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Western Sahara🇪🇭 | best hikesNo hike found in Western Sahara

Top hikes elude us, but don’t let that stop your trip. Western Sahara is packed with lots of other highlights and hidden gems, scenic views, and unique adventures. And, if you know of any great hike to add here, just contact us.

By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 17, 2026
Explore the best beaches in Western Sahara

Why go?What Makes Them Special

Western Sahara suits walkers who want empty, open terrain. The territory is mostly flat hamada, sand and coastline, with almost no forest or mountains, so the appeal is distance, light and silence rather than elevation. Rainfall is minimal, usually under 50 mm a year, and the Atlantic keeps the coast cooler than the interior.

The political situation shapes everything. Most of the territory is administered by Morocco, and the area east of the military berm is held by the Polisario Front and contaminated with landmines and unexploded ordnance. Travel there is not advised without specific permission. Waymarking, maps and trail infrastructure are almost nonexistent, and water sources are scarce, so local guides and self-sufficiency matter. Services are concentrated in Dakhla, Laayoune and Smara. Distances between them are long.
Behind the Scenes of Selection
The list of best hikes in Western Sahara is created based on scenery, challenge, trail quality, landmarks, and overall enjoyment. If you feel a hike is missing in this list, please let us know.

When to go?Best Time to Visit Western Sahara for hikes

Best months and temperatures: The best months are October to April, when coastal daytime temperatures sit around 20 to 27°C and walking in the sun is comfortable. Nights drop to roughly 10 to 15°C, and a windproof layer is useful after dark. Rain is rare, with most of the little that falls arriving between November and February.Shoulder and summer seasons: May and October are workable shoulder months. From June to September, the coast around Dakhla stays near 25 to 30°C but is hit by strong, steady northeast winds that throw sand and make exposed walking tiring. Inland areas such as Smara regularly pass 40°C, so walking there should be restricted to early morning.Crowds and prices: Dakhla fills with kitesurfers in summer and around winter holidays, and rooms there can run 30 to 50 percent … read more 👉
Best months and temperatures: The best months are October to April, when coastal daytime temperatures sit around 20 to 27°C and walking in the sun is comfortable. Nights drop to roughly 10 to 15°C, and a windproof layer is useful after dark. Rain is rare, with most of the little that falls arriving between November and February.Shoulder and summer seasons: May and October are workable shoulder months. From June to September, the coast around Dakhla stays near 25 to 30°C but is hit by strong, steady northeast winds that throw sand and make exposed walking tiring. Inland areas such as Smara regularly pass 40°C, so walking there should be restricted to early morning.Crowds and prices: Dakhla fills with kitesurfers in summer and around winter holidays, and rooms there can run 30 to 50 percent above off-peak rates. Laayoune and Smara see few visitors all year, and prices barely move.

hike hoppingHow to Combine hikes Into One Trip

Trip length and direction: A trip combining several hikes in Western Sahara needs 7 to 10 days, because distances are long and public transport is thin. The sensible direction is north to south: enter from Guelmim or Tan-Tan in southern Morocco, continue to Laayoune, then take the long run to Dakhla, which has the best flights out, including to Casablanca.Timing between stops: Guelmim to Laayoune takes about 4 to 5 hours by bus. Laayoune to Dakhla is roughly 540 km, 6 to 8 hours by CTM or Supratours coach. Smara is a 3-hour detour from Laayoune. Allow 1 to 2 days per walking area, plus a rest day after each long transfer.Planning mistakes: Travelers often cram two long coach days back to back and arrive too tired to walk. They also underestimate midday heat and wind. Book guides one or two … read more 👉
Trip length and direction: A trip combining several hikes in Western Sahara needs 7 to 10 days, because distances are long and public transport is thin. The sensible direction is north to south: enter from Guelmim or Tan-Tan in southern Morocco, continue to Laayoune, then take the long run to Dakhla, which has the best flights out, including to Casablanca.Timing between stops: Guelmim to Laayoune takes about 4 to 5 hours by bus. Laayoune to Dakhla is roughly 540 km, 6 to 8 hours by CTM or Supratours coach. Smara is a 3-hour detour from Laayoune. Allow 1 to 2 days per walking area, plus a rest day after each long transfer.Planning mistakes: Travelers often cram two long coach days back to back and arrive too tired to walk. They also underestimate midday heat and wind. Book guides one or two days ahead, start before 8 a.m., and keep the transfers separate from the walking days.

Expert viewPro Tips for Exploring the Best

How many hikes to plan: Three or four walks is the right number. Distances between walking areas are long, with 6 to 8 hours of coach travel between the main towns, so a fifth stop mostly means another day looking out of a bus window. Three or four leaves time for a rest day and a day for wind or heat to cancel a plan.Choosing between kinds of walks: Coastal and lagoon walks near Dakhla suit first-timers and anyone on a tight schedule: the ground is firm, the air is cool, and the reward is flamingos and water in every direction. Dune and hamada walks inland suit experienced travelers who are comfortable with navigation and heat, and the payoff is silence and a night sky with no light pollution. Anyone wanting company and logistics handled should choose a guided day or overnight from Dakhla. … read more 👉
How many hikes to plan: Three or four walks is the right number. Distances between walking areas are long, with 6 to 8 hours of coach travel between the main towns, so a fifth stop mostly means another day looking out of a bus window. Three or four leaves time for a rest day and a day for wind or heat to cancel a plan.Choosing between kinds of walks: Coastal and lagoon walks near Dakhla suit first-timers and anyone on a tight schedule: the ground is firm, the air is cool, and the reward is flamingos and water in every direction. Dune and hamada walks inland suit experienced travelers who are comfortable with navigation and heat, and the payoff is silence and a night sky with no light pollution. Anyone wanting company and logistics handled should choose a guided day or overnight from Dakhla. Solo, low-cost travelers should base themselves in Laayoune and arrange short guided outings.What it costs: A realistic budget is US$30 to 50 a day (about 300 to 500 MAD), covering a guesthouse room at 150 to 400 MAD, meals at 40 to 100 MAD and local transport. A guide or driver for a day usually costs 300 to 600 MAD (US$30 to 60). Long-distance coaches run about 250 to 350 MAD between major towns. Three or four walks with guides and transfers total roughly US$150 to 300 per visit. Walking itself is free, and few areas charge entry.Safety and cultural points: Stay out of the zone east of the berm. Landmines and unexploded ordnance remain there, and military checkpoints along the main roads are routine, so carry your passport and keep photos away from installations. Carry at least 3 liters of water per person for a half-day, sun protection and a scarf for blowing sand. Mobile coverage disappears quickly outside towns. Dress modestly in towns and ask before photographing people. Sahrawi hospitality often includes sweet mint tea, usually served in three rounds, and accepting it opens conversation and local knowledge.

✈️ The backpacker research shortcutWestern Sahara Travel Guide

An offline-friendly backpacking guide with optimized travel routes, ranked highlights, transport advice, and the best areas to stay.
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The digital guide (79 pages) contains:
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🛏️ Where to stay?Where to Stay in Western Sahara

Western Sahara has very few true hostels; budget travel here mostly means simple hotels and guesthouses at roughly MAD 150 to 350 (about US$15 to 35) a night, plus a small number of surf and kite hostels in Dakhla. In Laayoune, the streets around Place du Mechouar and the central avenues have the most cheap rooms, cafés and grand taxi links, though nightlife is almost nonexistent and the call to prayer and traffic start early. In Dakhla, the town center on the southern tip of the peninsula is the cheapest base, with seafront cafés, a walkable layout and a calm feel at night, while the lagoon kite camps north of town put you on the water but cost more and leave you dependent on taxis to reach … read more 👉
Western Sahara has very few true hostels; budget travel here mostly means simple hotels and guesthouses at roughly MAD 150 to 350 (about US$15 to 35) a night, plus a small number of surf and kite hostels in Dakhla. In Laayoune, the streets around Place du Mechouar and the central avenues have the most cheap rooms, cafés and grand taxi links, though nightlife is almost nonexistent and the call to prayer and traffic start early. In Dakhla, the town center on the southern tip of the peninsula is the cheapest base, with seafront cafés, a walkable layout and a calm feel at night, while the lagoon kite camps north of town put you on the water but cost more and leave you dependent on taxis to reach town.

If you enjoy meeting fellow travelers, consider choosing hostels with high ratings for atmosphere. On the other hand, if you prefer having your own space, a hotel might be a better option.

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Johan, backpacker and founder of TakeYourBackpackHi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

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