No worries, I fully understand your concerns.
Of course,
Algeria is not done with terrorism, but if you stay away from risk areas you should travel without incident.
Yes, there are buses, trains and taxis (not always comfortable) practically everywhere, as in Europe. If you have a problem, an accident or something, people will come to help you because there is a certain culture of mutual aid here. Then it can obviously happen to come across villages where the mentality is a little backward... (Due to the isolation surely...)
As for traveling alone, I don't recommend it. Not that you risk being killed or kidnapped, but simply because it’s not safe, like everywhere in the world. You can always fall on ill-intentioned people who wants your stuff. There are hotels and youth hostels to rest. Camping is back in fashion here, but again I don't recommend doing it alone. When I go out to camp myself, I do it with one or two friends.
Another reason not to travel there alone is the language barrier. The Algerian people speak French, Arabic and Berber and in some regions it is only one of these three languages. You should ask a few people who practice Bikepacking to go a long way with you, this discipline is developing more and more in
Algeria (for those who can afford it). I don't think people will bother you when they see you on your bike, you will be a kind of "curiosity" but nothing more, because you should know that here people are bored to death (literally), so when they see someone out of the ordinary, they start to stare at him, but nothing bad. For example when I go out on a bicycle, even without my bags, I become an alien for the locals (especially if I wear a helmet)
Regarding roadblocks, yes they are everywhere, but not really oppressive, for my part I have never been controlled or bothered by the police or the military. But frankly, after such a violent past with terrorism (The Dark decade) it's a bit normal that there are so many checks on the roads.
Cabilia is where I am now, there are mountains, hills, forests, cows, sheep and many people who are bored.
About the desert areas I agree with you, I think you should avoid them, or go there accompanied by a guide (especially at this time). I have never been to the Sahara but I intend to go there by bike one day.
The warnings you have read are probably valid for someone who has never set foot in
Algeria, but if you know people there, I think you have nothing to fear. By following the coast line you shouldn't have any worries. Just watch out for trucks and cars driving like crazy (Mad Max)
Do not forget that
Algeria is not a tourist country, and unlike its neighbors, you will not come across many tourists (or not at all). And yes, in a way,
Algeria is a Wild West in many areas (a real mess...)
Here is a video of four young people who went from
Alger to
Tamanrasset by bicycle in 25 days:
Two of them did it again last year, but this time they were accompanied by a car (to plant a tree in every city they stop at).
This is the kind of scenery that you will come across on your way (more on my channel):
Images attachées:
Photo postée par le membre
Samy999.
Photo postée par le membre
Samy999.
Photo postée par le membre
Samy999.
Photo postée par le membre
Samy999.
Photo postée par le membre
Samy999.
