The Highest Peak in Saudi Arabia: Facts About Jabal Al-Soudah Between Reality

Jabal Al-Soudah is the highest peak in Saudi Arabia according to official classification, located within the famous mountain range of the Asir region in the southwest of the Kingdom. The mountain rises above the city of Abha and overlooks breathtaking natural scenery of dense forests and high plateaus, making it one of the most prominent eco-tourism attractions in Saudi Arabia. Its significance stems from several factors, including its strategic location within the Sarawat Mountains and its status as a key destination for nature lovers and mountain adventure enthusiasts. Al-Soudah is also part of the southern region's identity and stands as a symbol of Saudi Arabia’s green nature, contrasting with the stereotypical desert image. With growing state interest in domestic tourism development, Jabal Al-Soudah has become the focus of major development projects aimed at enhancing its role as a tourism and environmental hub while preserving its unique nature and biodiversity.

According to Saudi government sources, Jabal Al-Soudah stands at 3,015 meters above sea level, a figure officially recorded in national geography references. However, field studies conducted in 2025 indicated that the actual elevation may be only 2,999 meters, putting Al-Soudah in close competition with the neighboring Jabal Farwa, which the same studies report as 3,002 meters high. This discrepancy has sparked a scientific debate about the need to reassess Saudi mountain peaks using modern measurement techniques. Despite these minor differences, Saudi authorities continue to recognize Jabal Al-Soudah as the Kingdom’s highest point, maintaining the official figure of 3,015 meters until further notice. Importantly, these variations do not affect Al-Soudah’s status as a premier mountain tourism destination, as it remains the highest in symbolic value and tourist attraction.

Jabal Al-Soudah is part of the Sarawat mountain range in the western part of the Asir region, situated on a high plateau that stretches along the Soudah Mountains, with most peaks rising 2,000–2,500 meters above sea level. The site is close to Abha, the administrative capital of Asir, and the village of Al-Soudah on the mountain’s western slope serves as a main starting point for visitors. The area features rugged mountainous terrain with dense forests of juniper and Mediterranean cypress. These characteristics influence the local climate, resulting in mild summers and relatively cold winters, with rainfall much heavier than in other parts of the Kingdom. The natural environment of Jabal Al-Soudah supports rich biodiversity, making it a nature reserve under Saudi environmental conservation initiatives.

Jabal Farwa is a neighboring mountain peak to Jabal Al-Soudah in the western Asir mountain range. According to a recent field study, Jabal Farwa’s elevation is about 3,002 meters, making it a strong competitor to Al-Soudah in terms of peak height. This close numerical proximity has led to scientific debate over which peak truly deserves the title of Saudi Arabia’s highest, especially with findings suggesting Al-Soudah’s actual elevation may be three meters lower than the official figure. Nonetheless, authorities have not yet recognized Jabal Farwa as the highest point, and Jabal Al-Soudah retains this title in all official and tourism literature. This situation highlights the challenges faced by topographic studies in rugged mountain regions and the importance of using advanced measurement techniques for future reassessment of Saudi peaks.

The Al-Soudah peaks are characterized by a mild climate that tends toward coolness year-round, with summer temperatures significantly lower than the surrounding lowlands. In winter, temperatures sometimes drop below zero, resulting in frost or light, rare snowfall. The region is known for heavy rainfall, especially in spring and winter, which supports dense vegetation including juniper and Mediterranean cypress, as well as various mountain shrubs and plants. These conditions make Al-Soudah one of the greenest areas in Saudi Arabia, attracting nature lovers, campers, and mountain adventure seekers. Environmentally, Al-Soudah is classified as a nature reserve rich in rare mountain birds and animals and plays a vital role in feeding Asir’s valleys with groundwater.

With the advancement of Saudi Vision 2030 and the drive to diversify income sources, Jabal Al-Soudah has become a central focus in plans to develop eco and mountain tourism in the Kingdom. Al-Soudah attracts tens of thousands of visitors annually, both domestic and international, who come for hiking, camping, exploration, and outdoor activities. Recent government investments have developed advanced tourism infrastructure, including a cable car connecting the peak to the Habla area, hospitality facilities, restaurants, and panoramic viewing platforms. Seasonal events such as the 'Abha Winter Festival' have also been launched to boost tourism appeal. These developments have made Al-Soudah a model for modern mountain tourism in the Kingdom and encouraged hospitality and hotel companies to invest in the region.

In recent years, the Al-Soudah area has witnessed a boom in tourism investment projects, with the establishment of recreational facilities and integrated tourism programs as part of the 'Green Saudi' initiative and Ministry of Tourism projects. Key projects include the Jabal Al-Soudah cable car, one of the longest in the Kingdom, offering visitors a fun and quick way to travel from the base to the peak. Luxury mountain hotels and resorts have also emerged, providing high-end hospitality services, along with panoramic restaurants and cafes. Infrastructure projects have focused on improving tourist access by developing mountain roads, creating parking lots, and enhancing reception facilities. These investments aim to strengthen Al-Soudah’s role as an eco-tourism hub and stimulate the local economy by creating new jobs and increasing tourism revenues.

Although Jabal Al-Soudah is officially the highest peak in Saudi Arabia, it faces strong competition from other mountain tourism destinations within the Kingdom. Notable competitors include Jabal Al-Lawz in Taif (approximate elevation 2,555 m), known for its cool climate and vegetation, as well as other Asir parks like Al-Ruddaf National Park and Shafa Mountains. Unique natural destinations such as historic AlUla, Red Sea resorts, and the Empty Quarter desert also compete for tourists seeking environmental and recreational diversity. Regionally, Saudi Arabia aims to promote Al-Soudah as an alternative to global mountain destinations (such as the Alps and Himalayas), but the current target market remains primarily regional and domestic. The quality of tourism services, diversity of activities, and unique natural experience are the competitive advantages Al-Soudah relies on amid increasing competition.

The Saudi government is working to balance eco-tourism development at Jabal Al-Soudah with the preservation of the area’s unique ecosystem. Initiatives have been launched to plant native trees, especially juniper, and monitor pollution levels resulting from increased tourism activity. Awareness campaigns have also been announced to protect wildlife and plant life and ensure the sustainability of natural resources. As part of the 'Green Saudi' project, budgets have been allocated to enhance vegetation cover, combat desertification, and encourage the use of clean energy in mountain tourism facilities. These measures are part of a national strategy to make Jabal Al-Soudah a model for sustainable tourism, combining enjoyment of natural beauty with conservation for future generations.

Tourist activities at Jabal Al-Soudah are diverse, catering to all tastes and age groups. Highlights include mountain hiking, camping among the trees, and long-distance walking on designated trails. The area also offers opportunities for rock climbing, cable car rides, and panoramic views from observation platforms. In some seasons, sports events such as mountain biking races and outdoor activities are held. Family-friendly activities include sand skiing on the slopes and environmental workshops for children. Photography and nature enthusiasts will find Al-Soudah an ideal environment for capturing wildlife and stunning landscapes, especially with the dense vegetation and seasonal fog.

Jabal Al-Soudah is easily accessible from Abha via modern mountain roads, and a cable car connects the mountain base to the peak, making travel convenient and offering a unique tourism experience. The area offers a variety of hospitality facilities, including mountain hotels, resorts, rental chalets, and restaurants and cafes overlooking natural scenery. Some hotels provide luxury services such as heated pools, spas, and organized tours for visitors. Due to rising tourism demand, advance booking is recommended, especially during peak seasons in spring and autumn. On-site amenities include parking, rest stations, and essential services to ensure visitor comfort.

The growing number of tourists to Jabal Al-Soudah has revitalized the local economy, creating investment opportunities in hospitality, restaurants, tourism transport, and recreational equipment sales. Major projects such as 'Soudah Asir' aim to develop large resorts and entertainment facilities, creating new jobs and increasing local community income. Real estate and tourism development companies listed on the Saudi stock market (Tadawul) also benefit from these projects, with their market value rising as tourism activity expands in Asir. Although there is no specific stock for Jabal Al-Soudah, its economic impact extends to hospitality and tourism companies investing in the area or providing specialized services for visitors to the southern highlands.

In 2025, new geographical studies confirmed minor differences between the elevations of Jabal Al-Soudah and Jabal Farwa. A New York Times report titled 'Twin Peaks... Redrawing Your Country’s Map' discussed the importance of updating topographic measurements using modern techniques. The Saudi Geographical Authority also indicated that official figures may be reassessed in the future as more accurate maps become available. Meanwhile, community initiatives have been launched to protect juniper trees from tourism-related pollution, and environmental preservation campaigns have been carried out in cooperation with the Saudi Tourism Authority. All these developments highlight the growing interest in Jabal Al-Soudah as a subject of scientific research and a center for tourism and environmental development in the Kingdom.