The Iron Ore Train

One of Mauritania's most legendary and extraordinary experiences is a journey on the iron ore train, among the longest and heaviest trains in the world, which can stretch for well over two kilometres. Hauling iron ore from the mines at Zouérat across some 700 kilometres of open Sahara to the port of Nouadhibou, this colossal train has become a bucket-list adventure for intrepid travellers, who famously ride it for free by climbing aboard and perching atop the mountainous loads of ore in the open wagons, exposed to the desert sun, wind and dust, an unforgettable, raw and utterly unique crossing of the desert.

What you actually see

• The colossal train - one of the longest, heaviest trains on earth.
• Riding atop the ore - the famous journey on the open wagons.
• The Sahara crossing - the desert scenery along the route.
• The desert stops - the remote settlements along the line.

When to go

November to February, the cooler winter months, for the most bearable conditions, as riding exposed atop the ore in the desert is punishingly hot at other times and cold at night even in winter; the train runs daily. Riders board at stops along the line, and warm layers, goggles, water and food are essential for the rough, exposed journey.

Honest expectations

Riding atop the ore wagons is a genuinely rough, dirty, exposed and potentially risky adventure, with no facilities, extreme dust, sun and cold, and real hazards, so it is strictly for the hardy and well-prepared; a basic passenger carriage offers a slightly more sheltered, if still spartan, alternative. For the intrepid, though, this legendary crossing of the Sahara atop one of the world's greatest trains is an unforgettable, iconic experience.

Nearby

The port of Nouadhibou and the mining town of Zouérat are the endpoints.