Outdoor activities- climbing
“Stop staring at mountains. Climb them instead, yes, it’s a harder process but it will lead you to a better view.”
Anonymous
Whenever Saudi Arabia is mentioned, people usually ask what kind of activities they can do outdoors, is there anything besides desert. So, I have decided to write a series called outdoor activities in Saudi. So, here we go post 1
Saudi Arabia is known for its diverse nature in all regions; although many people think that Saudi Arabia is ONLY desert. The diversity of its nature makes Saudi Arabia a great place for different activities. Climbing is one of the different activities, there are many beautiful destinations around the kingdom where you can climb. Fortunately, most of these places have nice weather. The Saudi climbing federation has started developing some of the area and establish some climbing routes. This article is going to mention all these places and other has not developed by the federation yet. So, if you want to plan your next climbing trip, keep reading.
Declaimer: you should be aware of the weather of the place you are going to visit, you should therefore, obey any warning message giving by the Saudi civil defense as they send warning message if the weather make any kind of trip unsafe.
- Al-shafa:
Al-shafa is a small village in Al-taif city, in the western side of the kingdom. The city itself is on mountain base. Therefore, the weather is beautiful most of the time < at least for me> and especially in the summer, which makes it an escape place for many residents in the western region. Al-shafa has the second largest, highest peak mountain in the kingdom. Al-shafa mountains are at 2,300m altitude and where the valleys bound among these mountains. These mountains considered the first Olympic that professionally-developed as a sport climbing area in the Kingdom. There are 38 routes developed from 4 to the 8th grade in both sport and trad styles. I would recommend going there in an organized trip by the Saudi climbing federation, as you would be accompanied by well trained people.
The location:
- Tanomah:
Tanomah is a city in the southern region of the kingdom, in Asir province. The southern part of the kingdom known for its rainy, cold weather almost all the year round. The area has huge mountains, one of these mountains is at 2,000 m altitude, and it is a few minutes away from Al-Sharaf park. The routes have developed by the Saudi climbing federation.
The location: 18.577.66n , 844.16e
- Wadi* Al-Hariq:
In the central region of the kingdom mils away from the capital city, there is a small town called Al-Hariq. Somewhere near this town, Wadi Al- Hariq is located. The weather in this city is hot, however, it is getting colder in the winter and spring. So, I would recommend going there during these times, trust me, you cannot handle the heat in the summer time. Listen to a Native!
Al-wadi mountain is about 1000 meters high. The area has been developed lately by the Saudi hiking federation and it hosts now 38 climbs from 3 to 7b+.
Location: It located 2.5 h from Riyadh about 220 km and 35 minute from Hariq about 35 km.
23°41′.21″N 46°17’21.89″E
- Al-ula crag:
Al-Ula is very known city in my country as it has the first UNSCO registered historical site. As most of the area around the kingdom, Al-ula is hot during summer. So, the best time to visit and practice your hobby is in the winter and the springtime. As far as I know the Saudi hiking and climbing federation have planned to develop a route, however, nothing has been released yet. I will update you once I got the needed information. BTW, I have written about Al-ula many post click here.
Location:
26.7434870, 37.4199140
- Neom crag:
Neom is located in Tabuk region northeast of Saudi Arabia. It is a special place because it is a coastal/ mountain area, which makes it a great place for different activity including climbing. The weather is beautiful in the winter / spring time, at least for me (if you don’t like the rain, then it might not be a beautiful weather to you ). To climb a Neom mountain you need to be expert person, no entry level as you might get injured. Besides that, the mountain itself absorbs water, so, if it is raining or has rained in the last 24 hours, DO NOT go and climb for your own safety. It is dangerous.
images below by mohammad Al-sharif
@mohamed_5575
Location: 28°51’34.44″N 35°32’36.07″E between Al Sharaf and Bir Bin Hirmas on Highway 394.
- Jabal Al-noor:
It is a famous mountain in Saudi Arabia, and it is located in my city Makkah. Although many people climb/ hike it to visit Qar Hera because its religious / historical events, the mountain itself is a great place to climb. However, I haven’t heard any other person came to climbed it as a professional. I think the reason behind it is as I said before the mountain linked to the religion/ historical events. So, the area it mostly crowded. The weather in Makkah is a hot all the year around, but this hasn’t prevented visitor to hike to the top of the mountain. NOTE: you cannot enter the city if you are not Muslim so keep that in your mind.
- Hail:
Hail is located in the northern region of the kingdom. It has many mountains you can climb; however, it is not yet developed by Saudi climbing and hiking federation. Hail has amazing weather in autumn, winter and spring, so, it is a perfect destination during these seasons. You can go to climb in Wadi Uqdah and Wadi Mashaar. Mashaar is located on the outskirts of town across from the Arab Open University.
- Tabuk:
Tabuk is located in the northeast of the kingdom, and it has many beautiful places which make it a perfect destination for climbing and other activities. Tabuk has amazing weather, except in summer I think. Oh, did I mention it snows in the winter?
There are different places where you can climb, such as the area between miqnah and wadi tayyib Al- Ism. The best time to take this adventurer would be in winter, spring and autumn. BTW, this gorge between miqnah and wadi Tayyib Al-Ism is believed to be prophet Moses’ route out of Egypt. so, you are not only enjoying the beautiful scenery, but also a History and ancient place.
Another place is located a few miles away from Tabuk is Wadi Al-Ain Al Zarqa and Wadi Gamir, just outside the village of Ad Disah, about 2.5 miles east of the village of Shigri a dirt track leads two miles north to the rim of Ash Shiq.
Do you think I have done with the climbing places in Tabuk ? you are wrong, I have not finished yet. There is another beautiful place where you can go to climb and picnic, etc. this place found northwest of Tabuk, east of the village of Al- Zeitah along the Highway 394. The area is massive and looks like an island of stones surrounded by miles of sand. To go there you need 4wd or your own foot.
Wadi Lajab:
Wadi Lajab is located in the southern Just a few minutes away from Khamis Mushayt, you can reach Wadi Lajab-Wadi Athrab complex from the village of Ar Raith.
This is the end of my post, hope you enjoyed and start planning for your next visit or/and climb. If you did so let me know in the comment section, also let me know if you have been to any of these places.
Salam !
