AlUla Old Town and AlJadidah

From the Old Town South Parking, walk into AlUla's Old Town (العلا القديمة) and follow Old Town Market Street, a pedestrian lane of shops and cafés between the mud-brick houses of a settlement that dates from the 12th century. Keep on north through the Old Town's lanes to the North Parking in AlJadidah, and walk back the same way. The Royal Commission for AlUla says the Old Town and its 14 gates were overlooked by a fort about 45 m high, and that the town stood on the incense trading routes and on the pilgrimage path from Damascus to Makkah.

It is 4.4 km there and back and almost flat (42 m of ascent); allow about 1¼ hours, more to stop. The grade is Easy: lanes and pedestrian streets. The Royal Commission says the Old Town is free and open to all, that parking is free at the South Parking and at the larger North Parking in AlJadidah, and that most of the Old Town opens between 8 and 9 am, with shops open until 11 pm.

The lanes give little shade: walk in the cooler months, early or after 3 pm, and carry water. The UK government advises loose clothing that covers the elbows and knees across Saudi Arabia, while the Royal Commission says AlUla has no particular clothing restriction and asks for modest dress in places of worship; ask for consent before photographing people, particularly women and families.

Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.