Cycling Across the Tanezrouft Desert – A Documented Bikepacking Expedition

Hundreds of kilometers of emptiness; here I truly experienced loneliness

Tanzerouft from the sky ..

a camping setup

The road towards Akabli is a sandy road mixed with some hard soil, which I am pleased to see.

The struggle to cross the sand dunes

Strange shapes and rocks I found on my way

feeling like you’re the last person left on Earth.

A road I came across leads to an area called Al-chenachen. The sign says it’s a dead end - danger of death.

PK 200 looks from afar

My happiness at having completed half the journey

Crossing the Tropic of Cancer in the PK 400 region

My surly wednesday ; making its way towards the target in the last 200 km remaining

I can feel a complete silence and an endless expanse of horizon

The trucks of life, laden with goods and merchandise, make their way towards Bordj Badji Mokhtar

Access to Bordj Badji Mokhtar

My name is Muhammad Redha Ghouileb, an Algerian bikepacker. On January 6, 2026, I completed a bicycle crossing of the Tanezrouft Desert in southern Algeria, one of the most remote and hostile regions of the Sahara.

This article documents the expedition, its route, scale, and the key logistical challenges involved in crossing an environment known for extreme isolation, soft sand, and the complete absence of services or permanent settlements.

Historical context For context, the only previously known bicycle crossing of the Tanezrouft Desert that I am aware of was completed by the explorer Jean Naud. My expedition was carried out independently, following a different timeframe and logistical approach, and adds a new documented traversal of this rarely crossed desert region.

Route overview : The expedition began in the village of Akabli, in the Tidikelt region of southern Algeria. From Akabli to PK200 (kilometer marker 200), I covered 247 km over 3 days. This section was fully off-road and extremely demanding: deep sand, no tracks, no water sources, no human presence, and no visible signs of life, I brought with me enough water for 6 days, 16 liters. From PK200, I continued toward Bordj Badji Mokhtar (BBM), covering approximately 450 km in 5 days. This part consisted of long off-road desert stretches followed by a paved road section approaching BBM.

Expedition summary : Total distance: 697 km Total duration: 8 days Off-road / sand: ~550 km Paved road: ~147 km

Challenges and logistics : The main challenges of the crossing were not speed or distance, but logistics and self-reliance: Water planning in a waterless environment Navigation across featureless terrain Riding extended distances in soft sand Mechanical reliability far from any assistance Managing isolation, exposure, and desert conditions Every decision — from daily distance to load distribution — had direct consequences on safety and progress. The expedition was completed using a Surly Wednesday fatbike (26x4.40), fully loaded (bikepacking setup) The bike's wide tires and robust setup were essential for handling the soft sand and rough terrain across the Tanezrouft desert.

Documentation : The entire expedition was documented on video. Short clips were previously shared on social media, and a full documentary-style video is currently in preparation for YouTube. This article serves as a written record of the journey and aims to contribute practical information to the broader bikepacking and expedition cycling community, particularly those interested in extreme desert routes.