A tranquil route, the paved road eventually gives way to an established gravel track which winds through a valley surrounded by cactus, rose and date farms. A series of manmade ponds have been constructed to capture the rainfall as it tries to escape the valley. These mini oases are slices of paradise, home to exotic birds and azure-blue lizards.

The rose farms dotted throughout this route are a confusing sight, more at home in an English garden than in a country with a desert climate. The neat rows of rose trees are a huge contrast to the rugged mountain terrain that surrounds them. The farmers in the region are proud of their heritage and are usually more than happy to show interested tourists around their fields and workshops.

  Ponds

To survive in this climate, locals have developed many methods of utilising the landscape. Along this route you’ll find a series of ponds which have been constructed at strategic places to catch the rainfall as it makes it way through the valley. Some of these ponds are tiered to ensure that the water is shared across a wider expanse of farmland. They attract an amazing array of wildlife, so don’t forget to bring your camera.

LABOUR OF LOVE

It takes between 10,000 and 15,000 flower heads to make a single ‘tolah’ (11.7g) of essential oil. The process to extract the oil from the petals is called steam distillation. The large stills, which are traditionally copper, are filled with roses and water and fired for over an hour. The vapourised water and rose oil enter a condensing apparatus before being collected in a flask. The laborious nature of production means these vials can cost upwards of USD 800 globally.

  Rose Garden

Taif’s position 1,800m above sea level in the Sarawat Mountains means it is cooler and benefits from periods of heavy rainfall. Known as the ‘Orchard of Saudi Arabia’, it is a popular destination for tourists and its roses are one of the biggest draws. If you are lucky enough to visit in April and witness the brief window when the flowers bloom, the scent pervades the valley creating a multi-sensory experience unlike any other.

DRIVING DIRECTION

A beautiful drive through rose farms, this route will take you through a breathtaking array of nature. You can make the drive as easy or challenging as you like.

  1     Follow the paved road up the mountain.

  2     Stop at the ponds, then continue on the paved road.

  3     When the road splits into three, pick the route that best suits you. We recommend following the track to the far right for a longer off-road experience.

  4     Bear right and follow the track for a nice view of the area or proceed straight to the Rose Garden.

  5     Depending on the earlier directions you chose, turn right or left onto the track to reach the finish.