Barquq Mountain

Barquq Mountain is one of the mountains in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, located north of Mahayil Aseer Governorate, Aseer Province, southwest of the Kingdom. It stands at an elevation of 1,922 m above sea level and is part of the Sarwat Mountains, which extend from the border with the Republic of Yemen to the north of Taif City.

The mountain's name is derived from its distinctive shape and surrounding nature. It was named after the fragrant al-Barq plant with a pleasant aroma that is widespread across the mountain. Some say that its name is a metaphor for a camel in a resting position.

Barquq Mountain is renowned for its breathtaking scenery, making it a popular tourist attraction. It is one of the most popular mountains in Tihama Aseer, located approximately thirty-six km from Mahayil Aseer Province. The mountain is surrounded by valleys with ever-flowing water, the largest being Wadi al-Ghayl, which is affiliated with al-Majaridah Governorate.

Barquq Mountain is located in Tihama Bani Shehr, east of Thloth al-Mandhar Center. It is a rugged mountain separated from Durum Mountain by Wadi Na's, and contains several villages.

Barquq Mountain is described as a tall black mountain overlooking Wadi Na's from the northeast. It is renowned for its abundance of tigers, leopards, hyenas, and wolves. The mountain is covered with coffee plants, wild olive trees, yarrows, artemisia, Juniperus, henna, aromatic herbs such as cady, basil, bulrushes, and roses, and fruits of all kinds. Additionally, wheat, barley, corn, and sesame are cultivated on the mountain, which hosts several beehives.

The vegetation cover of Barquq Mountain also includes mesquite plants, grown in Hathan Village, and some coffee crops cultivated in farms called (al-Waghin).

Many people live in the vicinity of the mountain in a group of rural villages, including al-Thabt, Hiddah, al-Shifaa', Hidan, al-Jarah, and as-Sudrah. The mountain also serves as a haven for many wild animals, such as Arabian leopards, gazelles, wolves, lynx, capra, rabbits, and hyrax. A diverse array of birds, including partridges, quails, francolins, and al-qahabi, inhabit the mountain, along with migratory bird species, especially during the summer months.