The Devil Road is a beautiful winding road meandering from the foot to the top of Jabal Al Soudah that connects the famous and historical village of Rejal Almaa to the city of Abha and other neighboring towns atop the Jabal Al Soudah.
The name draws the curiosity of tourists coming to the Aseer Province to explore the thrilling places in this region. The name, however, is the complete opposite of what the road displays and a description one could make once he gets to the place.
If only I had relied on the information my ears heard by mouth, I could have quickly concluded that the road was indeed scary and a route to avoid driving; however, the more they said about it, the more intrigued I was to find out what the road looked like, so I requested my guide to take me to any village afoot the Jabal Soudah for as long as it passed through the devil road.
When we got there, however, I was amazed by the scenic landscape of the mountain and the live visual attraction that my eyes could see as we drove the road down to Rejal Almaá.
There are steep portions and sharp curves to deal with, and the road requires defensive and precise skill in mountain driving, but all in all, the road is one of the greatest in Saudi Arabia.
To not discount the road safety concerns and feel the excitement of driving on this road, these are the most important things that drivers and car owners should take into consideration before moving:
Make sure that the car engine is in excellent running condition.
Brakes are thoroughly checked to avoid trouble.
Drivers should have excellent mountain driving skills.
If driving there on rainy days is unnecessary, do not drive on that road.
If you doubt your driving skills, get somebody to drive for you, a driver who is particular about road safety and not speed-hungry.
Run the car at a speed appropriate to a zig-zag and mountain road terrain.
Maintain adequate distance from the car ahead of you to keep the space you need, especially when approaching the steep climb and sharp curves on your way up.
The road is not easy to drive, but Devil Road is never a devil to a driver with adequate knowledge and driving discipline. Remember that no road is safer for a reckless driver, and no range is hazardous to a defensive driver. Road safety depends on every driver’s discipline and proper handling of the road courtesy and safety.
Quick Facts:
Road Location: Jabal Soudah, connecting to Rejal Almaa
Aseer Province, Saudi Arbia
Total length – Approx 30 Km
Descend Take Off Point from Abha City – 30 Km
Road Condition: Zig-zag with steep and sharp curve portions.
Driving requirement: Full attention with extra precautions.