Skip to content

Wayfarers in Riyadh cover photo

Wayfarers in Riyadh

1,171 members · Public group

Organized by Anna B

Share:

Join this group

Join this group

What we’re about

2024 Season Update

The 2024-2025 hiking season is officially open!

I've got an exciting season planned for this winter: we'll return to my favorite hikesthat we've discovered over the last three years and have the chance to define new routes around Riyadh.

I look forward to seeing familiar faces and meeting new hikers.

If you have never hiked with us, please join this Meetup group to receive notifications about upcoming hikes.

General Introduction

I started this group in November 2021 because I love long, tough hikes and wanted to discover all the beautiful natural sights around Riyadh. In the winter of 2021-2022, I was able to share five trips with dozens of hikers to discover some of the stunning landscapes around Riyadh. Over the last two winter (2022-2023 and 2023-2024), we were able to discover more hiking locations, with trips to the Ain Heet Cave, Sha'ib Luha Pool, Radwat Khuraim, the White Valley, and the Secret Pool. Check out the a video by Mazen below to see what it's all about.

Wayfarers are a diverse bunch: some are lifelong Riyadh residents, while others are recent transplants from the KSA or abroad. Our youngest hiker was (a very experienced) 10 and our oldest is preparing for retirement. What we share is the love of natural beauty, an open mind, and the willingness to get up early for a TOUGH hike.

Thanks to everyone's enthusiasm we have been able to share some magical moments together. Thanks to the generosity of our volunteer drivers, we have been able to keep these trips free.

Our typical schedule:
- 9:00: Wayfarers gather at a meeting point in central Riyadh (earlier in the hotter part of the season)
- 9:15: Everyone gets into SUVs and drive to the hiking location
- 10:15: We arrive at the hike starting point and start exploring
- 13:00: Pause hike for a break lunch break
- 17:00: Everyone back to the SUVs to watch the sunset together and hang out
- 18:00: SUVs head back to our meeting point in central Riyadh; individual groups may decide to return earlier or later
- 19:00: Return to central Riyadh

If you enjoy (real) hiking and are looking to meet new like-minded friends, Wayfarers in Riyadh is for you. There is so much more to discover. Let's do this together. Dust off your hiking shoes, pack plenty of water and a meal, lather on sunscreen - and let's go.

- Anna B

Upcoming events (1)

Sat, Dec 7, 2024, 8:00 AM ASTTOUGH, EXTRA-LONG HIKE: New trail in the Al Awsat Valley (15-20 km)
Needs location
OVERVIEW

For the last hike of the year, we will head south of Riyadh to return to Al Awsat to discover a new hike. The hike will take us across red sands, into wadis, and through multiple camel farms. We will hike at least 15km, an possibly up to 20km, going beyond the regular tourist route. While I have been to this area before, this is a brand new hike, and I will be discovering the area with you. Every hiker needs to be fit and ready for adventure.

Please join the waitlist by Thursday morning if you are interested in attending.

PREPARATION

Please bring a packed lunch and LOTS of water (3 liters minimum, given the length of this hike and the current weather).

Walking in the desert requires preparation. Proper hiking clothes and hiking footwear (ideally hiking boots) are a must. So is appropriate protection from the sun (hat, sunglasses, sunblock). Temperatures in the desert can change quickly: wear comfortable, breathable clothing to withstand the midday heat and bring layers for when the temperature drops in the evening.

Finally, and most importantly, make sure you are in great physical shape.
Every person is responsible for him or herself.

TRIP COORDINATION

Read this information carefully as it answers a lot of the common questions before contacting me. I organize these trips in my free time while working and balancing family responsibilities, so please respect my time as the organizer.

This is a free trip, organized by me on a volunteer basis and made possible by our wonderful volunteer drivers, who generously take other hikes along with them.

Hikes are coordinated through a dedicated WhatsApp group, which is launched on the Thursday or Friday before the hike. All information about the trip (meeting point, final schedule, hiking start location) will be shared through the dedicated WhatsApp group, not here. Don't contact me before Thursday asking why you're not in the WhatsApp group.

Joining the Waitlist on Meetup is not a guarantee of a spot. You need to answer all your questions, provide a mobile number, and confirm your interest by WhatsApp when I reach out to you. If you don't provide a phone number or confirm your interest when I reach out, I will move you to "Not Going".

No guests: everyone needs to register interest individually in Meetup.

This trip does not require an SUV to reach the trailhead. I will only add you to the group once I am sure that you have a ride if you need one. Sedans are allowed on this route.

APPROXIMATE SCHEDULE (to be confirmed by WhatsApp to attendees)

8:00: Gather at a meeting point in central Riyadh (location shared on WhatsApp) and check in

8:15: Everyone gets into vehicles, and we drive to the hiking location

9:30: We arrive at the hike starting point, introduce ourselves, and start exploring

12:30: Pause hike for a lunch break whenever you want

16:00: Everyone back to the cars (option to leave, hang out, or explore more )

17:00: Approximate return to Riyadh

As always, if you are as excited as I am about hiking, want to help, or have a day trip suggestion, please give me a shout.

Anna
12 attendees+7

Past events (24)

Fri, Nov 22, 2024, 8:00 AM ASTTOUGH HIKE: 15km Edge of the World Circular
This event has passed
24 attendees+19
Not open

Related topics