Route choice? - Ghardaia to Tamanrasset

[IanC]

For someone who may only do this once, what are the principal pro's/con's and differences between these two options:

A. HBG > In Amenas > Djanet > Hirhafok

B. El Meniaa > Timimoun > Charouine > Adrar [direct, missing Reganne] > Aoulef > In Salah > Hirhafok

We'll be on bikes. I know (A) had just been 100% paved some 7 years ago, but think its breaking up now? And are the red parts (on Mich map) of (B) all paved?

And which is most spectacular?

Be helpful to hear from someone who knows both!

[Richard Washington]

In Amenas, Illizi, Djanet then across to Tazat, on to the Amadror and south on Tefedest East will take you through the best Algeria (in fact the best the Sahara) has to offer. It is one of the most remarkable landscapes on the planet.

The Sahara is at itsr best when the big gravel plains, the high mountains and big dunes all come together. This nexus happens several times on the listed route.

[IanC]

Thanks Richard. I'm only looking at the 953 at moment, and was a bit lost after Djanet. But think I've got the gist: Looking at that map you'd fork right (WNW) at Borne then pretty much west from near Toukmatine?

I probably (definitely!) should have mentioned we're on well-loaded big bikes - too much deep sand could be a problem! Half-decent pistes will be far more enjoyable...

[Richard Washington]

The standard piste from Djanet to Tam is still very scenic and not too sandy. Most of the soft sand is in well confined oued crossings.

The route I described in the earlier post is sandy in places, notably getting through the mountains at the western end of the Amadror and then south on the Tefedest East piste for the first 100 km or so. But I was in an old LR, so wasn't specially looking out for bike friendly surface.....

[Eric DN]

hi
I rode there last november, roughly, Tougourt, Hassi messaoud, hassi belghebour in amhenas, Illizi, ( a lot of check-points almost each 50 km, obliged to camp near a check point if you arrive around 4 or 5 pm, paved road all the time ( sometime in a good shape and sometime bad)
Djanet, south through the oued's tracks to Tamanrasset (no control at all)
Then assekrem and return through Irafok to Borj el haoues ( between illizi and Djanet).

irafok pics here Picasa Albums Web - Eric - Algérie 2009

[Dave The Hat]

Eric you hae got some brilliant photos there, thank you for the link.