The Kingdom’s capital is buzzing with new restaurant openings, huge events and a packed social calendar. But sometimes you need to escape the urban energy for something a little calmer and closer to nature. Luckily, Riyadh’s central position in Saudi Arabia makes it an unparalleled base for hikes into the interior.
In spring, autumn and winter, do as the Riyadhis do – jump in a 4x4 with lots of water, food and a tent, if you’re planning on camping, and go explore. For those without their own wheels, myriad tour companies organise hiking trips to some of the routes below, and a couple are even accessible via public transport. These are some of the best hikes in and around Riyadh.
1. Heet Cave Trail
60km round trip; 2 hours; moderate
Near Al Kharj, 30km south of Riyadh, Ein Heet Cave boasts picturesque limestone rock formations and a sprawling underground lake. From the car park, hikers head towards the entrance, which is just 20m wide and resembles the shape of a human eye. Inside, the path descends quickly and you’ll need a torch to find your way in the darkness. The lake itself is in the cave’s central chamber.
2. Edge of the World Trail
6km round trip; 2 hours; moderate
Probably Riyadh’s best-known hiking route, the Edge of the World is a much-photographed and Insta-worthy line of mountains that plunges into the desert. It’s home to enormous pillars of rock that are visible from very close to the car park, but hiking routes proliferate here, including to the bottom of the canyon.
There are also camping spots nearby should you fancy falling asleep under the stars. There are two routes to the site – via the Sadus Dam or the Acacia Valley, the latter a popular camping destination in itself.
3. Wadi Hanifah
8km round trip; 2.5 hours; easy
Not so long ago the stretch of Wadi Hanifah that passed through Riyadh was a neglected area ignored by most. Now it is one of the city’s primary attractions, popular with walkers and families looking for somewhere to hang out and barbecue on the weekends. This hike is 8km of the 120km valley that passes through the capital as well as Al Uyaynah, Irqah and Diriyah, and has provided fresh water to people in this part of Saudi Arabia since humans first began settling here.
The path runs south to north and includes a “lollipop” loop that takes hikers out into the desert. It is extremely popular on weekends and features many spots for barbecuing and picnicking. Like most wadis, the water at Wadi Hanifah is seasonal and it is dry for most of the year. That said, even when dry it is a relatively lush and green place to wander away from the bustle of the city.
4. Red Sands Hike
Up to 7hrs; variable routes; easy
Unless you are a local with a 4x4 and the confidence to go solo, the desert dunes northeast of Riyadh are best visited on an organised tour, with a plethora of companies offering full and half-day trips. As well as walking on the Wilfred Thesiger-esque desert landscape, most include activities like dune-bashing (driving at high speed up and down the dunes), sand-board riding, as well as food and drink surrounded by incredible views. An excellent and family-friendly day out.
5. Musayqirah Trail
10hrs; moderate to hard
This trail just an hour from Riyadh centres around the so-called “Graffiti Rock”, a sandstone rock that features carvings that are thought to date back to the Neolithic Era. These include carvings of water buffalos, suggesting that they date from a time when this part of Saudi Arabia was more humid than it is today – as much as 6,000 years ago.
On the western side of the rock, drawings of ostriches, ibexes, dogs and hunters cover the surface. The only way to reach the site – labelled “Rock Art” in Google Maps – is by driving a 4x4 along Route 80 towards Makkah (Mecca).
