{
  "name": "Al Hada Escarpment Road",
  "slug": "al-hada-escarpment-road",
  "url": "https://www.bestdrivingroads.com/roads/al-hada-escarpment-road/",
  "summary": "Saudi Arabia's most famous mountain road descends the Hejaz Escarpment from the Al Hada plateau through 93 switchback bends, dropping roughly 1,300 m toward the Tihamah coastal plain.",
  "roadNumbers": [
    "15"
  ],
  "location": {
    "country": "Saudi Arabia",
    "region": "Mecca Province",
    "start": {
      "name": "Al Hada",
      "lat": 21.370829,
      "lon": 40.264505
    },
    "end": {
      "name": "Kara Checkpoint",
      "lat": 21.295858,
      "lon": 40.384302
    }
  },
  "measurements": {
    "lengthMiles": 11.8,
    "lengthKm": 19,
    "driveMinutes": 24,
    "corners": 93,
    "hairpins": 1,
    "maxGradientPercent": 10,
    "summitMetres": 1986.7,
    "elevationConfidence": "measured",
    "difficulty": "moderate",
    "tightnessOutOf10": 5
  },
  "timing": {
    "bestSeasons": [
      "autumn",
      "winter",
      "spring"
    ]
  },
  "conditions": {},
  "hazards": [
    "Ninety-three bends requiring constant steering input",
    "Fog and low cloud reducing visibility near the summit",
    "Baboons on the carriageway at multiple points",
    "Heavy truck and bus traffic on a major inter-city route",
    "Heat haze and high temperatures in summer"
  ],
  "scenery": [
    "mountain",
    "valley"
  ],
  "pointsOfInterest": [
    "Thalabah Dam"
  ],
  "geometry": {
    "pointCount": 89
  },
  "attribution": {
    "source": "Routes - bestdrivingroads.com",
    "citation": "Cite with a link to the road page. Stats are measured from the mapped line, not copied from other lists; where elevationConfidence is \"approximate\" the 30 m DEM cannot resolve that line and the elevation figures are indicative.",
    "roadGeometry": "(c) OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL",
    "terms": "Facts are free to cite with attribution; bulk reproduction of the catalogue requires permission (simon@keane.studio)."
  },
  "updated": "2026-08-03"
}