Routes from Djanet (Algeria)

[mila_asier]

Hi, We are an spanish couple who love travelling around the word by hiking. Our next proyect is trekking in the Algerian Sahara, starting from Djanet. We are not motobikers, but your experience can help us. We would like to know if anybody has visited these places and could describe them for us:
Tikoubaioune-Loulalaten-Essendilene-Tiouiteteren-ASsaso-Taghine
Thank you,
Mila and Asier (mila_asier@yahoo.es)

[Chris Scott]

Without scouring an IGN I only recognise Essendilene, but if it is a walk along the plateau (or below) from Djanet NW to more or less Bordj el Haouas on the highway, it would be a fantastic trek and easy to support (even if it is not the usual walking area east of Djanet)
I think you could fly into Djanet and pretty much set it up in a couple of days.

CS

[Richard Washington]

I've walked in Essendeline and the group of canyons to each side. It is stunning country to walk in, with trails that come and go. The IGN 1:200 000 maps would be useful because it gets confusing in the depths of the canyons walls. As Chris has said, a road runs along the base of the canyon about 15 km away from the escarpment. Pistes run up just about every canyon, so support is easy.

[desert soul]

hello out there,

essendilene is a fine place, but exepct a small farm, organized tour groups and national park guards at the base of the canyon.
inside the canyon you will find mossy rocks with clear pools below, and towering rock walls - fantastic!
the walk fron the main road could be challenging because of the soft sandy ground.
further - the climate is hot all year, you're very close to the tropics!

another walk is directly from djanet into a very deep gorge, which you see from the plateau near tamrit (usually shown on commercial rock art tours). it's a walk of maybe the same distance as essendilene, on the way you see the same trees like you see on the plateau and some rock art north of djanet.
the ign 1:200000 shows all necessary details. if i search for it, i maybe find gps data of the rock art near djanet.

i'm not sure that the authorities allow you to walk around independently, better be prepared for some problems.

good luck

[This message has been edited by desert soul (edited 18 February 2005).]

[mila_asier]

Thank you very much for your information. Do you know where can we find an ING 1:200.000 map of this zone? We do not think I will find it in Spain.

Asier and Mila

[This message has been edited by mila_asier (edited 18 February 2005).]