Zubaidah Trail Stations in Hail

Zubayda Trail Stations in Hail are archaeological sites located in Hail Province, north of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Zubayda Trail, also known as 'al-Kufi Hajj Route,' stretches from Kufa City in Iraq, passing through the northern and central Kingdom, reaching Makkah al-Mukarramah. Its length within Saudi territories exceeds 1,400 km, traversing five provinces: Northern Borders, Hail, Qassim, al-Madinah al-Munawwarah, and Makkah al-Mukarramah.

The length of Zubaidah Trail within the administrative borders of Hail Province is over 350 km, with a quarter of the trail's total distance located in Hail Province. The trail in Hail contains several main and subsidiary stations, which include facilities, buildings, and services to caravans and travelers.

Zubaidah Trail is named after Zubaidah Bint Ja'far, the wife of Abbasid Caliph Harun al-Rashid, in recognition of her charitable works and the numerous stations ordered to be built along the route.

Hail Province is a significant area for the historical Zubaidah Trail, with thirty-one documented stations along the trail within the province boundaries. These include: al-Ashar Site, the first station from the north in Hail Province, with remnants of thirty diverse architectural units of different sizes and functions arranged in a single row; al-Araish Site, featuring seven units spread across 150 m east-west and 240 m north-south; al-Bad', a major station on Zubaidah Trail following Fayd Station; Shamat Kabid Site, with seven scattered units; and Wasit Site, a medium-sized site with twenty-five varied units of different sizes and functions. Additional sites are al-Khazimiyah, al-Ajfar Pool, as-Saqiyah Site, al-Millah Pool, al-Huwayd Pool, al-Shaghwa Site, Abu Rawadif Site, al-Makhruqa Site, al-Mudhiribat Site, al-Jafaliya, Sumairaa Site, Harid, Kutaifah, al-Ba'ith, and more.

The Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (formerly) conducted a comprehensive survey of Zubaidah Trail's landmarks in Hail, created maps, carried out scientific studies, and restored some of its features. They also conducted scientific research at several key sites along Zubaidah Trail, including archaeological excavations, restoration, and preparation work at Fayd Archaeological Site in Hail Province, which is considered a major station along the trail. The commission, in coordination with the Emirate of Hail Province and Hail Region Development Authority, conducted archaeological excavations and restoration of discovered archaeological landmarks, cleaned and restored the ponds, created pathways for tourists within the site, installed informative panels, and established a dedicated museum for the site.

Since 2018, Hail Province has hosted an annual festival celebrating the historic Zubaidah Trail. The festival includes scientific, cultural, and historical programs and forums, a photography exhibition, visual arts, as well as youth and sport activities, a tourist bus, museum exhibitions, and an entertainment theater.

The festival includes the Zubaidah Trail Caravan, which tours one of the Zubaidah Trail stations each year, such as Fayd City, located midway between Makkah al-Mukarramah and Baghdad. The aim of the Zubaidah Trail Festival is to revive the historic route as a path for pilgrims and trade caravans, and to showcase the historical city of Fayd along with the province's heritage and cultural tourism.