01
Jubbah
621km
25km
Driving DUNES AND DESERT TRACKS – 4WD REQUIRED
Best for ROCK ART AND ANCIENT PETROGLYPHS
Recommended for HISTORIANS AND CULTURE-SEEKERS
This route takes you into the rolling red dunes of the Nufud Desert and around Jabal Umm Sinman, where ancient petroglyphs adorn sandstone outcrops. Based within the green metropolis of Jubbah, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is brimming with culture and the local museums offer a fascinating insight into the region’s history and traditions.
As you pull off the highway into Jubbah, you’ll be instantly taken aback by how green the area is. Sitting on a former lake, this attractive city draws much of its water from underground and is still rich in flora and fauna.
The route continues to the Jubbah Antiquities Office, where you’ll need to register your details to gain access to the UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s worth noting that while you can drive around Jabal Umm Sinman, the historical rock art is protected by fencing and can only be viewed on foot. Once you have absorbed enough culture, follow the desert track behind the archaeological area for some exhilarating dune bashing.
The UNESCO World Heritage Site has specific opening hours depending on what day you visit. It’s worth calling or emailing the tourist office in advance so that you can plan your trip accordingly.
Al Naif Palace Archaeological Museum
Set within lush and tranquil grounds, the ‘Palace of Naif’ showcases a wealth of historical and regional artefacts including stone tools believed to date back to 5,000–7,000 BCE. While there isn’t much information on Jubbah’s ancient petroglyphs, the museum displays interesting press cuttings about the historians and explorers who visited the area. Outside the palace, a watchtower houses an extensive rifle collection and a traditional Arabic tent is the perfect setting to enjoy a cup of gahwa and take in your surroundings. The entrance fee is SAR 20 per person.
RALLY JAMEEL
In March 2022, Saudi Arabia held its first all-women car rally. The 900km route started in Hail and crossed the Great Nufud Desert to Jabal Umm Sinman in Jubbah before moving on to Al Mithnab and Riyadh. The event saw 34 two-women teams from all over the world travel to the Kingdom to take part. Restricted to a 70kmph speed limit, drivers had to manoeuvre their 4WDs over terrain such as soft sand, highways and gravel tracks.
Alayda Heritage Farm and Palace
This remarkable museum gives visitors a glimpse into Jubbah’s cultural past. Beautifully restored, the 150-year-old palace is made up of a majlis, bedroom, kitchen and playroom, with traditional items on display such as handmade textiles and traditional kitchen utensils. Outside, two camels can be seen pulling water from an ancient well demonstrating the crucial role these remarkable animals have always played in desert life. The owner of this heritage site will go out of his way to show you around and don’t be surprised if he invites you to join him for some gahwa and dates. If you’re a fan of this nutritious fruit, the adjacent date farm and market is definitely worth a visit.
Jabal Umm Sinman
This historical mountain was once a strategic location on an ancient caravan route, providing water and shelter for those travelling between Najd and the Red Sea. While the lake has long since disappeared, the markings left by the people who visited centuries ago are still visible in the sandstone rock that stretches around the mountain. A literal open-air museum, the site contains 14 clusters of petroglyphs dating back to the Stone Age and the 5th millennium BCE. The Neolithic rock art and Thamudic inscriptions provide valuable insights into early Arab civilisation and include depictions of human figures carrying weapons and animals such as camels, goats and the ibex.
Due to years of weathering, some of the rocks have become displaced and metal staircases lead up to engravings at higher levels. The area is vast, and offers little shade, so it’s worth asking someone from the Antiquities Office to point you in the direction of the more prominent panels. If you prefer to drive over to the archaeological areas on the other side of the mountain, you will need to request someone to unlock the gate in advance as there isn’t a tourist office located that side.
ECO TOURISM
The Rakyab Jubbah adventure trip organised in this area is an example of the continuing boom in eco tourism that’s taking place in Saudi Arabia. Visitors were treated to experiences including a six-hour camel trek simulating the caravans that would have passed through the area hundreds of years ago.
Great Nufud Desert
Spanning over 65,000km2, this desert is known as the Great Nufud Desert and is Saudi Arabia’s second-largest sandy expanse. Its distinct red colour is indicative of the presence of iron oxide and the result of years of weathering of sandstone outcrops. The desert is known for its strong winds and prevailing crescent dunes, some of which reach up to 200m. The area around Jubbah is an excellent place to try out some dune driving and it’s also a popular camping spot.
DRIVING DIRECTION
From Hail, follow signs towards Jubbah and then Jabal Umm Sinman. Continue straight over the ‘coffee pot’ roundabout to reach the route’s start point. Beginning on tarmac road, this route also offers the opportunity to venture into the Great Nufud Desert for some dune bashing.
1 Continue straight for approximately 1.5km and then turn right for the Al Naif Palace Archaeological Museum.
2 Follow the road past the museum and then take the turning right by the mosque. At the roundabout, take the third turning left..
3 At the roundabout, turn left for Jabal Umm Sinman. Park outside the Visitor Centre and register inside to access the petroglyphs. Note: while it is possible to drive around the perimeter of Jabal Umm Sinman, no vehicles are allowed within the protected area. For the dunes and to explore the rest of the site, return to the roundabout and take the turning left. Follow the sand track past Jabal ash Shuwayhit.
4 Continue straight into the desert for some dune bashing.
5 Veer left across the dunes, towards the main road and the route’s finish point.
6 Turn left at the finish point to visit some of Jubbah’s heritage museums and to join Highway 70 for Hail.
