RIYADH — The northern Saudi mountain range in the Hail region is unique with its strange rocky topography and the multiplicity of inscriptions from different historical periods. It surrounds the city of Hail from the western side at a distance of 180 kilometers. Al-Musamma Mountains range extends from Jabal Al-Arqoub in the south to Al-Nafud Al-Kabir in the north and is surrounded by several mountains, including Ghadab, Sahya, Al-Mudhaibeh, Al-Sataiha, Al-Auja, and Jabal Makhruqa. This mountain range was known in the past as the Mahjar Mountains that denote mountains surrounded by sand, inscriptions, and historical landmarks. According to a report carried by the Saudi Press Agency, this place is known as the best site for observing stars and galaxies. Therefore, it is a favorite destination for photography enthusiasts and professionals from different regions of the Kingdom, as well as from other Gulf countries and many parts of the world. The beautiful location of the Al-Musamma Mountains and the shapes of the rock masses caught the attention of several Western travelers during their visit to the region. These travelers included German Louis Uting, French Charles Huber in 1884, British Gertro Debel, and Charles Doughty in 1845, the Czechoslovakian Louis Mussel as well as the Italian traveler Carlo Guarmani in 1860. The journey of the German Uting and the French Huber more than 135 years ago documented a group of Arabic and Nabataean inscriptions, as well as primitive drawings of some animals. The environmental components of these mountains also contribute to making them a natural park and a site for hiking and other activities.
