Wanderlust contributing editor becomes first to walk length of Saudi Arabia from north to south Wanderlust contributing editor becomes first to walk length of Saudi Arabia from north to south

Wanderlust contributing editor Alice Morrison has become the first recorded person to walk the length of Saudi Arabia from north to south.

Completed in two parts, Alice averaged around 30,000 steps over 112 days to complete a total distance of 2,195 kilometres.

During the first stage, which began on 1 January this year, Alice set off from the Jordan border near Halat Ammar, following along the Pilgrimage Route and passing through Prince Mohamed Bin Salman Royal Reserve and the volcanic regions of Harrat Ar Raha before finishing in AlUla, having traversed 930 kilometres.

The second stage, which began on 10 October in Madinah, saw Alice pass through the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Hima and travel along the old caravan trails of the Elephant’s Road before finishing near the Saudi-Yemen border.

Alice said of the journey, “Walking every step north to south has been a personal challenge. The goal forced me to keep going when I was exhausted or in pain or just fed up. Walking is a way to see and feel every detail of the path you travel. An exploration but also a meditation.

“This expedition has exceeded my expectations in every way. I’ve been challenged mentally and physically and had my preconceptions of Saudi shattered. I’ve walked across a country full of wild landscapes, history ready to be discovered and the most hospitable people in the world. One of the revelations has been the women I’ve met who are instigating a quiet cultural revolution.

“The journey’s been tough at times and then it is the team that keeps you going. From Saudi, Scotland, Sudan, Yemen and Ireland, we’ve pulled through with humour and determination. Our two camels have helped too – endless entertainment as they search out snacks wherever they can.”

Alice was joined by her two camels, Juicy and Lulu, as well as a small team from MAD Adventures. Stumbling across archaeological sites along the way, the team logged finds including 4,000-year-old rock carvings, Bronze Age tombs, and Stone Age tools through GPS, photography and field notes, adding to a picture of the landscape here that is rarely documented.

More information: alicemorrison.co.uk

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