What we’re about
MARCH 2025 UPDATE
It’s a wrap! The Wayfarers winter hiking season is officially closed.
We have had a fantastic season with 12 different hikes completed, revisiting favorites like Khashm Al Hossain, Darb Al Manjour, Wadi Al Awsat, and our intense Edge of the World Circular. We have also discovered new trails together, including beautiful locations in Wadi Nisah and Al Quwaiiyah.
This winter we have also launched Urban Walks, which allow us to discover and reconnect with Riyadh’s urban landscape. We have completed five Urban Walks to date, enjoying the Sports Boulevard, Olaya, and Tahlia Street, while making Wayfarers more inclusive to different fitness levels.
Thank you to everyone who has participated this season.
I am proud that Wayfarers is now the biggest free hiking community in Riyadh, with more than 1,500 members. Our tough, varied hikes bring together Saudi nationals and expats from all over the globe.
What’s next?
- There will be no more Saturday hikes until this fall, when temperatures fall below 30C again. This is expected to take place in November 2025.
- Evening Urban Hikes will resume after Eid and will be scheduled on an ad hoc basis.
- I am considering doing shorter desert evening hikes in the summer: if you have experience with this and would like to help, please reach out.
- I am also considering running a consistent cleanup operation at Al Kharrarah Lake (a beautiful red sands area decimated by garbage). If you are interested or can help let me know.
- As always, I am open to suggestions for camping, hiking, and urban walk locations. You know where to find me.
Thank you for being a part of this community. I hope to see you soon.
Anna
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 winters (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. This season, I also launched Urban Walks - which are shorter evening walks in Riyadh - to continue building our hiking community and stay in shape. I am proud that we are now the biggest free hiking community in 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.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What type of hikes does Wayfarers run?
During the winter months, I organise long desert hikes on Saturdays. These are generally challenging hikes, with distances ranging from 10 to 20+ km, and involve 1-2 hours of travel from Riyadh. I also organise Urban Walks, which are shorter evening walks in Riyadh. These are informal city walks with distances of 5 to 12km that take place on weekday evenings.
How are the weekend desert hikes coordinated?
The new hikes are posted on Sunday or Monday. If you are interested in joining, please join the waitlist, which I will close sometime on Wednesday.
I reach out to everyone by WhatsApp to confirm interest and fitness level by Thursday. If you haven’t heard from me by Thursday evening, it’s because you didn’t provide contact information or answer the other questions.
Final trip details are sent to the dedicated WhatsApp group by Friday evening. They are not shared individually.
How are the Urban Walks coordinated?
It's simple. Sign up on Meetup any time before the walk starts. All the information is provided on the Urban Walk description.
What is a typical schedule for a weekend desert hike?
Hikes typically take place on Saturdays during the cooler winter months. Expect to spend the whole day out.
- Check-in is in central Riyadh is between 8:00 and 9:00, depending on weather and driving distance to the trailhead.
- Departure for trailhead 15 minutes after check-in. We carshare to promote community, reduce our environmental impact, and make sure we can include hikers without
- Arrival at trailhead and introductions will be 1-2 hours later, depending on location.
- Lunchtime is flexible
- Return to Riyadh is usually between 16:00 and 19:00, depending on driving distance and hike length.
Are there activities after a weekend desert hike?
I usually don’t coordinate activities after the hike, although I may provide suggestions of activities available nearby. However, some Wayfarers will end up staying out in the desert for a few hours after the hike ends and others go to dinner in Riyadh after returning.
If this is something you’re interested in, I encourage you to self-organize during or after the hike by talking to your fellow hikers.
How difficult are the hikes?
The difficulty level is described for each hike, but most weekend desert hikes are quite challenging. Wayfarers distinguishes itself with long, difficult hikes. You should be comfortable with hiking for at least 4 hours and a moderate or fast pace. If you are not physically active, this is not an appropriate first hike. Urban Walks are much easier.
Who attends the hikes?
The Wayfarers community is diverse: some members 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. It’s my belief that people who are get up early to go on a hike at the best kind of people.
How many people attend a hike?
Weekend desert hiking groups are limited to 40 people. Some more challenging weekend hikes will be smaller. Urban Walks are uncapped.
I signed up for the waitlist for a weekend desert hike and was moved to “not going”. Why?
If you did not answer all the questions during signup, you will automatically be moved to “not going.” I will not reach out to you if information is missing, but you can message me on Meetup to provide me with the missing information to rejoin the waitlist.
Can I bring my partner or a friend?
Yes, but they should sign up on Meetup separately. Only one person is allowed per reservation.
Can I bring my kids?
It depends. Small children are not allowed on the trip. Teenagers who are used to hiking may be allowed on the trip with prior approval (and don’t require an individual signup). This trip is not appropriate for your kids’ first hiking experience, but I am happy to recommend family-friendly hikes if you get in touch.
Can I bring my dog/cat/parrot?
No, unfortunately, this is a human-only hike.
What should I bring on a weekend desert hike?
- 2-3 liters of water
- Packed lunch and snacks if you’d like
- Sun protection: sunblock, hat, and sunglasses
- Layers in case it gets cold
How should I dress on a weekend desert hike?
Proper hiking clothes and hiking footwear (ideally hiking boots) are required for attendance. So is appropriate protection from the sun (hat, sunglasses, sunblock).
Wear comfortable and breathable clothing, and make sure to bring layers in case we end up staying out later than expected and the temperature drops. Avoid wearing all black.
You can wear short sleeves and shorts if you’d like while on the hike. However, I recommend longer sleeves to protect yourself from the sun. If you are a female who chooses to wear shorts and a t-shirt to the hike, I recommend dressing more conservatively or throwing on an abaya while at the meeting point in Riyadh.
Is it possible for me to meet the group directly to the hike starting point for a weekend desert hike?
To facilitate community building and make my life easier, everyone is required to meet at the meeting point in central Riyadh.
Does the weekend desert trip require an SUV?
It depends on the hike. I will share the vehicle requirements in the hike description.
I don’t have a car. Can I come on a winter desert hike?
Yes! We rideshare from a central location in Riyadh. If you need a ride, flag this when you are signing up. I will only add you to the trip if there’s a seat for you in someone else’s car.
How much does the trip cost?
Thanks to our volunteer drivers, I am proud that our hikes are free of charge.
I have an idea for a desert hike or an Urban Walk.
I am always looking to discover new hikes! Please send me a message through Meetup (or on WhatsApp if you have my number).
