Wadi Al Disah, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia - A Canyon to Explore its Hidden Gem
- DON BANARIA
- Jul 10, 2021
- 6 min read
Updated: Aug 29
From the secret veranda, a panoramic view of the breathtaking Wadi Al Disah Canyon showcases rugged cliffs and lush greenery.
Wadi Al Disah Canyon - Wadi Al Disah blends geological history with the tilling of today, as the colours of the plants, the reddish canyon walls, and the golden and grey sands are all in one setting.
The site suddenly becomes a live cinema, showing landscapes reminiscent of a digital graphic movie setting. The lush green of the valley and the rock formations are the best things you could ever see in this region of Saudi Arabia, and they will make you run out of words to describe it.
You can click the camera, capture the scene, and paint the sights for others to describe.
Quick Facts
Name: Al Disah (Wadi Al Disah, Wadi Disah) Location: Tabuk Province/Region, Saudi Arabia Distance from Tabuk City: 250 km, 2½ hours drive Road Access: Excellent and concrete road
Wadi Disah is genuinely a must-visit location in the Tabuk region. This open-ended valley allows visitors to traverse from one side to the other, entering at one end and exiting at the other, provided they are in a four-wheel-drive vehicle.
It has six (6) key points that every traveller or visitor must reach and see at least most of them, if not all, to make the trip worth the time and effort. To enjoy, see, and grasp these key points, I suggest hiking in Al Disah all day.
FIRST POINT - PAGODA VALLEY
Pagoda Valley is not the official name of this Point. But no name is available for this part for reference, so I call it Pagoda Valley.
Located before the end of the road, more or less 1½ from the road end before entering the main exploring area, the towering rock formation on the right side of the wide-open camping valley looks like the pagodas in Southeast Asia (Thailand, Burma, Laos, and others); hence, I refer to the place as Pagoda Valley.
Pagoda Valley is perfect for a winter picnic. The open sunlight keeps you warm while you feast on the scenic views of the rock formations around you, and bird chirps are your music in the wilderness.
Click the arrow tab on the right side of the frame below to see more images:
The formations of rocks are the trailers that draw visitors curiosity to explore Wadi Al Disah.
Click the play tab to watch the video on YouTube
2ND POINT - WATER SPRING AND DATES PICNIC GROVE
Hikers leaving the spring side to proceed to the other points.
The blend of green grasses, trees, and date palms with the reddish rock walls in the background makes the place look like a fantasy movie set.
Entering the main exploring area, about 200 meters in, you will find the water spring below the rock wall right after the road ends. It is visible because you will notice the water flowing on the road; as you track where the water comes from, it leads you to the spring. The water is potable; you can drink from the spring using a container. I tried drinking, and it tastes as natural as the bottled water we buy.
Across the rock wall where the spring is, you will see a fully grown date palm with magnificent rock towers and walls in the background. It appears like a digital graphic image of the place in a fantasy movie. In my experience, I could not easily find a word to describe it except to say, "Wow!"
The full-grown date trees shade the picnickers from the burning summer sun. The other desert trees and lion grasses growing around them bring music to your ears as the birds fly, perch, and sing.
See More Images Of The Water Spring & Dates Picnic Grove:
This cinematic formation of rocks makes think of Jumanji.
THIRD POINT - 3000-YEAR-OLD ROCK ENGRAVED ALPHABETS & MURALS
A short distance from the water spring, you will find the rock cliff on the right side of the dry riverbed and driving trail. This cliff has an engraved alphabet and murals by the ancient people who dwelt there way back 3000 years—centuries before the Arabic alphabet was born.
As you look around, the place offers astonishing sights: a combination of rock colours and unique towering rock formations on both sides of the valley. See them as they reflect the sunlight; reaching the place is worthwhile.
The biggest and tallest stand alone rock tower. This magnificent landscape awes the hikers other than the ancient inscription on the rocks. Loose sands on the dry riverbed tells; you must drive a 4WD with high clearance.
FOURTH POINT - AL DISAH WINDOW
The Al Disah Window is a cave beside the driving trail. It is distinctive because it has a window on its cave wall, facing the driving trail and the mountain on the other side of the valley.
The cave's location makes it perfect for resting, eating, and siestaing during a picnic for the whole family. The temperature inside the cave is ideal for sleeping comfort.
The Window of Al Disah is actuall a cave with a window.
5TH POINT - HIDDEN VERANDA
Among the astonishing sights at Hidden Veranda.
Only a few Al Disah hikers and visitors can access this part, a vantage point for viewing the Al Disah Valley. The hikers need to trek to a medium height on the rock-mounted formation in the middle of the valley. It would be best to make the effort to climb the rocks; however, the exhilarating view will make the tiring climb worthwhile once you get here. Overlooking the green fields of lion grass, the date farms, and desert trees will bring you back to fantasising about an imaginary world we see in the movies.
You must have a guide who knows the way to the Hidden Veranda. Otherwise, you may not find it.
Driving a 4-wheel-drive car is already a challenge because you will find that driving on the loose sand is good enough to do beach volleyball.
Click the play tab to watch the video on YouTube.
6TH POINT - THE END OR EXIT POINT
Majestic rock wall formation at the eastern exit and entry side.
You may think that the exit point at Al Disah (eastern side exit) is just a way to leave the site; however, this is not the case. I thought that way, but you should be ready with your camera again to capture the scenic rock formations as their ridges reflect the afternoon sunlight; another “wow” will come out of your mouth.
The towering rock walls on both sides invite canyon climbers to try to reach the top. You only need to find a safe trail to reach the top; extra precautions are still necessary during the climb.
Click the play tab to watch the video on YouTube
What to Expect
A long drive of 2 ½ hours over a distance of 250 km
Scenic sights to see along the road
Driving a non-4-wheel-drive car requires walking to the deeper part of the Wadi Disah valley. You can only drive up to the end of the concrete road.
Driving a four-wheel-drive car allows you to drive from the entry point to the deeper part of the valley, exit at the other end, and return to Tabuk by running on the other road.
Chance to encounter camels and donkeys along the way.
Car Requirement
Four-wheel-drive – if you want to go to the inner part of the valley, a non-4-wheel-drive car will do, and take an exercise to go walking.
High clearance
New tyres are a great advantage.
Terrain Condition to Drive
Click the arrow tab at the centre right side of the frame below to see other images.
Sometimes animals are crossing the road; need to be watchful while driving.
The route from Tabuk City Centre to Wadi Al Disah via Jeddah Road is excellent.
Things to See
Magnificent canyon and majestic rock formations.
Al Disah Cave
Rock towers
Wildflowers
Vigour lion grasses
Desert trees
Water spring
Wild birds
Dates Farm
Orchards
Things to Do
Trekking
Sightseeing
Off-road driving
Picnic
Overnight camping
What to Bring
Snacks and water to quench your thirst and light hunger while exploring.
Sunglasses protect your eyes from the blinding light of the open desert.
A sombrero to shade your face without sunglasses, especially when shooting with your camera.
Sunblock to keep your skin from burning, especially during summer.
Of course, if you visit during the winter season, you should wear warm clothes to stay warm and avoid freezing.
Lighting gadgets for overnight camping.
How to Get Here:
Those outside Saudi Arabia may book a direct or connecting flight to Tabuk Airport. Tabuk Airport is one of Saudi Arabia's international airports; however, its flight frequency is lower than that of Jeddah Airport and Riyadh Airport.
If your Holiday trip involves exploring Saudi Arabia, I suggest booking your flights via Jeddah or Riyadh, then taking another domestic flight to Tabuk.
Tabuk City should be your takeoff point for Wadi Al Disah.
It is better to hire a local guide to help you get there and take you to the deeper, more hidden parts of the valley.
Drive your car via the Tabuk-Yanbu-Jeddah road.
Guide: Mr. Ahmed Al Atawi
Mobile: +966 50 417 7818
For more videos about underrated places for adventure, please check my YouTube Channel:
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