03
Al Misma
639km
75km
Driving DESERT DRIVING AND DUNES – 4WD REQUIRED
Best for A REMARKABLE ROCK ARCH
Recommended for PICNICS AND CAMPING
Retracing the steps of famous explorers, this route through the majestic landscape of Al Misma is an exhilarating off-road drive. The low-lying sandstone mountains hide fascinating features including a huge rock arch and a hidden cave. Make a day of it and enjoy an alfresco lunch or dinner against the dramatic backdrop of some incredible rock formations.
Traversing across loose sand and some larger dunes, you’ll need to reduce tyre pressure for this interesting drive – just watch out for the sharp rocks that surround the sandstone outcrops. Popular with picnicking locals, the soft terrain is also ideal for camping and with plenty of trees to provide shade, you won’t struggle to find a decent spot. It’s a perfect route for springtime or after rains, when seasonal waterfalls flow down the weathered embankments and the desert sand transforms into meadows of grass and wild flowers.
Ghar al Misma Cave
Hidden from view beneath a small embankment, this intriguing cavern has formed under a perfectly round arch. The result of years of erosion, the shallow cave is big enough sit in. An ideal shelter from the midday sun, it also makes a great vantage point to take some photos of the surrounding landscape.
ANCIENT EXPLORERS
Charles Montagu Doughty (1843–1926) was a British explorer and poet, best known for his book, Travels in Arabia Deserta. He travelled to Damascus in 1876, there joined a caravan route and then spent two years crossing the Arabian Peninsula with Bedouin tribes. Recording everything in his notebook, he developed a fascination with the desert landscape and much of his work references the searing and unrelenting heat he experienced. The book is renowned for its literary prose as well as Doughty’s meticulous drawings, including a map of north-western Arabia and the Najd.
Al Ghadab Arch
Probably the most photographed spot in Al Misma, the Al Ghadab rock arch is a remarkable example of natural architecture. The sandstone outcrop has been slowly eaten away leaving behind a jagged bridge large enough to drive under. The slabs of rock underneath are smooth, but the façade is rugged and resembles an elephant reaching out with its trunk.
Jibal al Misma
Previously known as the Majar Mountains, which translates to ‘mountains surrounded by sand’, Jibal al Misma is considered an area of outstanding natural beauty. For over a century, foreign explorers such as Charles Doughty have been captivated by the unusual rock formations including towering boulders and ‘keyhole’ split rocks.
Radmat al Bahim Gorge
This deep, narrow valley is enclosed on either side by steep, imposing cliffs. Just wide enough to fit a vehicle through, you can drive to the end where water has eroded the rock to a smooth, slanting wall. Seasonal pools can form in this gorge during wetter months and a visit in spring will see some rich greenery.
DRIVING DIRECTION
This adventurous route involves driving over soft sand and is only suitable for 4WDs.
1 Approximately 200km from Hail, turn left off the main road onto the desert sand track.
2 Follow the route for approximately 5km towards a fantastic viewpoint of the valley.
3 Turn left and then follow the perimeter of the rocky outcrop on the right to discover Ghar al Misma Cave.
4 Continue across the sand until you see Al Ghadab Arch. The road then weaves between the rocky outcrops with the option to visit seasonal waterfalls and pools nestled in the sandy valleys.
5 If you’re looking to set up camp, head straight towards the valley ahead, otherwise veer left around the edge of the rocks.
6 Turn left to skirt the edge of Jabal al Kiyud.
7 Stop for a photo of the ‘Keyhole Rock' before turning right to Radmat al Bahim Gorge. When you’ve finished exploring, head back out of the valley and turn right for more interesting rock formations and the route’s finish point.
8 Rejoin the paved road and turn left for Ash Shamli or right for Routes 4, 5 and 6.
