 Auberge de Jeunesse L'Atlantide, Ave Jean Mermoz.

Langue de Barbarie

16.02641-16.5078694 Marché Ndar.

Respect

Religion

Morocco is a Muslim country and faith is much more deeply rooted in everyday life than in Europe. The religious customs are observed. However, non-Muslims are treated with respect as different believers in Morocco. This is especially true during Ramadan. While most Moroccans fast, the sick, the young, the old and the pregnant do not, and neither need the travellers. Mauritania is officially an Islamic Republic, and is considerably less tolerant than Morocco, at least officially. Make sure not to do or say anything that could be considered blasphemy against Islam or proclaim yourself as an atheist while you are in Mauritania, and make sure to wear modest dress; atheism and blasphemy are punishable by death in that country, while "offending public indecency and Islamic values", "breaching Allah’s prohibitions" or assisting in their breach can be subject to up to 2 years in prison and a fine up to 600,000 Ouguiyas. Although 92% Muslim, Senegal is officially secular and known for its liberal Muslim majority; it also has a well-respected Christian minority and other smaller religious minorities that practice freely.

Photography

The desert is a breathtaking stage for photographers. The inhabitants are a bit different. The Moroccans and the Mauritians are not keen to be photographed. You should first ask politely. This applies in particular to portraits of women. With everything that could be in the remotest sense militarily interesting, you should be very careful. This applies mainly to bridges and checkpoints, but also to major road crossings, especially in the area of the Western Sahara. Otherwise, you may be subjected to interrogation.

Stay safe

The area of the Western Sahara, disputed between the SADR (Saharan Arab Democratic Republic), Mauritania and Algeria under international law, is always subject to tensions. Exact and up-to-date information must be researched before the trip. Women should not camp outside on their own due to the risk of extremist terrorist acts.

See the respective country articles for the latest information on safety and on visa requirements.

Search and rescue operations in remote regions are facilitated with accurate GPS data. Satellite Navigation GPS Tracker provides alarms for emergencies and are now cost-effective and handy.

Morocco

Morocco is a very safe and very friendly country, except in the big cities, especially Agadir, where a certain caution should be exercised. Pickpocketing happens especially if you aren't paying attention. Armed raids are rare.

The checkpoints in the Western Sahara are usually without problems. Sometimes imaginative scams are tried, such as trying to impose fines for missing authorizations or processing fees with imaginative arguments. In most cases it is possible to talk oneself out of the situation, but it is important not to underestimate Arab pride. You should always leave the other person a way out in the argument, without him losing his face.

Mauritania

Crime also plays an important role here in the larger cities. Particularly on the beach of Nouakchott, there is a strong risk of violent crime. Alcohol is expensive and difficult to get in Mauritania.

Mines, UXO

The area of the Western Sahara that is occupied by Morocco is separated from the territory of the Polisario by the Berm Wall. It is estimated that the world's highest density of mines can be found along the Berm. The Moroccan army, the Polisario and the UN are working on marking and removing mines and UXO (unexploded ordinance).

The risk should be very low along the main routes; however, you should exercise caution off the road and especially in the border area between Morocco and Mauritania. In 2015 there were floods in the area of the Western Sahara. Since then, there has been an increased danger of dislocated mines.

Go next

Dakar
Saloum-Delta national park

This itinerary to Cycling the Western Sahara is a usable article. It explains how to get there and touches on all the major points along the way. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.