Al-Shafa Mountain

Al-Shafa Mountain is a high range in the Sarawat chain near Taif, in western Saudi Arabia. People come for the cooler air, the mountain views and a change of pace from the city. It is open 24 hours a day, and there is no minimum age, so families can come with children of any age. The summit stands at more than 2,500 metres above sea level. Visitors drive the winding road in a four-wheel-drive car, walk the nature trails, climb the higher peaks and photograph the sun setting over the Tohama plains. On a good day, white mist drifts around the peaks and the juniper trees scent the air. In the evening, many people stay on for tea made over embers or grilled corn, and food caravans operate along the parks in the area. After rain, small waterfalls run down the slopes. By car, Al-Shafa is about 30 km from Taif, along the Okba Al-Mohammadia Road, which links Taif with Makkah. Below the peaks lie fertile valleys with pomegranate, grape and fig trees. The area also holds heritage villages and old forts, where the remains of stone doors and windows show how people built here in the past.