Uphill Drive

Dear Reader,

In my ongoing attempt to bring my one reader (you) more information and pictures about the engineering marvels that are the roads of Saudi Arabia, I am going to tell you about a very popular road called Al Hada Road.

Al Hada Road links the city of Taif with Makkah via a mountain path. It is by far the best mountain road I have ever encountered. With guard rails all the way through and littered with observation points, people go there regularly just to drive and look at the sights. Although, Taif itself is a very beautiful city making the path and the destination amazing.

Although there are no speed cameras on the path, speeding here would be a fairly dumb thing to do. Stay safe, stay within the speed limits.

Pack up the wife and the kids, tell them you are going to Taif for a picnic and you can enjoy the drive and end up spending some quality time with your woman and the human offspring who ruined your sex life.

Al Hada Road, 31Km of pure exhilaration

There are a lot of observation points on the road, as I have mentioned earlier, but you have to be ready to stop, which is easier said than done because they appear suddenly and you can miss them. Just keep your eyes open for groups of people so you know where they are as they aren't marked.

Now you can enjoy some pictures.

Approaching Makkah From Al Lith Rd

Exiting Makkah via Route 15 with a view of King Abdullah College

On the Approach on Route 15

Mountains calling

 

On the base of the Al Hada hill climb 

Don't know what that is, but they built it and it's impresive

See the structure on the top... that's where we are going

It rains unexpectedly in the mountains in the middle of the desert

The sand and rain mix under tyres to make a fine soapy liquid

The observation points offer some impressive views

Monkeys will take your food, forcibly

And Show you their asses

The pictures do not do justice to the brilliance of the views

This was taken at the observation point at the to of the hill

It is steep

and flat

and very curvy

and long

and impressive

Monkeys will steal your food and moon you at every observation point 

This whole traffic jam was caused by one broken down car

 



 



I hope you enjoyed it and are planning a trip of your own. It is an awesome driving experience like none other and I highly recommend everyone to do it at least once. Drive safe and buckle up.

Cheers,

Z