Sarawat Mountains

The Sarawat Mountains are the highest mountain range in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. They consist of three of the highest peaks, with Jabal al-Soudah being the highest among them. The Sarawat Mountains represent the southern part of the Western Highlands Mountain range, extending from the border of the Republic of Yemen to the north of the city of al-Taif.

The Sarawat Mountains begin with low hills after the plain, gradually increasing in height as you move eastward. The area where they converge is called "al-Hubatah," the boundary region. It consists of the western slopes that descend towards the west, and from there, several narrow valleys with steep and elevated sides originate. This region is known as the highlands and starts from the water division line, where valleys flow westward towards Tihamah or eastward towards the inner plain regions.

The Sarawat Mountains include the highest peaks in the Kingdom, including Jabal al-Sawdah, which is the highest with an elevation of approximately 3,015 m, Jabal Ferwa' at 3,004 m, Jabal Natfa at 2,971 m, Jabal al-Majaz at 2,902 m, al-Sahlaa at 2,837 m, Manaa at 2,782 m, Mawma at 2,639 m, Kutfaa at 2,623 m, Bathrah at 2,604 m, Uthrab at 2,447 m, al-Balas at 2,253 m, and Kara at 2,177 m.

Deep-sea valleys descend from the Sarawat Mountains into the Red Sea, including the valleys of Khulab, Jazan, Damad, Baish, Hali, Yaba, al-Ahsaba, and al-Lith, while the Harrat, which is a basalt rash, covers some parts of the valleys, including Harrat Nawasif, al-Birk, and al-Sarat.

The Sarawat Mountains intersect with several major regions, including al-Bahah, Aseer, Najran, Jazan, and al-Taif Governorate in Makkah al-Mukarramah Region. They extend across these regions, connecting high peaks with their slopes and reaching into the plains of Tihama. These mountains are traversed by various mountain roads such as Aqabat al-Hada/al-Kar, Aqabat Shuaar, Aqabat al-Sama, Aqabat King Abdullah (Sanan), Aqabat Dhalaa, Aqabat al-Bahah, Aqabat Talaa, Aqabat al-Tawhid, Aqabat Nasab, Aqabat al-Sakeen, and Aqabat Al Obeid.

In the Sarawat Mountains, the highest rates of biodiversity in the Kingdom's natural environments are found. The mountains are home to various types of forests, particularly juniper forests on their slopes. Other plant species such as acacia trees, wild olives, and some medicinal and aromatic herbs also grow in the area. Beekeeping is common in the region, and it is home to important national parks in Aseer, al-Taif, and al-Bahah.