Hiking in Abha, Saudi Arabia: A 3 day adventure in the Aseer Mountains

Saudi Arabia wasn't somewhere I ever imagined I'd be going for a hiking trip, but after a few days in the Aseer region, that quickly changed. In November, I flew to Abha to take part in a 3day hiking adventure through the Sarawat Mountains with HIGHLANDER.

Located in the southwest of Saudi Arabia, the Aseer region is home to some of the country's most iconic landscapes, including Jabal Soudah - the highest peak in Saudi Arabia.

Arriving in Saudi:

Getting into Saudi was surprisingly straightforward, I applied for a tourist visa online, I think it cost around £80 and it was approved very quickly. After around 15 hours of travel (and two flights) from Scotland I landed in Abha. We made it through security seamlessly and booked an Uber via the app to take us to our hotel (the uber cost around £8). After a short journey we arrived at the Abha Palace Hotel which was absolutely beautiful, where we were greeted with dates & Arabic coffee on arrival. I have to confess that by the time I left Saudi I had eaten my own body weight in dates 😅 - they are just so delicious here.

Visiting Saudi as a Woman:

One of the most asked questions I got before travelling here was what it would be like for a solo female traveller. And honestly, I felt completely safe the entire time. Everyone I met was kind, welcoming and respectful. Things are changing very quickly in Saudi, and while it is still important to dress modestly and carry yourself with respect, I never felt uncomfortable or restricted at all during my time in the country.

Top Tips

• dress modestly - keep shoulders, knees/ankles and cleavage covered. I avoided tight gym-style clothing and felt much more comfortable doing so

• small cultural things go a long way - like using your right hand for eating, shaking and giving and receiving items

• alcohol is forbidden in Saudi - do not attempt to bring or buy any

• ask permission before taking photographs of any locals

• carry a scarf or something to cover your head for visiting religious sites

• mirror the behaviour of locals - Saudis value respect

• never offer your hand to the opposite gender, wait until they offer you. You should smile and nod if unsure

• act courteous and respectful - avoid swearing and shouting

Adventure Diary:

Arrival Day

After a long flight we finally arrived at Abha Regional Airport and made our way through security which was surprisingly simple and efficient. After grabbing our luggage, and ordering an Uber we were on our way to our hotel for the evening - The Abha Palace Hotel. Upon our arrival at reception we were treated to hot tea and dates (this would be the first of many for me), as we waited for our rooms we observed the beautiful architecture and traditional Saudi décor of the hotel. The afternoon was ours to do as we liked, so a few of us went for a wander around the hotel to try to get a feel for this new and exciting country. One thing I did notice straight away is that the locals are extremely friendly and proud - everyone seemed very keen to welcome us and to tell us about their country.

That afternoon, the whole team met for a welcome briefing, where we also picked up our bibs, food supplies and found out the information for the days ahead. This was a great opportunity to meet everyone who would become my hiking buddies over the next few days. We finished off the evening by getting to know each other over a delicious buffet dinner in the hotel. The choices were brilliant - beef wellington, mixed grill, and I even tried ugali for desert and everything was cooked well and tasted great. Then it was time to grab an early night ahead of our adventure tomorrow.

Day 1

We awoke for an early morning breakfast, which was just as delicious as the buffet dinner the night before with so much choice - I could really get used to this way of eating but it was time for us to head off to the mountains. We left the hotel and drove to Husaak Tabab - a clifftop accommodation site with insane views and rows of glamping lodges (which unfortunately we were not staying in).

The first thing that hit me was the wind, like literally it was so windy up on the clifftop which was not what I expected at all. From there we started the hike, descending a steep scree path into a deep valley and out of the wind. This was one of those sections where you had to properly focus on your footing but at the same time I couldn't help myself from looking up and gazing in awe at the landscape. Again this was completely different to what I had imagined it would be like in Saudi Arabia, rocky and rugged and almost prehistoric in parts.

As we moved through the valley a local on the hike was sharing his knowledge with us of the extensive wildlife that lives in these mountains - wolves, leopards, monkeys... it was interesting to hear what kind of creatures call this landscape home. One of the coolest things we did find was porcupine spikes (pictured), these fascinated me as they were a lot bigger and sharper than I had imagined. As we continued, we passed by old crumbling buildings as we weaved through the valley which made it feel like we had stepped back in time, passing juniper covered slopes and jagged rock formations. The area was also home to darkling beetles, these big black bugs were pretty epic - one even caught my attention for a closer look.

By the time we made it back to Camp Husaak we had covered about 10km for the day, not too far but in that heat we were all feeling a satisfying tiredness. We pitched our tents, watched the sunset over the mountains and then after dinner we got to spend the evening making Ugali and making our own flower crown at a workshop held by locals.

A perfect end to the first day - good food, good people and a good sunset.

Day 2

Day two felt so much hotter - like seriously melting. Us Scottish people aren't used to this kind of heat at all, and as there was no breeze in the air to cool us down.

We made our way along the ridgelines and over the rugged terrain, regularly stopping to admire the wild beauty surrounding us. As we continued on the trek, the views along the way just kept on getting better: big open drops, endless layers of mountains and a feeling of being very small in a very vast space. At one point it made me feel as though we were walking on the moon. As we kept climbing, we spotted a golden eagle soaring in the sky, high above the cliffs. Its huge wings were stretched out as it flew above us. Watching it loop around made me feel super connected to nature and the wildlife that was all around us (even the ones we couldn't spot).

After about 10km the finish line came into view and we made our way towards a cliff edge. Reaching the finish line felt like a proper celebration, a reward for our effort under the sweltering sun. The views from the cliff edge here were phenomenal, and as the sun started to set the sky began to develop a warm golden glow. We pitched our tents as the sun started to make its way down and the air cooled. Feeling a wonderful sense of accomplishment as our hiking adventure was coming to an end.

Abha

That evening, back in Abha, we swapped our hiking boots for a traditional Saudi dinner experience at Bab Al Turath. We sat on the floor, ate with our hands and were served a whole cooked lamb which was placed in front of us (bones and all). It felt like a first hand glimpse into Saudi dining and culture.

We ended the night by swapping stories and reminiscing on the past few days. A group of people who barely knew each other 48 hours ago, now laughing and joking like close friends. Once again, the HIGHLANDER delivered - new friendships, unforgettable memories and a unique experience that took me by surprise in the best way possible.