Travel guide
Cycling the Western Sahara: route guide
Ride Guelmim (Morocco) to Saint-Louis (Senegal), about 2,100 km (1,305 mi) on asphalt, in 3–5 weeks; the trade wind pushes you south, so most cyclists go north to south between October and March. Skip it if you cannot carry 2–3 days of water and food between supply points.Ride Guelmim (Morocco) to Saint-Louis (Senegal), about 1,305 mi (2,100 km) on asphalt, in 3–5 weeks; the trade wind pushes you south, so most cyclists go north to south between October and March. Skip it if you cannot carry 2–3 days of water and food between supply points.
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Key facts
- Distance
- About 2,100 km, Guelmim to Saint-Louis
- Typical duration
- 3–5 weeks at 60–90 km a day
- Surface
- Asphalt the whole way; a few km of soft ground at the Moroccan–Mauritanian border
- Supply spacing
- At least every 150 km, roughly 2–3 days
- Best season
- October–March; coastal fog and moderate heat
- Wind
- North-east trade wind, mostly a tailwind heading south
- Direction
- North to south is standard
- Bordercheck
- Morocco–Mauritania crossing near Nouadhibou; paperwork check
Route map
The line follows the Atlantic coast of the western Sahara: Guelmim, then south through the desert towns of the Western Sahara, across the Moroccan–Mauritanian border near Nouadhibou, on through Mauritania to Nouakchott, and finally to Saint-Louis in Senegal.
It stays on the seaward side of the disputed territory, so you ride the coastal corridor rather than the interior. Navigation is simple: one main road, few junctions, long empty stretches. Carry an offline map and a paper backup; phone signal is patchy between towns.
- Guelmim, Morocco — start, last big resupply before the desert
- Western Sahara coastal towns — fuel, water and food at intervals
- Nouadhibou, Mauritania — border town, Cabo Blanco peninsula nearby
- Nouakchott, Mauritania — capital, full services
- Saint-Louis, Senegal — finish, on the Senegal river mouth
The stages
Distances below are approximate road distances between the main stops, not daily targets. Most cyclists break the long desert legs into 2–3 shorter days, camping or staying where water is available. Treat the table as a planning frame and confirm current road and border conditions locally before you set off.
- Do not skip the coastal Western Sahara stretch: it is the core of the route and the reason to ride it.
- Nouadhibou is the natural rest and repair stop before Mauritania's long southern leg.
- The Nouakchott–Saint-Louis section is the easiest riding and the most humid.
| Stage | Approx. km | Riding time |
|---|---|---|
| Guelmim to the Western Sahara coast | ~300 | 4–6 days |
| Coastal Western Sahara to Nouadhibou | ~700 | 8–12 days |
| Nouadhibou to Nouakchott | ~470 | 6–9 days |
| Nouakchott to Saint-Louis | ~250 | 3–4 days |
Distances are approximate; supply spacing is at least every 150 km (check).
When to go
Ride October to March. Along the coast north of Nouakchott the Atlantic keeps temperatures moderate — around 20 °C at the turn of the year, rising to about 30 °C in September and October — but it also brings heavy coastal fog. South of Nouakchott and along the Senegal river it is 20–24 °C around the new year and 30–34 °C in July, with higher humidity and a July–October rainy season.
The trade wind blows from the north-east and mostly pushes you south, which is why north-to-south is the standard direction. Spring and autumn can bring the hot, dusty south-easterly winds that turn the sky yellow-brown and make southward progress hard. Plan water and daily distance around that risk.
| Period | Conditions | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| Oct–Mar | Moderate coastal heat, fog, tailwind south | Go |
| Apr–Jun | Hotter, dust-wind risk | Possible, start early |
| Jul–Sep | 30–34 °C, humid, rain in the south | Avoid |
| Dec–Jan | Around 20 °C on the coast | Best window |
Where to stay
There is no continuous accommodation along the desert legs. Expect a mix of small desert-town guesthouses and hotels, campsites or wild camping where it is safe and permitted, and the occasional auberge in Mauritania. In Nouadhibou, Nouakchott and Saint-Louis you will find a full range of hotels and guesthouses.
Book ahead in Nouakchott and Saint-Louis, and check current options in the smaller stops before you commit to a daily plan. Camping is common on this route, but confirm local advice on where it is acceptable.
- Small hotels and guesthouses in the desert towns
- Wild camping between supply points — check local advice
- Full hotel choice in Nouadhibou, Nouakchott and Saint-Louis
Preparation
This is a self-supported desert ride. Carry 2–3 days of water and food between supply points, a water filter or purification tablets as backup, and spares for tyres, tubes and cables. Sun protection, a warm layer for foggy coastal mornings, and a head torch matter more than light weight here.
Check visa and border requirements for Morocco, Mauritania and Senegal before you leave, and confirm the current status of the Nouadhibou crossing. Register your route with someone at home and check in when you reach towns. Travel insurance should cover cycling and remote evacuation.
- 2–3 days of water and food capacity
- Tyre, tube and cable spares; basic tools
- Sun protection plus a warm layer for coastal fog
- Visas and border paperwork for all three countries (check)
- Insurance covering cycling and remote evacuation
Questions people ask
How long does Cycling the Western Sahara take?
About 2,100 km from Guelmim to Saint-Louis. Most cyclists take 3–5 weeks at 60–90 km a day, with rest days in Nouadhibou and Nouakchott. Add time for border formalities and for wind or fog days.
When is the best time to do Cycling the Western Sahara?
October to March. Coastal temperatures sit near 20 °C around the new year, and the north-east trade wind mostly pushes you south. Avoid July–September, when the south is 30–34 °C, humid and rainy.
Where should I stay along Cycling the Western Sahara?
Small hotels and guesthouses in the desert towns, wild camping between supply points where it is safe and permitted, and full hotel choice in Nouadhibou, Nouakchott and Saint-Louis. Book ahead in the two cities.
Which direction should I ride?
North to south, from Guelmim to Saint-Louis. The trade wind blows from the north-east and mostly gives you a tailwind. Riding the other way means long stretches of headwind and harder water planning.
How far apart are supply points?
At least every 150 km, which is roughly 2–3 days of riding. Carry 2–3 days of water and food, plus a filter or purification tablets as backup. Confirm current supplies locally before each desert leg.
Do I need a visa for Morocco, Mauritania and Senegal?
Requirements vary by nationality and change. Check the current rules for all three countries and confirm the status of the Nouadhibou border crossing before you travel.
Deep dive
Every source; changeable facts are marked check