Al-Waba Crater - A gigantic volcanic eye

Also known as Maqla Tamiyyah, Al-Waba (Al-Wahbah) stands out as a uniquely stunning sight. It’s a volcanic crater below ground level with a circular pattern of a sodium phosphate deposits at its bottom. It is usually dry, but the bottom fills up with water after it rains, forming a small shallow lake. The crater with the saline “iris” in the middle looks like a gigantic eye in the vast volcanic plain.

As of recently, descending into the crater is prohibited by the authorities. According to the guard who ensures people adhere to this rule, a few years ago three Saudi nationals died after walking down to the bottom, as certain gases accumulated in the bowl. The only hike you can do is walking around the crater rim (about three hours), or at least walking a part of it. You get better views from the rim south of the parking lot. Camping is allowed.

On the way to Al-Waba, you pass a salt field, then a relatively green plain with many volcanic hills. The site is quite far from Taif, about 250 kilometres.

The hike in Google Maps

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