5 Popular Trekking Trails In Saudi Arabia

The kingdom of Saudi Arabia offers trekking options for both the beginners and experts. One must research well before starting the trek for a convenient and safe climb. To help with some of the best trekking sites in Saudi Arabia, here is a detailed list:

1. Wahba Crater – Hollow Depression With A Lake

With a 6.9 km diameter and 780 meters depth, the Al Wahba crater is among the most exciting treks offered by Saudi Arabia. The crater is a result of a phreatomagmatic eruption having a vast hollow depression and a lake in the center. It is rich in white crystals of sodium phosphate that glitters when seen from the sky. A dried lava field is visible on the northern edge of the crater. The spot is a perfect destination for stargazing.

Location and elevation – Situated on the western edge of Hafer Kishb Basalt Plateau, the trekking spot is approximately 250 km from Taif and 323 km from Jeddah. There is an elevation loss of around 780 meters in the trek.

Trail length – The lowest point in the crater is approximately 780 meters. The trek to the bottom of the crater takes around 45-60 minutes, and the upward trek takes 60-90 minutes, depending upon individuals’ fitness levels.

Difficulty level – Easy

Best time to visit – Trekkers are recommended to visit the crater during the winter months of November to June. If one wants to visit the destination in summers, they must start early or after 3 pm in the evening as the temperature can easily exceed 45°C during noon.

Know More: Al Wahbah Crater: A Stunning Natural Wonder In KSA

2. Edge Of The World – Escarpment Featuring Coral Fossils

Jebel Fihrayn, or the Edge of The World, is a 300 meters high cliff in Jebel Tuwaiq Region. Though most of the distance can easily be traversed with 4×4 vehicles, the way to the top of the cliff is what attracts trekkers worldwide. The cliff is a result of the movement of tectonic plates. It is famous for the mesmerizing sunset and sunrise. The region and escarpment entail various coral and wood fossils that act as amazement for the trekkers.

Location – Jebel Tuwaiq is 90 kilometers from Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia. The popular cliff of Jebel Fihrayn is further 15 kilometers from the main gate of the valley. The cliff is 300 meters tall situated on another 685 meters high rift making the total elevation gain 985 meters.

Trail Length – The trek length is divided into two segments which are 15 km on vehicle and 300 meters high cliff on foot.

Difficulty level – Easy

Best Time To Visit – As summers get extremely hot; therefore, the best season to visit Jebel Fihrayn is fall and winter, i.e., November to June.

Know More: Edge Of The World, Saudi Arabia: A Gorgeous Site For Hiking, Camping, And Sunrise-Views

3. Al Ula Mountain Trek – Hidden Valley In Arabian Desert

The Al Ula Mountain trek incorporates the peace of walking on a rugged path through parallel canyons. The trail includes scenic views of volcanic rocks, soft sand, and numerous petroglyphs from the Lihyanite and Dadanite periods. It encapsulates a major tourist attraction, the Lion Tombs of Dadan. In winters, trekkers can find water pools on the way; therefore, they must know how to swim or talk to their travel agency for life jackets. It also has a Hidden Valley trek which remains open at night when the starlight falls upon the canyons marking a majestic aura of the Arabian desert.

Location and elevation – The trek starts from Dunkin’, Unnamed Road 43541 Al Ula 43563, Saudi Arabia, which is 55 km from the Prince Abdul Majeed Bin Abdulaziz-Mogayla Airport. There is no substantial elevation gain on the trail, but it is a long trek.

Trail length – The main adventure trail is around 8 km, while the trek of the Hidden Valley is 4 km.

Difficulty level – Moderate

Best time to visit – October to April are the best months to visit and carry out Al Ula Adventure Trek. The average temperature ranges from 15°C-25°C during these months.

4. Wadi Al Disah – Archaeological Sites And Freshwater Springs

Wadi Al Disah is a gorgeous valley located in the northwestern Tabuk province of Saudi Arabia. As the meaning of Al Disah is “the valley of palm trees,” the valley is surrounded by palm trees. The valley houses sandstone cliffs and tall columns of rocks. It has several freshwater springs adding to the overall beauty of the valley. It also houses numerous archaeological sites from the Nabataean times.

Location and elevation – The Wadi Al Disah’s entrance is 260 kilometers from Tabuk. Trekkers have to drive to Al Disah, a small town near the trek. The trek has an elevation of 400 meters above sea level.

Trail length – The trek length is around 15 km that can be traveled on foot as well as 4×4 vehicles.

Difficulty level – Moderate

Best time to visit – The trail is accessible from November to March due to the optimal climatic conditions prevailing in these months.

5. Jabal Al Soudah –  Saudi Arabia’s Tallest Peak

Ranking among the tallest peaks in Saudi Arabia, Jabal Al Soudah provides an exulting trekking trail. The peak rises astoundingly up to 3133 meters (10,279 feet) from the sea level. The trek brims with lush green juniper trees and overwhelming landscapes. One should be careful of typical edges and dangerous spots present on the undulating trail. Experienced trekkers can easily reach the summit with moderate difficulty and enjoy the enthralling views from a large walkway present on the top.

Location – Situated in the Asir region of Saudi Arabia, Jabal Al Soudah is around 40 km from Abha. Trekkers and tourists can take private or public transport to easily reach Al Soudah region and start the trek from the town. The elevation gain after reaching the summit is 1290 meters.

Trail Length – Though the trek provides little elevation gain, the trail’s total distance is 15.4 km due to frequent rise and fall on the way.

Difficulty Level – Tough

Best Time To Visit – The region of Al Soudah experiences a moderate climate throughout the year. The average summer temperature is 25°C, and winter temperature remains 15°C, thus making it feasible to trek throughout the year.

Know More: Al Soudah: A Perfect Tourist Place In Asir, Saudi Arabia

Safety Tips

As most of the treks in Saudi Arabia present a moderate to high difficulty level, it is better to take safety measures before every trip.

Some safety tips while trekking in Saudi Arabia:

• One must pre-plan the trip and do accurate research about the area, weather, and other essentials near and around the trekking spots
• Trekkers should prepare themselves with the right equipment like trekking boots and clothes according to the terrain and weather, respectively
• Keeping oneself hydrated will not only help in enjoying the trek but will also prevent dehydration and dizziness
• Knowing the route beforehand by asking the locals or opting for travel guides is always a wise choice
• Trekkers are encouraged to travel in groups
• Bring a first aid kit and sleeping bag in case of emergency
• One must protect themselves from heat and extreme cold

Saudi Arabia is a treat for travelers and trekkers from around the world. Apart from the popular trekking trails in Saudi Arabia mentioned above, the kingdom offers many other extravagant trekking destinations. Various authorized tours and travel agencies work tirelessly to not only make the experience of trekking in Saudi safe, but also memorable. One can just go online, talk to travel experts, and plan one of the most mystical journeys.

Trekking Trails In Saudi Arabia FAQs

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Jebel Fihrayn has earned the title of ‘Edge of The World’ due to its location in a rocky desert, surrounded by geological wonders. Travelers flock to the landmark to immerse themselves in the scenic beauty of the place.

The Tuwaiq Mountain Range

The Tuwaiq mountain range lies 90 km from Riyadh and stretches 700 km from Jordan to the center of Saudi Arabia. It has proudly served as the overseer of the valley. It has also been found that the Tuwaiq Mountains contain fossils of coral reefs, clams, snails, and ammonites. This means that the dry, arid deserts that can be seen today were once submerged in water about 160 million years ago.

Sometimes the fog highlights the natural carvings around the multi-million-year-old edge. Adventure seekers often travel to engage in hiking, trekking, horseback riding, camel riding, and quad biking, available in the nearby Acacia Valley. This campground also offers a great opportunity for everyone to see the unusual desert sunsets and sky full of stars.

How to reach Edge of the World

Finding a way to the ‘Edge of The World’ is by far the most difficult part. There is no public transport to the location, so the only option to visit is via personal or hired car, hitchhiking or joining a tour group. Reaching this sublime location requires the use of an SUV with reliable GPS. It is also recommended to travel in a group of vehicles to minimize the risks of crossing the dry and ruthless desert alone. Many travel agencies also offer day trips with camping options.

Driving to the Edge of the World

If you plan to drive to the Edge of the World from Riyadh or any of the cities in Saudi Arabia, there are a few things to keep in mind. The most important is having a clear map of the route you want to take. There are two different routes to Jebel Fihrayn with Al Uyayna village as the starting point in both the routes.

Acacia Valley Route – At the beginning of this route, a turn is marked ‘Access EOW’ on Google Maps. A small section of the road is well curved, and there is another bend next to the dam. The turn is gated, which normally opens only on Fridays and Saturdays.

Sadus Dam Route – The sand on this route is relatively less loose, so it’s easier for two-wheelers to get around. It starts at Sadus Dam marked on Google Maps and continues to the Jebel Fihrayn. This route can be used at any day of the week as there is no gate at the entrance.

Other things to keep in mind are:

1. Keep enough water and eatables with you.
2. Try to join a group heading in the same direction.
3. Make sure you have enough knowledge of how to handle small car breakdowns, if needed.
4. Choose a suitable SUV for the drive.
5. It is not a suitable drive for old people and very young children.

Best time to visit Jebel Fihrayn

Jebel Fihrayn can be visited all year round, but the best time to visit Jebel Fihrayn is in winters when the skies are clear and the temperature is low. Winters are very pleasant (about 20°C during the day and a bit chilly at night). Summer temperatures exceed 50 degrees Celsius, making it impossible to walk around, and even stand in an observatory without shade.

The best time to get to Jebel Fihrayn is an hour or two before sunset. The light at this hour dyes the pale rocks in a bright orange color.

Popular activities at Edge of the World

1. Off-roading

There is no easy way to reach the Edge of the World. The path leading to the main attraction point is quite dangerous to drive. However, locals are familiar with it. Off-roading at the Edge of the World is best enjoyed when done with locals, in the right kind of 4×4 vehicle. One may also hitchhike with young adventures heading to the Acacia Valley to camp or visit the Edge of The World. Do not forget to bring plenty of water and food, there are absolutely no shops, eating options on the way.

2. Hiking

From the main parking lot, hikers can go up the cliff along the way. It may take about 2 hours round trip, depending on an individual’s stamina. Hikers are suggested to bring ample water since there is absolutely no provision of food and water on the way.

3. Watching the sunrise/sunset

Watching a sunrise or a sunset from this gorgeous cliff is definitely a sight to behold. Families and tourists come here to enjoy the beautiful views of the Tuwaiq range. It is time-taking to reach the last point of the cliff, especially in the day heat but the panorama is totally worth it.

4. Take a guided tour

If you are interested in understanding the geography of the place and the history of the Tuwaiq mountains, it is recommended to take a guided trip to Edge of the World Riyadh. The guides will help you delve into the history of the cliff and also make sure that your is comfortable and hassle-free. It is specially a good idea for families with kids.

5. Camping

Acacia valley is perfect for camping as the wind remains pleasantly calm and does not become turbulent. There are many trees and good campsites in the Acacia valley. People often come with their friends and family to enjoy the scenic beauty while camping in the valley.

More often than not, people posing for photos on the edge of huge cliffs risk themselves sliding down the cliff. Hence, tourists are strongly suggested not to do so. Further, tourists are recommended to wear appropriate footwear and maintain caution at all times while walking. With some basic precautions, it can be one of the most memorable parts of a trip to Riyadh. Edge of The World is the most talked-about tourist destination in Riyadh. Individuals travel from around the globe to experience the wonderful landscape.

Edge Of The World FAQs

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