TAIF – A group of adventurous young Saudi men recently organized a hiking trip to the scenic terrain of Jabal Ibrahim, which is part of the Sarawat Mountain range in the Bani Malik region, 167 km south of Taif. Ahmad Al-Maliki, an official at the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA), and guide of the team, said that the trip was aimed at exploring the habitat of the Arabian leopard following numerous sightings of the critically endangered species. Al-Maliki said team members were thrilled to be part of an adventurous hiking experience as they were exposed to a beautiful natural environment and got a rare opportunity to see endangered species of animals and plants. Jabal Ibrahim, situated 5,000 feet above sea level, abounds in beautiful picturesque scenes. It is regarded as one of the major tourist attractions and historic places of the region. The hiking team trekked along rough tracks and crossed several valleys before climbing the steep mountain. Al-Maliki said that there has been a growing interest in hiking among Saudi youth as it lets hikers enjoy nature's beauty, outdoor camping, star gazing and taking photos. He said hiking also as numerous health benefits including decreased hypertension, weight loss and improved mental health. ”Hiking requires higher skills and elaborate preparations as it involves hazards and high risks to personal safety. Hikers need equipment like hiking boots to protect feet from rough and hazardous terrain, in addition precautions are required to protect themselves from wild animals and bad weather. It is ideal to set out hiking in the early morning so as to reach the destination in the day time and return the next day morning,” he said. At the end of the trip, team members said they were happy with the trip and underlined the need for establishing a special tour company that organizes hiking trips and offers training. Team members also said they plan to explore a number of sites in neighboring GCC states, especially in Oman. The team is currently preparing to undertake a hiking trip through the terrain of Khyber, north of Madinah, which is the location of the Kingdom's largest volcanic fields. — SG
