Quick Facts:
Name: JABAL AL BAYDAH
Location: Shafa Mountain Range, Ash Shafa, Makkah Province, Saudi Arabia
Distance from: Taif City, 35 Minute Drive
Ash Shafa Center, 20-minute drive
Altitude: 2300 - 2400 meters above sea level
Attractions:
1. Old Stone House
2. Mountaintop Viewing area
3. Jabal Al Baydah Stone Cave
4. Orchard and Rose Farm
Rock Boulder Cave is one of the attractions in which a cave is formed by the pile of giant boulders.
Looking at the mountain ridges, you know that you are above them all. First picnic and camping area where you find the old stone house (below)
Far shot of the highland livestock farm where you can see the sheep grazing under the spikes of cactuses and under the trees.
Camping and picnic beside the ravine and old stone house. Campers and picnickers can relieve themselves with the breath of fresh mountain air and the vibes of the sights overlooking mountains all around the area.
The old stone house where the farm owner and his family lived before moving to the city. Nestled at 2300 meters above sea level makes your usual picnic and camping extraordinary.
The main door of the old stone house.
Just like any other mountain in the southern regions of Saudi Arabia Jabal Al Baydah is a mixed place of hiking, unwinding, and learning. Here you will have the chance to look back and realize how the early residents lived with old houses relic and the ways of highland farming and livestock herding which until now still practiced by the farmers despite integrating to modern ways and technology.
Overnight camping and a whole day picnic on top of the 2,300-meter mountain height is inexplicably spellbinding. Feeling the cool breeze of the ridges, touching the fogs during winter times, the soothing ear sound of the wild birds, and panoramic sights is a kind of experience that rarely happens unless you are into an intense trekking habit.
The main entrance of the rock boulders cave.
Southeast entrance of the cave
The mountain guide leading the guest inside the cave (above and below)
The rooftop window of the cave feeding lights inside.
Windowslide the supply lights inside the cave.
At Mount Al Baydah, you can have those experiences; you don’t need to experience sliding in a steep, horrified by a rolling stone while climbing and other nerve rocking and risky engagement because the place is accessible by any car.
If you recall the magnificent sights seen when I presented Jabal Daka, Mount Al Baydah is one of the opposite mountains surrounding Jabal Daka.
Jabal Al Baydah is a combination of farming, trekking, and tourism spot. Wanting to commune with nature, immersion to a farming community way of life, spelunking, and simply sunrise and sunset watching, you can have them all here.
The guide and host preparing breakfast in the sky beside the rose plantations for the guests.
The author and the guide, Mr. Ahmed al Humailan share light moments after breakfast.
Field of roses at Mazarath al Baydah (Al Baydah Farm)
Valley and mountains of farms around the Al Baydah Farm (Above and below). This area is perfect for sunset watching.
Activities:
Mountain driving
Picnic
Overnight camping
Sightseeing
Mountain trekking
Farm visits and tour
Types of Farm to visit
Orchards
Rose and Flower farms and orchards
Livestock Farm
Accessibility
Transportation – Accessible to any car
Telecommunication – STC has a 3G signal while other networks do not have or poor signal.