Possible new border: Tindouf–Zouerat; new highway Choum–Tidjikja
 

Even if it is yet remote in time, it opens an interesting path:

https://www.dzbreaking.com/2017/10/1...-open-borders/

Especially for those going to Atar, etc.

Cheers,

Cutrex

Well. It is interesting. But it won't help adventure riders who can't even access Algeria's South territories. I think it is good news anyway, but for locals. ;-)

"linking Algeria’s Tindouf province to the Mauritanian city of Zouerat."

Zouerat is however almost a 1000 kms from Tindouf :)

Wonder what they would say if we showed up at the post with a fresh Algerian visa.
Problem is more that the whole northeast of Mauretania is declared a military no-go zone by maure government.

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...ia-unnamed.jpg

Yes, I agree. Moreover, arriving at the zone of Tindouf from, say, the entry port of Oran (there is a ferry Almeria to Oran) will not be easy anyway. But within the oscillatory dynamics of security in the region, this movement is in a convenient direction.

It might save one day in the trip to Atar from the Mediterranean, therefore we can caress that possibility.

Cheers,

Cutrex

Hello "Cutrex",

thank you for the info.
In January (2017) I followed the south part of the Med-Westafrika highway froum Choum via Atar, Tidjikja and Kiffa to Kankossa - nearly 100% new paved highway (driving time about 20 hours).
South of Tindouf and north of Zouerat I don't know the road conditions, but they will change quickly - if they (Alg- and Mauri authorities) will - in less then one year to an absolute speedhighway - no problem at all.
There was a public bus going from Oran via Tanezrouft to Niamey (50-100 years ago, nearly every day) in 48 hours on a solar lightend route by nighttime! and Oran ist also connected to Marseille by boats. So, from south France to the heart of Westafrika (50-100 years ago was a french colony) it was a 72 hour trip by public transport on land and sea (I made this route in 2009 by my own car in less driving time alone by night without any light - new moon, no elctricity on board for lamps).

The same will be with the Oran via Tindouf to Bamako road in less time in the future -Insha Allah.

Cheers
Ferdi

Interesting news. Many Sahara borders are open to locals only, and I'm sure this will be the same. Tindouf has been off limits to tourists since Polisario war.

I wonder if by building a Med-Westafrika highway via Tindouf to Mori (old French inland route from the 1950s to dodge Spanish Atlantic territories in WS; see map) the Algies are trying to undermine similar grand projects along the Atlantic Route in Moroccan WS.

Afaik, that route was last driven in 1959 by a nutter in a Ford Zephyr as the independence wars were reaching their peak.

Ferdi, is the road really nearly all sealed from Choum to Tidjikja?
That was quick.

https://saharaoverland.files.wordpre...nmap.jpg?w=400

Hello Chris,

between Oujeft and Ain Cevra there was in January this year one section of unpaved piste of about 50 km. The rest from Choum to Kankossa was 9 month ago finest tared road.

Cheers
Ferdi

(second photo is about 30km SE of Oujeft)

Amazing; thanks.
I see the new road 50km NW of Rachid on GE, but then the tile turns to dunes.
Never heard of/can't find Ain Cevra. Where is that?

I believe Ferdi might refer to 'Ain safra' (yellow springs).

In this case you will find it at [19°31'58.13"N, 12° 6'0.20"W]. More exactly, these are the coordinates of a road building base where in Nov-2016 we had to repair a broken axle of one of our cars (you should have seen the welder, protecting his eyes only with cheap chinese sunglasses). They were really kind, and to thank it I digitized in OSM the new paved road to Rachid, as well as the perimeter of the settlement. Just put 'ain safra mauritania' in the search box of OSM.

Cheers,

Cutrex

Yes, Ain Serfa is in the middle of the line from Atar to Tidjikja - a very nice oasis with very nice people. "Serva" is written on the plate of my photo, but it is the same. I visited that place 5 years before, coming on the old piste from Chinguetti - now new age - 200 km in 2 hours to Tidjikja, police control in Rachid included.

Cheers
Ferdi

Thanks, I see it now buried on the Faraoun 200k sheet.
And prominently on the Bab Sahara map - should have looked their first.

This news kept on popping up persistently in the last years - personally I was a bit sceptical - but heeey Ferdi, this is really great news after all: Choum - Kankossa tarmac!
I guess it won't take long to upgrade the Bou Lanouar - Choum piste too.
Vrecha reports that Choum - Zouerat is tarmac also, with one minor section still unfinished.
Priffe: Zouerat - Tindouf is a long way indeed, but the piste is peace of cake, even lorries and semitrailers do it. Attachment 20279Attachment 20280
Which leaves us with the paperwork problem: if the border is truly opened, I guess it will be some kind of "escorte" arrangement, like we used to have on central Alg southwards route to Niger before "the war on terror" killed transsaharan travels.
Worth a try, anyway.

Water supply on way from Oujeft to Tidżikdża
 

Hi i will try cycling in Mauritania and i see on maps that between Oujeft and Tidżikdża is nothing. Do you know any spots where i could get water or use my filter?
Thanks.

I believe there are several villages along or off the road between Oujeft and Tidjikja where you can get water - certainly every day.
Or passing traffic if you're stuck.

thanks for answer
 

could someone who used this road can confirm there is 100% cover with tarmac between Oujeft and Tidżikdża? And how many cars pass this road a day in january?