15
Mawan & Wadi Wuthayalan
190km
59km
Driving MIXED ABILITY, MODERATE WADI DRIVING
Best for PEACE AND QUIET
Recommended for SELFIES AND SUNSET VIEWS
Escape the crowds on this picturesque route, which winds through two fertile, natural valleys and makes for a stimulating whole day or weekend trip. With roaming camels and donkeys, picnic spots aplenty, camping options and hidden gorges, there’s loads to see and do while also gaining a glimpse into rural village life.
Mawan Canyon
Mawan Canyon (also known as ‘Hidden Canyon’) is a 800m-long, narrow chasm located just after the turn-off from Al Ha’ir-Hawtat Bani Thamim Road (509) and lives up to its name, as it’s only visible up close. The canyon fills with water after periods of heavy rain, but in the dry season it’s easy to descend to the base to look around.
Mawan Village
Mawan village is home to a small mosque, a grocery store and a tiny petrol station. Just beyond the centre of town, the quiet Wadi Wuthaylan slices through the Najd oasis region. The route is easy enough for beginners to navigate, with expansive, well-graded gravel tracks used by locals.
It meanders past small private farms growing leafy green vegetables and plentiful trees, mostly clusters of wild twisted acacia, known locally as samur, growing in picnic-friendly clusters. As you drive deeper into the valley, the terrain narrows and the track becomes less visible or disappears altogether, marked only by a faint camel trail established by the area’s farmers.
SPECIAL HIDEOUTS AND REGIONAL HISTORY
About 50km west of this route, in the Aliyah mountains, is a cave that Imam Turki bin Abdullah, founder of the Second Saudi State, used as a hideout and security operations room against invaders in the early 19th century. You can also visit Imam Turki bin Abdullah’s Palace, located about 50km south of the route at the centre of the town of Al Hilweh. Reportedly built around 1821 CE, Imam Turki bin Abdullah took refuge here after the fall of Ad Diriyah. It covers an area of about 17,500m2 and consists of two guard towers, a cabin, two wells and palm groves.
Wuthaylan Dune
One of the wadi’s unexpected sights is a solitary dune: an impressive 10m of sand that banks up against the rock and sports a rippled crest. It makes an ideal place to stop for a photo break, admire the landscape or, if you’re sure-footed, scramble between the surrounding limestone boulders.
Wuthaylan National Park
With ample area to barbecue and picnic, Wuthaylan National Park is an excellent place to relax during your off-road adventure. Seasonal pools and interesting rock formations also make it a great spot for hiking.
DRIVING DIRECTION
Easily accessible from the main highway, this route takes you across a mix of paved and gravel tracks through the wadi.
1 After exiting the highway, turn left and continue 1.8km towards Mawan Canyon, which is located just 1km from the main road. Look out for the small toilet block built nearby.
2 Drive either through Wadi Mawan or along the paved road to reach Mawan Village.
3 Stop at Mawan Village, which has a small grocery store and a petrol pump. The paved road ends just after the village.
4 Continue exploring the wadis. When you’ve finished, return back the way you came to the main road to continue on to Wadi Wuthaylan (see the next page for further directions).
