How an unexpected Middle Eastern destination is becoming a climbing haven

Abdulrahman Alabdu dangles from a cliff, drilling into the rock and inserting stainless steel bolts into each hole. In this remote part of Saudi Arabia, his tools are the only sound that breaks the stillness. He estimates that only 30 to 50 outsiders have ever set foot in this area.

“This place is really isolated,” he says, taking a break from his work. “Maybe a few hikers have come through. But mostly, it’s just the locals who live here and tend to the sheep.”

Alabdu is Saudi Arabia’s first certified rock climbing instructor. In his free time, he creates new climbing routes, hoping to bring more attention to the sport. Over the past four years, he’s bolted 11 new routes in Tanomah, a town in southwestern Saudi Arabia.

As Saudi Arabia invests in sports both internationally and locally, Alabdu says he hopes to help raise the profile of rock climbing.

“Most people wouldn’t consider Saudi Arabia as a top climbing destination. But that’s exactly what we’re aiming for – to change that perception by adding more routes, making them accessible, and promoting the sport.”

A major investment in sports

In recent years, Saudi Arabia has garnered global attention for its massive investments in sports. From high-profile football contracts—including the 2034 FIFA World Cup—to launching the LIV golf series, the country has poured billions into these ventures. Critics argue this spending is a form of 'sportwashing' to divert attention from its human rights issues, but officials defend it as a strategy to diversify the nation’s oil-dependent economy under Saudi Vision 2030.

Within its borders, Saudi Arabia is actively encouraging its citizens to adopt more active lifestyles and improve their health. The nation aims to increase the number of Saudis who exercise at least once a week by 2030. To achieve this, the government is organizing sports events, national campaigns, and competitions.

Football reigns as Saudi Arabia’s favorite sport, but between 2015 and 2022, the number of sports federations in the country tripled. Today, Saudi Arabia is home to over 95 federations, including the Saudi Hiking and Climbing Federation, which was founded in 2018.

Exploring new climbing routes in Saudi Arabia

Alabdu was born in Abha, a city in southwestern Saudi Arabia, and spent his childhood between there and Jeddah. He took up climbing in 2014 and has since climbed in at least 17 countries, from Australia to Vietnam. For a time, he believed his passion for climbing could only be pursued abroad.

“When I first returned to Saudi Arabia… I couldn’t find rock of the same quality that I had been climbing on outside the country,” he recalls. “I thought, ‘I’ll only climb when I travel.’ That was a bit discouraging.”

Everything changed for Alabdu in 2016 when he visited Tanomah for the first time. The area boasts moderate temperatures year-round and is home to the Sarawat Mountains, which stretch from southwestern Saudi Arabia to Yemen. Not only did he discover more reliable and safer rock faces for climbing, but the mountains also offered a variety of accessible routes just a short distance from the town.

“[Tanomah] is a bit of a drive from Riyadh and Jeddah,” he explains. “But once you get here, it’s totally worth it. You can get from the hotel to the crag in under 10 minutes, which is a huge advantage.”

Motivated by his discovery, Alabdu traveled to Nevada to train with the American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA). In 2019, after completing the AMGA single-pitch instructor program, he became Saudi Arabia’s first certified rock-climbing instructor.

Sharing a love for climbing

In 2021, Alabdu founded what is now known as Granite Climbing. He works with the government and businesses to establish both indoor and outdoor climbing facilities across Saudi Arabia. Additionally, he leads climbing expeditions for tourists and offers both private and group lessons.

“A lot of people think climbing is too difficult, but the truth is, there are routes for all skill levels… from easy, beginner-friendly paths to more challenging ones,” Alabdu says, rummaging through his backpack. “You’ll see people who think, ‘I’ll never be able to do this.’ But once they try, they conquer it—and then they do another one. Suddenly, they’re rock climbers.”

“This is what I love about climbing – and about teaching it,”

Alabdu estimates that he has taught climbing to around 300 people in Saudi Arabia. While most sign up for a single introductory lesson, a few return regularly for more sessions.

When he's not teaching, Alabdu spends much of his time in Tanomah, bolting new climbing routes. His process involves clearing rock faces of loose debris, selecting the best spots for stainless steel bolts, and carefully drilling them into place.

On this September morning, Alabdu is working on bolting a new route on a crag in Alsharaf Park. The rock face he’s working on rises to about 2,300 meters. In addition to the 11 routes he has established in Tanomah, he has bolted roughly 10 more in a small town south of Riyadh.

Alabdu’s bolting work is driven by his passion for sharing climbing with others. However, he also acknowledges his personal motivation. Many climbing trips require a partner—someone to belay, or counterbalance the climber from the ground. Since climbing is still relatively new in Saudi Arabia, it can be difficult to find belayers in the region.

“Finding climbing partners is a common challenge in Saudi,” Alabdu says. “But the solution is simple—make the climbing area popular. The more people come, the easier it is to find someone to climb with.”

“I hope this will attract climbers from the GCC, from Saudi Arabia, and even internationally,” he says with a chuckle. “And it might sound a bit selfish, but this way I’ll always have belayers.”