Saudi Arabia Expands Hiking Trails and Safety Rules

Saudi Arabia is expanding and assessing its hiking trails as outdoor activities grow in popularity, with authorities surveying terrain, classifying difficulty levels, identifying risks, and improving safety while regulating hiking across the country.

For most open desert and mountain routes, there is generally no entry fee and no national hiking permit required. However, protected areas and some national parks may require digital access or camping permits through the National Center for Vegetation Cover and its Nabati platform. There is currently no confirmed nationwide hiking permit, validity period, or standardized booking process covering all trails.

Hikers should also be aware that walking in unauthorized areas of national parks carries penalties: SAR 50 for a first violation, SAR 100 for a second, and SAR 200 for any subsequent violation. Royal reserves, military zones, and restricted development areas may prohibit or limit access, so visitors must follow posted boundaries and local instructions.

Popular Trails

Jebel Fihrayn, known as the Edge of the World in the Riyadh region, has a reported entry price of SAR 0 and is generally ungated and accessible at all times, subject to site restrictions. Guided tours there commonly operate between 15:30 and 18:00. In Asir National Park and Al-Soudah, hiking access and trail controls may vary by managed site, with no confirmed universal entry fee or permit validity period available.

For safety, hikers are advised to stay on designated paths, avoid restricted zones, check weather and flash-flood conditions before setting out, and rely on qualified guides for remote canyons and wadis. The push to develop trails reflects a wider effort to make the Kingdom's natural landscapes safer and more accessible for residents and visitors alike.

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