Shafa Mountains
Shafa Mountains
4
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
Top ways to experience Shafa Mountains and nearby attractions
The area
Reach out directly
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.0
137 reviews
Excellent
57
Very good
53
Average
18
Poor
5
Terrible
4
Frances B
Yorkshire, UK2,488 contributions
May 2024 • Solo
Al Shafa Mountains are located a short drive from Taif. The journey to them is very pleasant. The roads are good and there are fruit sellers by the side of the road to tempt you with their wares.
Your overall experience on Al Shafa depends on the weather. When the weather is clear it affords you an amazing 360 degree view.
Even when the weather was a little hazy, I was still treated to a wonderful view. The temperature definitely drops due to the height you are at (approx 2500m) which can be a nice break from the hot sun.
Your overall experience on Al Shafa depends on the weather. When the weather is clear it affords you an amazing 360 degree view.
Even when the weather was a little hazy, I was still treated to a wonderful view. The temperature definitely drops due to the height you are at (approx 2500m) which can be a nice break from the hot sun.
Written May 23, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ddd
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia79 contributions
Jul 2020
You will enjoy the weather, but that's all. Do not raise your expectation. I did not see a nice restaurant or cafe to sit, you can stay in your car, ride around but that is all. Locals are also enjoying ATV ride, I found this dangerous for my kids.
Written July 31, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dr Taher
Blackpool, UK585 contributions
Sep 2014 • Solo
I have been in the Kingdom since over 32 months now, and although I am working nearly 200 km north of Taif, I frequently travel by car to Taif to take in its beautiful environs, large swaths of floral-embroidered roads and the city life that I miss in my rural area. Many a times, I travel onward to Jeddah. There are two ways to go to Jeddah from Taif. One is via the road that goes through the "sail-al-kabeer". This road is the only one allowed for heavy vehicles, is longer, and is easier to navigate.
The other route goes through a town called Hada. You take this route from the Aziziya district/King Faisal road, and it takes you down the Shafa mountain via a fantastic mountain road. The first 30 km of the road to the mountain is full of amusement parks in addition to houses and shops interspersed in between. The entire district gets a multi-colour look on weekend evenings, with rotating giant wheels, other rides such as small roller-coasters and so on.
During the day-time, however, the parks are empty, and you zip past them to reach the last outpost before the mountain road begins. At this outpost, there is a complete fruit-seller's market. You can stop here to buy fruit, drink tea, enjoy snacks in a fast-food joint (called "bufiya" in SA) and charge yourself for the drive ahead.
The mountain road is about 18-19 km, but is it great! It is two lanes all the way, with many balconies made for cars to stop and passengers to alight and enjoy the vistas. There are many places designated for U-turns. There is also a trolley (telefreek in Arabic) that goes down from the Hotel R - at the top down to an amusement park with water rides at the bottom (SR 35 per head for a ride one-way).
As you drive the first sector, you will see many Saudi cars stopped on the side-kerb to feed the baboons there. These monkeys are a big hit with Saudi kids and parents alike, and they sort of rule the "roost" here. You continue driving past a suspended U-bridge (recently made with sponsorship from a food manufacturer and hence christened Halwani bridge), and down the road for the next 18 kms. Speeding and overtaking is not permitted and the government has made barriers on both sides to prevent cars from going over the hill to the valley. There are plenty of road signs exhorting the visitors to slow down, and they are bilingual (Arabic and English). There are also many speed-breakers to check speeding vehicles.
If you drive in the slow lane, you can appreciate the views from the mountain. The road is tricky at some places, and you have to almost turn 270 degrees at times to reach the next sector of the road, but as the tarmac is smooth and the road is designed in a technically perfect way, you actually enjoy gripping your steering wheel to navigate these crazy turns.
The mountains all around you are basaltic rock, with just shrub and ground vegetation in places.
Periodically, you see tourist signs showing one the places where original caravan paths existed to descend the mountains. I haven't used any of these paths or alighted from my car to take a look, but it is a good initiative from the government.
Once you cross about 15 km, the roads become straighter, and you can speed up your vehicle. At the end, you would naturally turn into a gas station-restaurant-services complex on your right to rest your vehicle, stretch yourself and perhaps buy stuff from the local "supermarket" (bakala in Arabic) or share tea and biscuits with your companions.
All in all, this is a not-to-be-missed road for those who love travelling.
P.S. For Muslim pilgrims travelling to Makkah, there is a "miqaat" (or praying place used since the times of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)) along this route right at the beginning. The devotee MUST take a ritual bath, remove his worldly clothes and wear white sheets on his body before progressing to Makkah for the Umrah or for the Hajj.
The other route goes through a town called Hada. You take this route from the Aziziya district/King Faisal road, and it takes you down the Shafa mountain via a fantastic mountain road. The first 30 km of the road to the mountain is full of amusement parks in addition to houses and shops interspersed in between. The entire district gets a multi-colour look on weekend evenings, with rotating giant wheels, other rides such as small roller-coasters and so on.
During the day-time, however, the parks are empty, and you zip past them to reach the last outpost before the mountain road begins. At this outpost, there is a complete fruit-seller's market. You can stop here to buy fruit, drink tea, enjoy snacks in a fast-food joint (called "bufiya" in SA) and charge yourself for the drive ahead.
The mountain road is about 18-19 km, but is it great! It is two lanes all the way, with many balconies made for cars to stop and passengers to alight and enjoy the vistas. There are many places designated for U-turns. There is also a trolley (telefreek in Arabic) that goes down from the Hotel R - at the top down to an amusement park with water rides at the bottom (SR 35 per head for a ride one-way).
As you drive the first sector, you will see many Saudi cars stopped on the side-kerb to feed the baboons there. These monkeys are a big hit with Saudi kids and parents alike, and they sort of rule the "roost" here. You continue driving past a suspended U-bridge (recently made with sponsorship from a food manufacturer and hence christened Halwani bridge), and down the road for the next 18 kms. Speeding and overtaking is not permitted and the government has made barriers on both sides to prevent cars from going over the hill to the valley. There are plenty of road signs exhorting the visitors to slow down, and they are bilingual (Arabic and English). There are also many speed-breakers to check speeding vehicles.
If you drive in the slow lane, you can appreciate the views from the mountain. The road is tricky at some places, and you have to almost turn 270 degrees at times to reach the next sector of the road, but as the tarmac is smooth and the road is designed in a technically perfect way, you actually enjoy gripping your steering wheel to navigate these crazy turns.
The mountains all around you are basaltic rock, with just shrub and ground vegetation in places.
Periodically, you see tourist signs showing one the places where original caravan paths existed to descend the mountains. I haven't used any of these paths or alighted from my car to take a look, but it is a good initiative from the government.
Once you cross about 15 km, the roads become straighter, and you can speed up your vehicle. At the end, you would naturally turn into a gas station-restaurant-services complex on your right to rest your vehicle, stretch yourself and perhaps buy stuff from the local "supermarket" (bakala in Arabic) or share tea and biscuits with your companions.
All in all, this is a not-to-be-missed road for those who love travelling.
P.S. For Muslim pilgrims travelling to Makkah, there is a "miqaat" (or praying place used since the times of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)) along this route right at the beginning. The devotee MUST take a ritual bath, remove his worldly clothes and wear white sheets on his body before progressing to Makkah for the Umrah or for the Hajj.
Written September 26, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CoinsExplorer
London, UK294 contributions
Jan 2020
Enjoy the Evening at Mountain Peak of this Famous Mountain of Taif, great time spending, have a best Weather
Written February 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kannan Thangaraju
Saudi Arabia5 contributions
Sep 2017 • Family
it was wonderful and nice journey from ramada hotel through cable car to down , almost the travel is 10Mins through cable car to reach the water park.
Written September 4, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RamPH
Caloocan, Philippines218 contributions
Jun 2017 • Friends
Although it is not my first time to take the cable car at Taif, I still am so excited to give it a shot for the second time after almost 5 years.
Too many things have changed in this attraction most specially the resort/swimming area.
For the first time, I tried riding the Toboggan. It was one hell of a ride though. It was just a fun ride and would definitely try it again soon as I am back in Taif.
Too many things have changed in this attraction most specially the resort/swimming area.
For the first time, I tried riding the Toboggan. It was one hell of a ride though. It was just a fun ride and would definitely try it again soon as I am back in Taif.
Written July 2, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SultanMansouri
126 contributions
May 2017 • Friends
Alshafa is a part from heaven located in Taif.. Don't miss to visit the villages near Daka Mountain and behind Alhadban Resort/Park .. You'll find amazing places for Barbecue 👌🏻😍
Written June 16, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Yasin Karagöz
Konya, Türkiye29 contributions
Nov 2016
It is very nice place.
But be careful, I came here today and I see that location which indicated by TripAdvisor is wrong. There is more than 100 km between correct location and TripAdviser indicated location. Please check my pictures, green is wrong location, blue is correct location.
But be careful, I came here today and I see that location which indicated by TripAdvisor is wrong. There is more than 100 km between correct location and TripAdviser indicated location. Please check my pictures, green is wrong location, blue is correct location.
Written November 18, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
999PeterK
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia368 contributions
Apr 2015 • Solo
The drive up to Al Haba / Taif is spectacular, and well worth the trip. The cable car ride is a must, as is the toboggan ride. I didn't go in the pools / water slide but they looked great and I will be visiting again to try them.
Written April 26, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Taha Alansari
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia428 contributions
I spend one night with family on this resort, it was very cold temperature 20 degree at night and 24 degrees at day time. The facility was very good as location in the top area of Shafa Mountain (DakaMountain) view to all down green mountain, furniture and accessories were made from Sweden products (IKIA) but the only comments were the Resort dose not have rusturen you have to drive 10 mints down of the mountain and also the little bit windy weather at night not good for children.
Regards
Regards
Written August 24, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi, the green mountain is the same location than Shafaa Mountain?
Written April 4, 2019
No real idea, but I guess it would be allowed
Written February 11, 2019
Mohd Shaimi A
Arau, Malaysia
Have public transport for go to taif cable car ??
Written December 30, 2018
How much entrence fee one person?? And is there female pool available??
Written June 23, 2018
Dears
Is it necessary to go to Ramada hotel and then approached to to water park via Cable car. Or is there any other option also to go directly to water park and from there use cable car to go to the top?
As the route to the Hotel is quite dangerous and zig zag.
Written May 16, 2018
Will you please explain it a little bit more? Do we have to book a room at Ramada Hotel for Cable Car?
And what is the price for cable car and water park?
Written May 13, 2018
No, you don't to book a room in Ramada hotel to enjoy the cable care ride.
I think cable car price is more than 50 riyals. And then for the water park, I am not sure about the price.
Written May 14, 2018
Do you mean the water park at Al Hada with the Cable Car?
The reception desk at Al Hada Ramada Hotel will be able to advise on the opening times and costs for the cable car and water park.
Written September 7, 2017
Showing results 1-9 of 9
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing