08
Jaww – Jabal Aja
541km
100km
Driving MODERATE WADI DRIVE – 4WD REQUIRED
Best for WADI BASHING & PICNICS
Recommended for A VARIED DAY OUT
This route travels into the heart of Jabal Aja and, in doing so, the heart of Saudi Arabia’s heritage. It is a mountain steeped in ancient folklore. Local legend states that Jabal Aja’s name stems from the tragic love story of Aja and Salma, who, disowned by their families, were both killed – one on top of Jabal Aja and the other atop Jabal Salma, south of Hail.
There are a lot of ruins scattered across this area. Bombarded by the elements, they are in varying states of disrepair. Make sure you are careful when exploring them as they may be fragile in places. If you climb, do so with extreme caution.
Jabal Aja is a popular destination for both tourists and locals. Despite the crowds, this route will take you off the beaten track as it traverses the mountain’s multiple wadis, offering picturesque scenery, historical heritage sites and tranquil picnic spots. A mixture of paved roads and sandy, gravel tracks, it provides a varied driving experience that is suitable for pros and beginners alike. Combine with a visit to Hail’s date market and museums for a full weekend of culture.
Bikers Valley
Being so close to the city and accessible by paved road, it’s easy to see why this valley is such a popular picnic location for locals. Framed by the red granite mountains of Jabal Aja and surprisingly green, the valley boasts many nice spitting spots, even when busy. The wide-open space and loose gravel sand is also the perfect playground for quad bikers. If you came without, you can hire one from the stall that is conveniently located off the paved road further along the route. Take the track on the right to venture further into the valley for a more secluded spot.
ARABIC POETRY
Poetry is an integral part of Saudi Arabia’s cultural heritage and has long been intertwined with elements of folklore and mythology. The pre-Islamic poets Imru’ al-Qais and Hatim al-Tai explored themes of chivalry, longing and pride, and are recognised as some of the most influential people in Arabic literature. Their vivid descriptions of the desert share many similarities with Nabati poetry, which is known as ‘the people’s poetry’. It is distinguished by its colloquial, oral form, used to convey indigenous knowledge and wisdom between generations of Bedouin people.
Ain Balthah
Situated within a peaceful area of the mountainous valley, Ain Baltah is a freshwater spring surrounded by impressive date palms. There are remnants of traditional Arabian mudbrick houses here and a plaque reads ‘for people of the mountain’, referencing a line from 6th century poet Imru’ al-Qais' poem, the words highlighting the cultural significance of the area.
BIRD LOVERS
Jabal Aja has been declared an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area by BirdLife International and keen birdwatchers should be on the lookout for falcons and Egyptian vultures.
Wadi Drive
If you’ve been itching to put your 4WD into action, this adventurous wadi is the ideal opportunity. The track here becomes largely unestablished, and you’ll need to navigate over some of the bigger rocks in this narrow valley. Along the way, you’ll pass by clusters of date palms, some of which have been fenced off for cultivation. The splash of green brings welcome relief and contrasts starkly against the black mountain tops.
Wadi Namas & Oasis
To get to the sand track, you’ll first need to navigate through a village. Look out for the local majlis which closely resembles a fort – you may be lucky enough to be asked in for gahwa and dates. Well worth the detour, Wadi Namas cuts through the mountainous landscape and despite the arid climate, there are plenty of flourishing oases dotted around. Your arrival at the oasis is signalled by sprawling palm trees that block your path. While you won’t be able to drive any further, you can head into the valley on foot.
Hatim al-Tai’s Palace & Tomb
The ruins of a Hatim al-Tai’s majestic palace are located just off the main road. A 6th-century poet, Hatim al-Tai was known for his generosity which is reflected in the widely used Arabic proverb: ‘more generous than Hatim’. He was the ruling prince of the Tayy tribe and his son Adi Ibn Hatim was known to be a companion of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). The mudbrick structure of the palace still stands strong, and you can scramble amongst the ruins and also pay a visit to Hatim al-Tai’s nearby tomb, which in contrast to the palace, is marked only by a humble arrangement of stones.
While not on the main route, we also recommend visiting the below cultural attractions in Hail:
Hail Regional Museum
This modern museum showcases historical artefacts such as pottery and tools from the stone age alongside cultural heritage items such as artworks, clothing and jewellery. Divided into different exhibition halls, the museum also has a section dedicated to geology where you can see samples of the region’s rocks as well the petroglyphs found in Jubbah. It’s free to enter and well worth a visit, but be sure to check opening times before setting off.
Hail Local Heritage Museum
Situated in a traditional Najd house and popular with tourists, this museum displays a range of antiques, textiles, as well as historical photographs and documents relevant to the Hail area. There is an attractive courtyard in the middle where locals convene for cups of coffee. Open Saturday to Thursday from 9am–12 pm and 4pm–12am, and on Fridays from 4pm–12am. The entrance fee is SAR 20.
IN THE LARGER TOWNS AND CITIES. CARDS ARE WIDELY ACCEPTED FOR PAYMENT. IN THE SMALLER TOWNS AND VILLAGES, CASH MAY BE YOUR ONLY OPTION, SO MAKE SURE YOU TAKE SOME WITH YOU
A’arif Fort
Constructed in the 17th century, this mud and stone fortress is the oldest building in Hail. Strategically located on a hilltop, where it protected the city from enemies, the grounds of this historical landmark offer fantastic views of Hail and its surrounding mountains.
Date Market
Around the edges of a busy car park, buckets of fresh and colourful dates line the pavements of modest-looking shops. All varieties of dates can be found here at affordable prices. While premium dates are sometimes served on silver platters along with ghee and tahini, most vendors will allow you to sample the produce before you buy. Keep a lookout for those proudly displaying awards in their shop windows. Open daily from 7am–9pm.
DRIVING DIRECTION
Be sure to fuel up at the petrol station before embarking on this ultimate wadi-bashing trip. The drive through Wadi Namas can be tricky in places and you’ll need to be careful not to damage your car as you manoeuvre around the rocks.
1 Beginning on a paved road off Highway 70, follow the route into Bikers Valley, where you’ll pass numerous farms and picnic spots.
2 At the junction, take the sandy track right towards Ain Balthah, then follow the route through the wadi.
3 Turn left and continue down the wadi.
4 At the junction, cross over the main road. A paved road leads up towards a small village. Veer right to reach Wadi Namas & Oasis. Return the way you came and at the main junction, turn left. Follow the route through Wadi Jaww back to the paved road.
5 Take the off-road track on the left and follow the route though the wadis and back to the main road. Ensure to stop at Hatim al-Tai’s Palace & Tomb on the way.
6 Take the track on the left (or straight ahead if you bypassed the wadis) for camping and picnic spots or head towards the main road for the route’s finish point.
7 Turn right on the main road for Hail and its many attractions.
