02
Jabal al Lawz
1,109km
100km
Driving EASY TRACKS
Best for HISTORY AND OUTDOOR ADVENTURE
Recommended for MULTIPLE DAYS OF CAMPING
Journeying towards the highest peak in the area, this route is an easy drive that unveils majestic mountain views. Packed with historical sites and beautiful rock formations, Jabal al Lawz, located at NEOM in Madyan, offers lots of variety. If you visit in the winter, you might even find yourself driving through snow.
NEOM Guidelines
The publication of these potential routes DOES NOT imply access is allowed to the indicated areas. NEOM includes fragile cultural heritage sites and sensitive species and habitats.
Off-road driving, camping and independent exploration will be subject to the zoning and management plans of NEOM’s Nature Conservation Department.
All visitors to NEOM must uphold the highest standards of conduct, including adopting global best practice for 'leave no trace' camping and driving.
NO dune bashing or driving on vegetated areas- vehicles should NOT be driven off established tracks.
Visitors are responsible for checking the latest rules and regulations applying to off-road driving and access to NEOM, and for complying with all interim and final regulations and guidelines.
Visitors are responsible for confirming the current situation regarding accessibility to NEOM and for complying with NEOM permit requirements.
Jabal Maqlah
Located near Saudi Arabia’s border with Jordan, Jabal Maqlah is locally known as the ‘Blackened Peak Mountain’, thanks to its unique colouring. While there aren’t any official hiking tracks, the terrain is quite easy to navigate so be sure to pull off and do some exploring on foot. Ancient petroglyphs depicting bulls on a rock formation that may once have been an altar were discovered here. These historical areas are not accessible as they are protected archaeological sites.
WADI ROADS AND VIEWS
For a different view from the mountainous terrain of Jabal al Lawz, Wadi Um Surah offers a peaceful atmosphere for hiking and camping. Pull over and head off on foot, following a well-defined trail near the stream, which is said to flow all year round.
Jabal al Lawz
Jabal al Lawz, which translates as ‘Mountain of Almonds’, is 2,600m above sea level, making them the highest mountains in the area. The track up to the peak is paved. However, the route is eventually blocked by a restricted military area. Before you make the drive back down, ensure you capture some stunning panoramic images of the surrounding landscape. Due to the mountain being one of the few places in Saudi Arabia that receives snowfall each year, it’s quite common for adventurers to set up camp in the winter to enjoy the snow and cold weather.
CAPABLE OF ERODING STONE, FLOWING WATER CAN DISSOLVE ROCK MINERALS SLOWLY OVER TIME. YOU’LL SEE PLENTY OF EVIDENCE OF THIS NATURAL PHENOMENON IN THE NORTH-WESTERN MOUNTAINS AND WADIS.
Split Rock
Not far from Jabal al Lawz, this route will take you to a rocky unpaved track where you will continue on foot to reach the Split Rock The huge rock is a sight to behold, jutting up from the lower-lying area surrounding it.
While not located along the route, there are a few other interesting sites in the area worth visiting:
Ayn Moosa
The valley of Maqna is well known for its dense palm trees and numerous small springs. One of these springs is Ayn Moosa, also known as the 12 Springs of Moses, where clear, bubbling water appears to flow – defying gravity.
Bir Moosa
Near the town of Magna you’ll find dense palm trees and numerous small springs. One such spring, Bir Moosa (Well of Moses), is also known as Bir Sa’idani. It is the place where the prophet met his wife. If the gate is open, explore the archaeological site on foot.
Mugha’ir Shu’ayb
Situated close to the Jordanian border and the Red Sea, Mugha’ir Shu’ayb is a Nabataean city carved directly into the sandstone, similar to Hegra at AlUla and Petra in Jordan. Dating back to the second millennium BCE, the city is where prophet Moses lived for 10 years after fleeing Egypt. Some of the areas are accessible to tourists and can be explored during opening hours. However, some may be closed except for official research and visits.
DRIVING DIRECTION
This route follows paved roads and established tracks and takes you via some amazing historical sites.
1 Drive past (after you’ve stopped to visit) Jabal Assafina, famous for Islamic inscriptions engraved on the rocks, and take a left turn. Drive along this paved track towards As Siru (28km).
2 Drive for 24km until you reach the archaeological areas. From As Siru, the paved road gives way to a rocky track.
3 Explore historical Jabal Maqlah. A right turn here will take you towards the peaceful Wadi Um Surah, which has water flowing through it year-round. Return to the main route.
4 Continue until you reach Shi’ib al Umayyid.
5 Take a left turn on to the asphalt road which will lead you to the peak of Jabal al Lawz. After the drive down from the mountain, head straight towards Wadi ar Rass. Take a left and drive for 15km until you reach the main road.
