Al Wa’abahCrater is a massive volcanic crater with a depth of 250 meters and 2 km width. It’s located 350 km from Jeddah, it takes about 4 hours drive.

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/vNyG2o8a3RotthER7

It is a great place for camping and hiking. The hike was not easy due to the heat from the sun right on top of your head. It’s not easy to find shade while descending to the beautiful sodium phosphate base as well as the climb up to the rim.

It would be wise to wear a hat or tie a shemagh around your head and bring at least 2 liter of water in an insulated water bottle so it will stay cold. 

It is recommended to start the hike as early as possible and climb up before the sun strikes. It is recommended to attempt the hike only in winter season from December to February. 

The time to climb down and up really depends on how much stops you make but it takes about 45 to 60 minutes each. There is a rocky trail to follow and it goes in a zigzag like pattern. The climb up definitely took much longer than going down.

What’s great is that it is very secluded in the middle of nowhere and there is only a handful of people around. There were other tents and hikers but the rim is so big that you can pitch your tent away from others.

It was just us by the edge of the crater; accompanied by millions of bright stars, full moon light and brisk winds singing to our ears.

The sunrise is something you should not miss! Climb down and enjoy the sunrise over the plateau.

If you haven’t been there, then it’s a perfect place for a weekend adventure with friends or family! 😀 Just make sure to bring extra necessities because there isn’t any shop around the area.

“You could see it as heaps of gravel,

surrounding a massive hole,

or

a magnificent corollary,

of the mighty mother nature;

breeds beauty,

from an enigmatic catastrophe”

Cover Photo Credit goes to @mr_esob