The forests and parks of Al Bahah are an important part of its vegetation. Either man-made or created by nature, they are mainly found on the slopes or valleys of the Sarawat Mountains, where rain clouds rain down on the peaks and (often thick) fog forms in the winter months. The forests of Al Bahah are therefore often mentioned as worthwhile tourist destinations – this applies equally to the forests of the city and the surrounding area.
Raghadan Forst Park
The Raghadan Forest is one of the city’s most striking destinations due to its green spaces and charming nature. It is criss-crossed with many stone paths for strolling or shady seating areas. There are plenty of grassy areas for picnics, a favourite among Saudis. there are leisure activities for the older ones, particularly zip lining. The starting house for zip lining is located in the far south-west of the park and is called Besat Al Reeh. North of it, a small road leads to a view point, from where you can see the whole city.
Prince Hussam Park
This is a smaller, man-made park on the plateau in the south-west of the city, near the Ghunaim Shopping Mall on King Faisal Rd. The park is modelled on a depression with a green border. Artificial ponds, water stairs over which small bridges lead and interactive water fountains are scattered throughout the park. The park is adorned with green areas, trees and flowers. It also offers a few recreational facilities for children and opportunities to exercise in the park. And if you are not afraid of heights, you can even cross a steep gorge on a suspension bridge at the edge of the high plateau to the valley.
Khairah Forest and Waterfall
Even further north-west than the Raghadan Forest, to the west of the village of Qarn Dhabi, is the Khairah Forest, which also includes the Wadi Khairah Waterfall. Both are very popular excursion destinations.
Khairah Forest itself is a natural park, while the park of the same name at its foot (another name is Prince Mishari bin Saud Park) is man-made.
