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  #1  
Old 2 Mar 2006
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Hijaz Railway - Saudi
Has anyone done the Hijaz Railway road from Mada in Salih (Al Ula) to Tabuk in Saudi? I've heard it's an amazing route. However I don't want to do it if it's all sand or difficult to follow. Any experiences would appreciated.

cheers
Brett
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Old 2 Mar 2006
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Quote:
Originally posted by BrettUAE:
Has anyone done the Hijaz Railway road from Mada in Salih (Al Ula) to Tabuk in Saudi? I've heard it's an amazing route. However I don't want to do it if it's all sand or difficult to follow. Any experiences would appreciated.

cheers
Brett

It's definitely all sand and in large parts soft, loose sand. You might be able to ride the elevated base of the railway since the tracks have long since been taken for better use, but I think the base has been flooded away in many places also. It's basically desert riding all the way. The scenery near Al-Ola/Mada'in Saleh is spectacular though. If you plan to visit Mada'in saleh, you need an entry permit from the ministry of archaelogy.
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Old 7 Mar 2006
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Thanks Dagge. Useful info. Cheers, Brett.
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Old 30 Jun 2008
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Madain Saleh
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Originally Posted by Dagge View Post
It's definitely all sand and in large parts soft, loose sand.
Has there been any recent change in this road's condition? If not, can we get through to the Red Sea coast road to Aqaba on tarmac without backtracking along road 70 onto road 15?

Thanks.
Stephan
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Old 2 Jul 2008
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I would not guarantee asphalt, but it looks like there are many minor roads between Al Ula / Duba / Al Wejh. What vehicle?
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Old 2 Jul 2008
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Thanks.
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Originally Posted by Bin Ridin View Post
I would not guarantee asphalt, but it looks like there are many minor roads between Al Ula / Duba / Al Wejh. What vehicle?
R1100GS with off-road capability and K1200RS with practically none (graded roads are doable but I'd prefer not).

Thanks for the info. I guess, at worst, we can ask at Al Ula if we get there...
Stephan
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Old 9 Jul 2008
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Thumbs up Answering my own question...
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Originally Posted by Bin Ridin View Post
I would not guarantee asphalt, but it looks like there are many minor roads between Al Ula / Duba / Al Wejh. What vehicle?
There is a (very scenic) asphalt road from Al Ula to Al Wejh. Then it's a right turn all the way up the coast to Duba, Al Hagl and the Jordanian border.

The landscapes around Al Ula are spectacular and worth the journey time.
Stephan
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Old 10 Jul 2008
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R1100GS with off-road capability and K1200RS with practically none (graded roads are doable but I'd prefer not).

Thanks for the info. I guess, at worst, we can ask at Al Ula if we get there...
Stephan

Hi Stephan

I went a few years ago. there is a lot of sand and what is left of old embankments. Will be a struggle on a GS.

There is a book called "Desert Treks around Riyadh" that gives directions and a guide for the route, I'll see if I can find it.

Also get to Wahba Crater if you can, it is unbelievable.

Amazon.co.uk: Desert Treks from Riyadh: Ionis Thompson: Books

Be observant around Al Ula & Medain Saleh. A group of French nationals were shot after visiting last year:

BBC NEWS | Middle East | French killed in Saudi shooting
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Old 10 Jul 2008
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Be observant around Al Ula & Medain Saleh. A group of French nationals were shot after visiting last year:

BBC NEWS | Middle East | French killed in Saudi shooting
Thanks for the info, Redsnapper! That explains our police escort from north of Hail to the Jordanian border...
Stephan
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Old 11 Jul 2008
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PS Some of this stuff may be out of date, the book is a good few years old now.
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Old 11 Jul 2008
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Old 11 Jul 2008
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For anybody who may be interested. Some of this may be out of date by now.
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Old 11 Jul 2008
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Sme pics:





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Old 12 Jan 2009
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Fantastic.
Oh how I wish I could leave tomorrow.

I will plan to enter Saudi from Jordan, which border to enter at? and exit Saudi at Port of Jeddah.

I would not like to travel this country on a 'transit visa', 18 hours is just too short, but would like perhaps 7 to 10 days.

This then, only leaves a 'tourist visa'
So, fast forward to January 2009, are tourist visa's still difficult to get, does one still need a letter of invitation.

My wife and I will be driving a Land Cruiser.
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