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The idea that Saudi Arabia is just sand, desert and heat is proving to be just a mirage.

Many experienced trail hikers insist that “the potential is there” to develop Saudi Arabia into “one of the most outstanding hiking destinations in the world,” thanks to its wild, beautiful, and mostly untrodden landscape.

Ben Hoffler has spent 15 years plotting trails in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula as well as in Jordan and is now collaborating with local guides, including Bedouin scouts, to preserve Saudi Arabia’s traditional routes for both local and international hikers. And he argues that the image of Saudi Arabia as sand, desert, and heat is an illusion.

“Saudi Arabia is absolutely vast in scale, that is the first thing that strikes me,” he told CNN. “It’s also incredibly diverse, you get everything from jet black volcanic lava fields to red sandstone deserts like you might see in Wadi Rum (in Jordan), to high granite ranges like you’d see in the Sinai (in Egypt), to green forested rolling mountains in the south”.

Hiking is a relatively new but growing weekend pastime for some Saudi city inhabitants, with a variety of easy short treks close to major populated areas.

One of the most popular hikes that is easily reached is the Tuwaiq Mountains’ sandstone escarpment, which features multiple clifftop overlooks, including one called “Edge of the World.”

Another well-known but less-travelled walk is to Jabal Abyad, which means “White Mountain” in Arabic and is named after its ash covering. Jabal Abyad, Saudi Arabia’s highest volcano at 2,093 metres, is located in the massive Harrat Khaybar lava field north of Medina. Al Hada, a mountain outside of Mecca and Taif, has trekking paths as well.

“That’s what we’re working on for the next couple of years, proper trails for tourists from outside Saudi to come and experience the scenery and nature that Saudi offers.”

“It still needs to be more properly developed for people to go independently. There are still no guidebooks, it’s all word of mouth or through hiking guides, of both genders, to take people out. The country is safe, of course, but you’ll have a better experience if you have a map of the trails, and we’re still not there.”

Hoffler is based in the Hejaz mountains – which he says is “one of the most fabled ranges of Arabia.” The highest point is Jabal Al-Lawz in the extreme north, more than 2,500 metres above sea level and one of the few areas in Saudi Arabia that receives regular snowfall.

“When I’m up on the high peaks of the Hejaz you can look out over the Red Sea and on a clear day you can see the high jagged peaks of the Sinai and on a very clear day you can even see the highlands of Africa, which is absolutely spectacular,” says Hoffler.

“Hiking in Saudi Arabia is very virgin, there are so many untouched locations and it’s very serene.”

Saudi Arabia is often perceived as just sand and heat, but according to the people who visit, the country offers ‘magic’ for those who want to take the path less travelled.

[source:cnn]