48.6
PDI
10.8 mi
DISTANCE
5,564 ft
GAINED
9.8 %
AVG. GRADE
FULL CLIMB STATS
INTRO
Al Aqiqah is a 10.8-mile, 5,564-foot climb up the western escarpment of the Sarawat Mountains in Saudi Arabia's Aseer Province, rising from about 2,970 feet to roughly 8,530 feet near An Namas. It averages an extraordinary 9.84% grade over its full length, with the steepest quarter-mile at over 18% and the first mile averaging better than 15% - we currently rank it the 46th-hardest climb in our database and the 6th-hardest of the 15 Asir Mountains climbs we've documented.
The road is one of several paved Aqabat - mountain passes built by Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Transport - that connect the high Sarawat plateau around An Namas to the Tihamah lowlands below. Like its neighbors, it's carved directly into the escarpment face, climbing in a long, relentless, switchbacking pull with almost no flat sections to recover on.
We documented Al Aqiqah as part of our November 2021 Asir Mountains expedition, riding it and the region's other Top 100 World climbs with our guide Adnan. The Asir Mountains hold the highest concentration of HC and Top 100 World climbs anywhere on earth, and Al Aqiqah is a genuine example why - it's short by comparison to some of its neighbors, but the sustained near-10% average, with real double-digit ramps throughout, makes it a serious test for any climber.
PLAN YOUR ROUTE
We've partnered with Sherpa-Map.com to bring you the best route planning tool. With a PRO Membership you can use this climb as a reference when creating your route. Al Aqiqah is steep from the very first pedal stroke and never really lets up. The opening quarter-mile averages over 18%, the first half-mile is above 16%, and the whole first mile still averages just over 15% - a punishing way to start any climb. From there the gradient eases somewhat but stays hard: the first 2.5 miles average 13.2%, and even by the 5-mile mark the running average is still just under 11%.
Over the full 10.8 miles the climb averages 9.84%, which for a climb this long is exceptionally difficult - there's very little respite anywhere on the road. Riders should be prepared for sustained double-digit pitches rather than a single crux section.
Roadway: Al Aqiqah is fully paved, built and maintained by Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Transport and Logistic Services as one of the region's Aqabat - engineered mountain passes connecting the Sarawat plateau to the Tihamah coastal plain below. Surface quality is generally good, consistent with the region's other government-built mountain highways, though as with any long escarpment road, watch for rockfall debris and be prepared for tight switchbacks with limited sightlines.
Traffic: Traffic is generally light to moderate - these Aqabat roads carry local and regional traffic between the highlands and the coast, but see nowhere near the volume of a major highway. On our 2021 trip through the Asir Mountains, we found traffic minimal to mild on nearly every climb in the region, and motorists were consistently courteous, often stopping to offer water or encouragement to cyclists.
Parking: There's no dedicated trailhead or parking area for this climb. Riders coming from a stay in An Namas or Abha typically arrange transport to the base of the climb with a local guide or driver, then ride back up to town at the finish.
Gearing is the single most important piece of equipment for this climb. With a 9.84% average and repeated pitches over 15-18%, a compact or sub-compact crankset paired with a wide-range cassette is essential - we used a 34-tooth chainring with a 42-tooth cassette and still struggled; a 42-50t cassette is a reasonable target if you're not an exceptionally strong climber.
Carry more water than you think you'll need - temperatures at the base can reach 90-100°F, even though it typically cools into the 80s by the summit. There are no services, water sources, or shade on the climb itself, so plan to carry what you need or arrange support. A cell signal is generally reliable throughout the Asir Mountains on major carriers.
Before heading out on any cycling adventure check out our Things to Bring on a Cycling Trip and use our interactive check list to ensure you don't forget anything.
Al Aqiqah sits between Abha and Al Bahah in Aseer Province - the nearest sizeable town is An Namas, where basic hotels are available; Abha, about two hours south, has a much wider range of hotels and restaurants.
The most practical way to fly in is via Abha Regional Airport or Jeddah, with a guide or driver arranged in advance - most of the Asir Mountains' best climbs, including this one, have no signage, official parking, or cycling infrastructure.
The best riding months are November through February, when temperatures are far more manageable than the summer heat. We rode this region with local guide Adnan (a.q.9@hotmail.com), whose knowledge of the roads, culture, and history made an enormous difference - we'd strongly recommend arranging local support for any visit to the Asir Mountains.
Despite the remote setting, we found the people of the region uniformly welcoming; drivers regularly stopped to offer water or encouragement, a sharp contrast to the region's reputation among those who haven't visited.
ROUTE MAP
MEMBER RATING
CURRENT WEATHER
PJAMM TRIPS ADVENTURE STARTER BUNDLES
Check out PJAMM Adventure's prepackaged (self-guided) cycling trips. They will help you plan, document and conquer your next adventure.
NEARBY CLIMBS (0) RADIAL PROXIMITY
FROM No Climbs Found
MEMBER REVIEWS & COMMENTS
Let us know what you thought of this climb. Signup for our FREE membership to write a review or post a comment.
Already have an account?
LOG IN HERE
