Al-baha: International Mountain Day, observed annually on December 11, renews the call to highlight the environmental and developmental value of mountains and their role in preserving biodiversity, providing water resources, and promoting sustainability. In this context, Al-Baha Region stands out as one of the Kingdom's most prominent mountainous areas, with towering ranges in the Sarat Mountains and diverse environments that enrich its ecological and cultural identity.
According to Saudi Press Agency, the mountains of Al-Baha rise above 2,400 meters in several locations, including Shada Al-Aala Mountain, a unique natural reserve home to granite formations dating back millions of years and to rare aromatic and wild plants. The region also hosts wildlife protected under the programs of the National Center for Wildlife.
Al-Baha's mountains attract tourists and nature enthusiasts with their prepared mountain trails, terraces overlooking deep valleys, and natural parks such as Raghadan Park, Shada Al-Asfal Mountain, and the Shada Al-Aala Mountain Reserve. They also feature heritage villages built along mountain slopes, reflecting traditional highland lifestyles through their stone architecture and time-honored living practices.
Experts stressed that the mountainous environment in Al-Baha is one of the Kingdom's national assets with economic, tourism, and environmental value. Sustainable natural resources characterize the region's mountains and play a key role in boosting water security by capturing rainfall and replenishing valleys and wells. They also contribute to enhancing biodiversity, an element the region relies on in its future development plans.