Tiris Zemmour, Mauritania
Zouérat — Where the Iron Ore Train Begins
The mining town in the far north where the world's longest train is loaded for the Atlantic.
The town at the head of the line
Zouérat lies in the far north of Mauritania, in the Tiris Zemmour region, and exists because of iron. The mines around it feed the Mauritania Railway, the 704-kilometre line that runs to the port of Nouadhibou on the Atlantic, and the national mining company SNIM has been running ore trains from here since the line opened in 1963.
Loaded, those trains are among the longest and heaviest on Earth: two or three locomotives, 200 or more wagons carrying up to 84 tonnes of ore each, and a total length that can approach three kilometres. Standing beside one as it pulls out is the reason many travellers come to Mauritania at all.
Visiting Zouérat
Zouérat is a working mining town rather than a sightseeing destination, and most travellers experience the railway further south, boarding at Choum for the overnight run to the coast. If you want to ride the full length of the line, or see the loading operation at the mining end, tell us and we will build it into a custom itinerary.
Zouérat: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I ride the iron ore train from Zouérat?
Yes, the full line runs from Zouérat to Nouadhibou, but most travellers join at Choum, which is far easier to reach from Atar and the Adrar. We can arrange the full run on request.
How long is the Mauritania Railway?
About 704 kilometres from Zouérat to the port of Nouadhibou, crossing the Sahara.
More places to discover in Mauritania
Tailor-made trips
Want a tour built around you?
Every itinerary here can be changed: your own dates, a private departure for your family or friends, more days in the desert, or extras like the Eye of the Sahara and Ouadane. Tell us what you want to see and we will design it.