Al Hada road viewpoints
Along the escarpment
Lookouts over the hairpin bends and the plains towards Makkah, beautiful at sunset.
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Taif, Saudi Arabia
Al Hada Mountain
The mountain on the Makkah side of Taif, reached by one of Saudi Arabia's most famous roads — a chain of hairpin bends climbing the escarpment, with viewpoints, cool air and baboons.
Favourite places
Al Hada cable car
Top of Al Hada
Cable car down to Al Kar village — see its own page; operation varies.
Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)Mountain parks
Al Hada
Green parks and picnic areas used by families in the summer.
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Local food
Taif pomegranates
Taif, Saudi Arabia
Taif is known across Saudi Arabia for its fruit grown in the mountain farms — pomegranates above all, plus grapes, figs and prickly pears in season. Roadside stalls sell them fresh and as juice.
Mountain honey
Taif, Saudi Arabia
Honey from the Sarawat mountains around Taif, including the dark sidr honey, sold in the souq and at mountain stalls.
Mutabbaq
Taif, Saudi Arabia
A thin, crisp folded pastry stuffed with minced meat, egg and leek (or sweet banana and cheese), cooked on a hot griddle. A favourite street snack in the Hejaz, especially in the evenings.
Where to eat
Viewpoint stalls
Al Hada road
Tea, corn, fruit and snacks sold by the roadside.
Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)Resort restaurants
Al Hada
Restaurants in the mountain resorts and hotels.
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Where to stay
Al Hada
Taif, Saudi Arabia
Resorts and chalets on the mountain on the Makkah side of Taif — cooler air and views, close to the cable car and viewpoints.
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Taif, Saudi Arabia
Hotels and apartments near the old souq and the main roads, practical for the museums and markets and for the drive to Al Hada and Al Shafa.
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Culture
A family day-out place: picnics, tea and grilled corn at the viewpoints. Respect family areas and dress modestly.
History
Al Hada sits on the edge of the Sarawat escarpment, about 2,000 metres above sea level. For centuries travellers climbed between Makkah and Taif on foot and by camel; the modern Al Hada road, opened in the 1960s, cut a winding route of hairpin bends and tunnels down the cliff face and became a landmark in itself.
The mountain has long been a summer escape for families from Makkah and Jeddah, with parks, resorts and fruit stalls along the top.
Tour plans
Al Hada afternoon
Half dayStep 1: Drive the mountain road
Climb or descend the hairpin bends (with care).
Step 2: Viewpoints
Stop for photos and tea at the lookouts.
Step 3: Cable car
Ride down to Al Kar if it is running.
Step 4: Sunset
Stay for sunset over the escarpment.
Map
Travel information
Best time to visit
Summer evenings for cool air; spring and autumn for clear views. Weekends are busy.
How to get there
Al Hada is about 20–25 km west of central Taif on the road to Makkah. Drive or take a ride-hailing car. From Makkah, the climb up the Al Hada road takes around an hour.
Getting around
By car between viewpoints and parks; short walks at each stop.
Travel tips
- The descent towards Makkah is steep: use a low gear and keep your distance.
- Non-Muslims should not continue down the Al Hada road towards Makkah — the road leads to the sacred area.
- Do not feed the baboons at the roadside; they can grab bags and food.
- Shops, cafés and many services close briefly for each of the five daily prayers — usually for 20–30 minutes. Plan errands around them, and check the day's prayer times on a phone app.
