A Railway for the Fremen: Mauritania’s Iron Ore Adventure

Spending 20 hours on a pile of toxic material in the middle of nowhere might seem terrifying, but many travellers fancy this attraction. Riding an Iron Ore Train in Mauritania is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

If you want to try something extraordinary and you aren’t keen on comfort, Iron Ore Train seems like your kind of vacation. Instead of sunbathing on the beach, you can lay on a pile of toxic iron ore, but with the most breathtaking views of the Sahara Desert and with the feeling you might be living the craziest experience in your life.

TIL that there's an iron ore train in Mauritania, the only train in the country, that you can just jump on and spend the next 15 hours looking at the Sahara landscapes and trying to sleep on a big pile of metal sand and not die of dehydration or exposure pic.twitter.com/gZrcWJbhth

— Étienne (@etiennefd) January 5, 2024

Iron Ore Train, a Train Unlike Any Other

The Iron Ore Train runs from the mining town of Zouérat in northern Mauritania to the Atlantic port of Nouadhibou, transporting iron ore in massive quantities. Up to 200 freight cars stretch over 2.5 kilometres, forming a steel serpent that slices through the desert dunes. A 2,5-3 kilometres long train should depart at 11 am, but in Mauritania, you never know, and this train can possibly depart any time. The only sure thing is, it´s going to cross more than 700 kilometres of Sahara Desert every day, no matter what. With the approximate speed of 35 km/h, it comes to its destination after 18-20 hours. While most passengers would think twice before hopping on an uncovered freight wagon, the local people—and a growing number of adventurous travellers—see it as a free ticket to one of the most extreme train rides on Earth.

There are a few passenger carriages attached to the train. Locals often can't afford to buy a ticket for 15 dollars, so they move on top of the ore. You can use this wagon as well, experiencing different things, like talking with strangers, etc. But travellers say that the true experience lies in climbing atop a heap of raw iron ore, wrapping a scarf around your face, and holding on as the train thunders across the barren landscape.

The Challenge Begins: Boarding the Iron Ore Train

The adventure starts before you even step foot on the train. The waiting game in Choum, one of the main boarding points, can stretch for hours. There are no schedules, no station announcements, and definitely no comfort. You rely on word-of-mouth, the distant glow of approaching headlights, and the sheer determination to not miss your ride. Many travellers chose Choum because they can shorten the time on the train to circa 12 hours instead of about 20 hours from Zouérat. On the other hand, there’s a chance that you will not see daylight if the train arrives in Choum in the evening and you will cross the desert through the night.

When the train finally screeches to a halt, chaos ensues. Locals scramble for spots, dragging supplies, motorcycles, and livestock onto the wagons. Travelers with wide eyes and backpacks quickly realize there’s no official boarding process and you have minutes to board. Climbing onto the iron ore feels like summiting a small mountain of sharp, uneven rocks. Gloves? Highly recommended.

Life on Top of the Iron Ore

Once aboard, the reality of the journey sets in. There are no seats, no roof, and no protection from the relentless Saharan winds and sun. The iron ore itself radiates heat during the day, making the wagons feel like scorching frying pans. As night falls, temperatures plummet, and suddenly, the desert is colder than you ever thought possible.

The view, however, is nothing short of spectacular. The Saharan landscape unfolds in an endless sea of golden dunes, with occasional clusters of hardy shrubs and the rare sight of nomadic encampments. The stars at night? Breathtaking. With no light pollution for miles, the Milky Way reveals itself in all its celestial glory.

Survival Tips for the Iron Ore Express

For those willing to take on this wild ride, preparation is key. Here’s what you need:

• Protection from the elements: A thick scarf or a shemagh is crucial to keep iron dust and sand from clogging your lungs. Ski goggles help shield your eyes.
• Warm clothing: The desert’s temperature swing is no joke—what starts as a sunburn risk at noon turns into a shivering ordeal by midnight.
• Food and water: There’s no dining car, and a 12-20hour journey without sustenance is a bad idea. Bring more water than you think you’ll need.
• Patience: Trains break down, delays happen, and nothing runs on a clock. If you’re expecting punctuality, you’re on the wrong railway.

A thread on some of the most surreal trains and beautiful train rides

1. The Mauritanian iron ore train, one of the world's longest and heaviest, spans up to 3 km, travels 704 km, and has 200-300 carriages, each weighing up to 84 tons. pic.twitter.com/zqYpR7vTML

— Wolf of X (@tradingMaxiSL) August 1, 2024

The Final Destination of the Iron Ore Train

After hours of jarring motion and iron dust accumulating in every crevice, the train finally rolls into Nouadhibou. The feeling of climbing down from your makeshift perch is a mix of exhaustion, exhilaration, and disbelief at what you’ve just accomplished. Many travellers make a beeline for a guesthouse and a long-overdue shower, while locals go about their daily business, unfazed by what to them is just another routine journey. You can be sure you are going to feel the ore in your mouth for at least days.

Why would anyone voluntarily subject themselves to such an experience? The answer is simple: because it’s one of the last great railway adventures in the world. It’s raw, it’s real, and it’s unforgettable. If you have a love for trains, a taste for adventure, and a willingness to embrace the extreme, the Iron Ore Train of Mauritania is calling your name. Just don’t forget your scarf.

Sources: Against the Compass; My Shoes Abroad