'Untamed, stunning, and untouched:' Explore the dramatic hiking trails emerging in Saudi Arabia

Ben Hoffler, who always camps under the open sky during his desert hikes, describes it as 'one of the greatest joys of being on the trails—sleeping beneath the expansive, starry skies with the cool breeze brushing your face.'

'It’s incredibly freeing, it clears your mind,' says Hoffler, a hiking expert contributing to the creation of new hiking paths in Saudi Arabia.

'It truly inspires you, and it’s the best sleep I’ve ever had. The desert provides me with better rest than anywhere else on earth.'

One evening, while camping in the expansive Hisma desert in northwest Saudi Arabia, Hoffler settled in a wadi, a dried-up riverbed, when he woke to the sound of 'a lot of commotion' nearby.

After drifting off again, he awoke in the morning to find four camels nestled around him.

As he quietly rose, he spotted six more camels and soon realized that a herd of 20 had gathered in the wadi to sleep.

'I suppose they felt secure resting next to a human in the desert,' he reflects.

Hoffler, who has spent 15 years building trails across Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula and Jordan, is now collaborating with local guides, including Bedouin scouts, to revive Saudi Arabia’s ancient paths for both local and international adventurers.

He firmly believes that the image of Saudi Arabia as nothing but endless sand and scorching heat is nothing more than an illusion.

'Saudi Arabia's sheer size is the first thing that hits you,' he says.

A destination for all seasons

'It’s incredibly varied, with landscapes ranging from stark, black volcanic lava fields to red sandstone deserts reminiscent of Wadi Rum in Jordan, to high granite ranges like those in the Sinai of Egypt, and lush, forested mountains in the south.'

'The natural scenery here is truly remarkable—one of the most visually stunning places, if not the most stunning, I’ve ever encountered in the Middle East,' he says.

'Saudi Arabia feels so untamed, so beautiful, almost untouched. It feels more like an undiscovered destination than many others,' he adds.

Hiking has become an increasingly popular weekend activity for some residents of Saudi cities, especially those from the west coast or the capital, Riyadh, with several short and accessible trails to explore.

Located about an hour from Riyadh, hikers can easily visit the Tuwaiq Mountains, known for their dramatic sandstone cliffs and spectacular viewpoints, including one famous spot called the 'Edge of the World.'

Al Wahbah, a volcanic crater located four hours northeast of Jeddah, plunges 250 meters (820 feet) deep and stretches across 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) at the edge of a barren plateau. A 45-minute walk from the crater’s rim leads to its white, sodium phosphate crystal-filled center.

Wadi Al Disah is a lush, spring-fed valley, famously known as the 'Valley of Palm Trees,' encircled by towering sandstone cliffs in the southwest Tabuk province. It is renowned for its peaceful ambiance, ancient rock carvings, and the remnants of old fortresses.

Another popular but less-frequented trail leads to Jabal Abyad, or 'White Mountain,' named for its ash-covered surface. As Saudi Arabia’s tallest volcano at 2,093 meters (6,867 feet), Jabal Abyad is located in the vast Harrat Khaybar lava field, north of Medina. Other mountain ranges near Mecca and Taif, such as Al Hada, also provide hiking opportunities.

Though there are established tourist trails available, guided by licensed experts and tour companies, the trail network is still in its early stages, according to Hoffler. However, he sees great potential to transform Saudi Arabia into 'one of the world’s most remarkable hiking destinations.'

Thanks to cooler temperatures in the highlands, Saudi Arabia is an ideal year-round destination for hikers.

'This is what we’re focusing on for the next few years—creating well-designed trails for international tourists to experience the stunning scenery and natural beauty of Saudi Arabia,' says Yasmin Gahtani, a rock-climbing instructor and managing director of the Saudi Climbing and Hiking Federation (SCHF), whose mission is to encourage outdoor activities, tourism, and competitive sports.

'The infrastructure still needs to be more developed for independent travelers. There are no official guidebooks yet—everything relies on word-of-mouth or guides of all genders to show people around. While the country is certainly safe, your experience will be much better if you have a trail map, and we’re not quite there yet,' he explains.

Breathtaking vistas

Hoffler is based in the Hejaz mountains—'one of Arabia’s most legendary mountain ranges'—which runs from the middle of the Red Sea coast to the Gulf of Aqaba and Jordan. The highest peak, Jabal Al-Lawz, rises over 2,500 meters above sea level and is one of the few places in Saudi Arabia to receive regular snowfall.

'From the high peaks of the Hejaz, you can gaze out over the Red Sea, and on a clear day, the jagged peaks of the Sinai come into view. On exceptionally clear days, you might even spot the highlands of Africa in the distance—it's truly breathtaking,' says Hoffler.

In the northwest Tabuk region, the mountains inland from Umluj offer another distinct landscape, featuring cinder cones (volcanic conical hills), vast lava fields, known locally as 'harrat,' and enormous lava tubes—large enough to drive a bus through, according to Hoffler.

The British adventurer also frequently explores the immense Hisma desert, with its red sand dunes and towering sandstone formations, stretching up into Jordan and encompassing the famous Wadi Rum.

'These landscapes are interwoven with ancient paths, some dating back hundreds, even thousands of years, passed down through generations and different peoples,' he notes.

The challenge in the Saudi Hisma desert, according to Hoffler, is that the 'drift' of the semi-nomadic Bedouin people into towns has led many of the old trails to fall into neglect and disuse.

'What we often discover is that these paths are in a very poor state of preservation—it’s almost like walking through an archaeological site,' he remarks.

Whenever he encounters Bedouin on the trails, Hoffler says his experiences have always been nothing short of positive.

'The Bedouin are renowned worldwide for their hospitality. They provide a sense of sanctuary, no matter where you are in the desert,' he says. 'They always ensure you’re well-fed, have a cup of tea in your hand, and are fully taken care of before continuing your journey.'

'A truly magical place'

Further south, just below Jeddah, the Sarawat mountain range extends into the southwest Asir region, home to Saudi Arabia's highest peaks, including Jabal Sawda and Jabal Ferwa’, both rising over 3,000 meters (9,840 feet). Al Soudah, with its cable car to Jabal Sawda, is a key part of government plans to develop a luxury resort area called Soudah Peaks as part of Vision 2030.

This region is teeming with potential for hiking and camping, and it’s also where Saudi-Lebanese mountaineer Nelly Attar trains, having conquered Everest in 2019 and achieved a record by becoming the first Arab woman to summit K2, the world’s second-highest peak, in 2022.

The region experiences two rainy seasons: one from February to April, and another from July to August. Temperatures rarely soar to the levels typical of the coastal areas.

'Lower down, you’ll find juniper trees, lush vegetation, cacti, fruits, and animals,' she shared with Dinogo. 'Some areas even resemble the tropical landscapes of Kilimanjaro.'

'We often spot baboons here. It’s truly magical. I come here to train, but I leave feeling peaceful and completely calm because there’s no one else on the trail,' she says.

'I never imagined I’d discover a hidden gem like this in the GCC. People often think of Saudi Arabia as just a desert, but it has so many diverse landscapes. I’ve lived here most of my life and still haven’t seen most of what Saudi has to offer. I’m so excited for this country to open up,' she adds.

The capital of Asir, Abha, is a popular hilltop city located about 2,270 meters (7,450 feet) above sea level, known for its cool climate, historic fortresses, and stunning mountain views. It is easily accessible through Abha International Airport.

Around 120 kilometers north of Abha lies Tanomah, a town often enveloped in fog, but famed for its waterfalls, juniper and pine forests, and outdoor activities in Al Sharaf Park.

'Tanomah offers beautiful climbing rocks and some incredible hiking trails,' says Gahtani.

'I absolutely adore this place. It has such a magical quality—something I can’t quite put into words. There’s this peaceful energy, and everyone who visits feels it too. Surrounded by towering rock cliffs, it feels like you’re completely cut off from the outside world, which is incredibly peaceful,' she says.

'Hiking in Saudi Arabia is like stepping into untouched territory. There are so many pristine locations, and the serenity is unlike anything else,' she adds.