Mountains of Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia occupies the zone of a vast desert plateau, whose height varies from 300 to 1520 m above sea level. It varies smoothly from the lowlands of the Persian Gulf to the mountain ranges located on the shore of the Red Sea. The mountains are in the western part of the country and stretch from north to south.

Saudi Arabia occupies the zone of a vast desert plateau, whose height varies from 300 to 1520 m above sea level. It varies smoothly from the lowlands of the Persian Gulf to the mountain ranges located on the shore of the Red Sea. The mountains are in the western part of the country and stretch from north to south.

general information

The peaks of the ridges have a relatively small height (up to 2,400 m in the south-west), while they abound in dry valleys, which are considered difficult to traverse. In the mountains of Saudi Arabia there is a minimum number of passes, from which it is necessary to single out "harrat" - this is a series of stony deserts located on the eastern slopes.

The most famous mountains in Saudi Arabia

The main mountains of the country are:

1. Jabal al-Lawz - is in the north-west of the state, near the Gulf of Aqaba and the border with Jordan. The ridge belongs to the province of Tabuk , has a charred top, which is located at an altitude of 2400 m, and is considered the largest in the country. The name of the mountain is translated as "Almond". On its southern side beats the Al-Ain spring, in the north-east passes the pass Nakb-al-Hadzhiya, and on the east - Wadi Hweiman. It was here in the old days that Moses struck a huge stone with a rod, and water poured out of it. Through this crack, you can go today.
2. Abu Kubais - located in the immediate vicinity of the Kaaba in Mecca . Its height is 420 m. This rock, together with the peak of Quaikaan (located on the opposite side) is called Al-Akhshabeyn. The mountain has a rich history connected with Islam and performing Hajj. In particular, the Black Stone was found here.
3. El-Asir - is a mountain range located in the south-west of the country and belonging to the same administrative district. The area of ​​the massif is 100 thousand square meters. km. It was formed from granite rocks of cryptozoic in the Cretaceous, Jaleogene and Jurassic periods. Here, every year, the greatest amount of precipitation (up to 1000 mm) falls in the country. On the slopes of the mountain, locals grow cotton, wheat, ginger, coffee, indigo, a variety of vegetables and palm trees. In the valleys you can find endangered South Arabian leopards, camels, goats and sheep.
4. Alal Badr (Hallat al-Badr) is part of the lava field of Harrat al-Uwairid. Some researchers and analysts (for example, I. Velikovsky and Sigmund Freud) assumed that this mountain is the site of the Sinai revelation. They proceeded from the fact that during the Exodus the volcano could be active.
5. Arafat - the mountain is located near Mecca and is the most famous in Saudi Arabia. It was on her that Muhammad delivered the last sermon in his life, and Adam and Eve knew each other. This is a sacred place for Islamic pilgrims, which is included in the traditional hajj and is its culmination. Believers should climb steep paths and cross the Mazamayn Gorge. Then they fall into the valley (the width is 6.5 km, the length is 11 km, and the height is 70 m) where they need to perform 2 religious rites - "standing on Mount Arafat" and "stoning Satan" on the Jamarat Bridge . Unfortunately, the event is not always well organized, and during pandemoniums people often die here.
6. Uhud - is located in the northern part of Medina and is considered sacred. The peak reaches 1126 meters above sea level. Here in 625 on March 23, there was a battle between the pagan Quraysh, led by Abu Sufyan, and local Muslims, led by the Prophet Muhammad. The latter lost the battle and suffered losses in the form of 70 dead, including the murder of an uncle of a preacher named Hamz ibn Abd el-Muttalib. According to Islamic legends, the mountain is on the top of the gate leading to Paradise.
7. El-Hijaz is a mountain range located on the territory of the same historical and geographical region in the west of the country. On the east side it adjoins the coastal zone of the Red Sea. The maximum height reaches a mark of 2100 m. On its slopes there is a row of wadi where oases are formed, fed by springs and short-term showers. Here is the tract Mahd-ad-Dhahab, which is the only gold deposit in the Arabian Peninsula, which is currently being developed.
8. Nur (Tzebel-i-Nur) - is located on the north side of Mecca. On the mountain there is the Cave of Hira, famous in Saudi Arabia, because in it the prophet Muhammad bin Abdullah loved to seclude himself for reflection. Here he received the first divine revelation (5 ayah surai al-Alak). The grotto is facing the Kaaba and has a length of 3.5 m and a width of 2 m. To him often come the Islamic pilgrims who want to touch the shrines and get closer to Allah.
9. Shafa is a low mountain, which is a tourist center. You can climb here by cable car, bus or on foot, but in the latter case sports training is required. From the top there is a stunning view of the city and the valleys. Here you can get acquainted with the local flora, see baboons, get a picnic and get some fresh air.
10. Al-Baida (Wadi Jinn) - this area is famous for its strong magnetic field. Here, any car with the engine turned off can accelerate to 200 km / h. On top of the mountain there are places for relaxation, cafes and restaurants.
11. Al-Karah - is famous for its formations, caves and picturesque landscapes. To move here is best accompanied by a guide who will not only tell the history of the mountain, but also conduct on the safe tourist routes.