FORESTS


There are around 50 forest enclaves in Saudi Arabia. Two prime examples are Raghdan Forest and Shahba Forest, both of which are situated five kilometres north of Al-Baha city. Raghdan Forest overlooks a valley and cov- ers 2.5 square kilometres, whereas Shahba Forest is made up of pine trees and juniper bushes. On the peak of Shahba Forest stands Al-Baha Science University.


SAND DUNES


There are five main categories of sand dunes Ð crescentic, linear, star, dome and parabolic. Crescent-shaped dunes look like rolling waves of sand and they are the ones most associated with desert landscapes. They are also the ones best suited to sand boarding and dune bashing.


Linear dunes are typically much longer and thinner, relatively speaking and, at their most extreme, can be more than 100 kilometres long. Star dunes look like a pyramid from the ground and a starfish from above and are quite rare. They tend to form in areas where the wind blows from different sides. Dome dunes are oval or circular mounds that generally lack a 'slip face'. Parabolic dunes are sometimes called U-shaped, blowout, or hairpin dunes and are well known in coastal areas and on beaches. The protected area of Nafud al Urayq in the south west of the province and the Alsa'afeeq Al Ghada Nature Park south of Unayzah are popular dune spots for camp- ing, riding, hiking and picnics.


The windswept sand dunes of Nafud al Kabir, in the eastern part of the province and western Al Asyah, located North West of Buraydah, offer an iconic experience of Saudi Arabia. There are also camping, hiking and picnic areas to be found in Qatan in the western part of the province, although without service amenities.


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ASIRNATIONAL PARK The Asir National Park, which opened in 1981, was the first of its kind in the King- dom. It covers an extensive tract of land from west of Abha in the mountains, through the Tihamah Plain and ends at the Red Sea Coast. It is of great ecological importance and archaeological interest. The park incorporates six recreational areas totalling 2,000 hectares. The main access points are at Al Hadba, Al Qara, and Al Sudah, Dalgan, The National Park Visitor Centre, Abha, Prince Sultan Park and Toor Al-Masquareah Park. The park also includes Jebel Sawdah, which, at 2,910 metres, is the highest point in Saudi Arabia. On the edge of the escarpment there is a museum and exhibition centre. From the centre, visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of the surrounding peaks, Wadi Dila, some 3,000 feet below and, on a clear day, the sparkling waters of the Red Sea.


Crescent-shaped dunes look like rolling waves of sand and they are the ones most associated with desert landscapes. They are also the ones best suited to sand boarding and dune bashing


Al-Geme Forest is a wild park overgrown with olive, acacia and juniper trees. The forest is serviced by a cable car for excellent views. Other amenities are available in Beljerchi, which is 20 kilometres away.


There is also Nawan al-Ala, a six-kilometre valley lying between two mountains near Asham village and Al-Shaira Recreational Park and Wadi Melil, a valley that is located at the foot of Shada Al-Ala.


MOUNTAIN RANGE The Asir Mountains are part of the same geological fault as the Great Rift Valley in Africa. This mountain range offers many sporting activities, including professionally supervised para-gliding, hang-gliding, rock climbing, moun- taineering, hiking and mountain-bike riding. Packages can be tailored to visitors' interests and expertise and tours cover activities in the Asir landscapes of the coast, the mountains and the desert.


CAVING


The Jebel Garah Mountain, 13 kilometres east of Al-Hofuf, hides a series of large, high caves which, despite the external climate, maintain a constant temperature. These above-ground limestone cave systems rise above the date- palm orchards.


One series of caves, named Ghar Al Hashshab, or 'cave of the arrow maker', is particularly impressive with towering canyons and labyrinthine interiors.


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