When you picture Saudi Arabia, you probably imagine endless, golden deserts. But tucked away in the southwestern highlands, the Al Baha region offers a stunning surprise. This is a land of mist, cool air, and dense, ancient forests. Once a well-kept secret for Saudis, this unique ecosystem is now being deliberately transformed into a national treasure. Thanks to the ambitious “Quality of Life Programme” under the “Vision 2030” diversification agenda, Al Baha’s green parks are becoming a must-see destination for eco-tourism and heritage lovers.
Take the new Jadar Park, for instance. Built in the Bani Hassan governorate, it’s a beautiful example of how modern design can embrace nature. Spanning 30,000 square metres, with more than half of that space left purely green, Jadar was constructed to feel like a natural extension of the landscape. You can stroll for 2,000 metres along its pedestrian paths and water channels, enjoying a milder prelude to the rugged wildness of the nearby Khairah Forest Park and its famous waterfall.
The mountains around Khairah are about to get even more exciting. ASFAR, an investment arm of the Kingdom, is launching the Gamra Adventure Park on Khairah Mountain. Set to open in early 2026, this park will ditch the fences and invite you right into the wilderness, offering adventure tourism with zip lines, hiking trails, and eco-lodges. This isn’t just about fun; it’s about creating real, sustainable jobs for the local community.
Then there is “Raghadan Forest Park,” Al Baha’s crown jewel. Perched high in the clouds, Raghadan is currently a national model for how to manage mountain parks sustainably. While protecting the environment remains key, they are definitely ramping up the excitement.
Have you seen the new Cloud Walk Bridge? It’s a 100-metre suspension bridge that literally lets you walk through the mist, high above the slopes. For those who enjoy luxury in nature, plans are underway for a stunning 50,000-square-metre sustainable resort within the park.
Development in this area emphasises effective management and community engagement. In 2024, a significant initiative took place with the establishment of the “Tourism Excellence Association” in Al Baha. This association aims to bring together various stakeholders, including government officials and local business owners, to ensure that the benefits of the tourism boom directly impact the region.
And yes, they’re getting high-tech. Al Baha is even exploring artificial intelligence (AI) for tourism. Researchers are building systems that can analyse visitor feedback in real-time, allowing operators to personalise your experience instantly—a high-tech layer over a high-nature destination.
The soul of this region, however, lies in its deep cultural identity. You absolutely have to see the “Dhee Ayn Heritage Village.” Dating back to the 8th century CE, this “Marble Village” is truly stunning, sitting atop a white ridge like a single, ancient fortress.
The Saudi Tourism Authority has dedicated SAR 16 million to its restoration, ensuring those unique “Madamek” stone walls and the ancient terraces (fed by the village’s spring, the ‘Ain’) continue to produce crops like bananas and the highly prized kadi. Don’t forget the 1,001 stone qasbah lookout towers scattered across the region; they are a stunning visual reminder of the ancient Ghamid and Zahran tribes.
And the investment is serious. The entire Kingdom is focused on tourism. After welcoming 106.2 million tourists in 2023, the national goal has been raised to 150 million annual visits by 2030. Al Baha is a key piece of this puzzle, with strategic plans to develop 10,000 new hotel keys to handle the influx.
You can see the confidence in the numbers, as active investment opportunities for new three-star hotel projects offer healthy returns between 10-12%. The government is pouring money into the area, too, with SAR 2 billion recently dedicated to municipal infrastructure and quality-of-life projects.
With major road network upgrades making these misty forests easily accessible, Al Baha is quickly evolving. It’s a powerful statement that the green, cloud-covered mountains are just as vital to Saudi Arabia’s future as its oil, proving that nature and heritage are the next big exports.