WABAH CRATER فوهة الوعبة

WABAH CRATER فوهة الوعبة is one of Saudi Arabia’s greatest NATURAL WONDERS. Also known as Fawhat al Wabah or Maqla Tamiyyah, it is quite simply spectacular! In volcanic terms it is a ‘Maar Crater’ formed by a phreatic eruption thousands & thousands of years ago (hot magma came into contact with ground water producing a steam explosion). What is left is a broad low relief crater which often captures water.

It is located in Makkah Province, 250km northwest of the city of Taif on the western edge of Harrat Kishb (a massive lava field). From the surface you can’t see much, it’s only when you get close and can look over the edge down into the crater does it’s magnificence show itself to you. In basic terms it’s a massive hole in the ground. Being 250m deep and 2km wide, it is certainly not insignificant. 

Many people drive to the visitor centre (which is easily accessible on a tarmac road) and enjoy the dramatic view from one of the several picnic spots along the western rim. For those more adventurous there is a path down to the bottom which starts a little bit north of the visitor centre. The path is very steep & rocky, and there are many big steps down. It meanders and traverses, zig-zagging the side of the crater for over 900m. On average it takes 60mins to get down and 90mins to come back up. This varies greatly person to person but is a good starting point for planning purposes. 

Whilst it may be cold at the top, the temperature rises you go down because it’s very sheltered. Most people either go down first thing in the morning or late afternoon. Best to avoid high summer as it’s so incredibly hot then. Taking water and some sort of energising food is also recommended. At the bottom it’s sublime. Peaceful and so very calm. Interesting there was 4G signal when we went recently. The floor of the crater is flat and covered in sodium phosphate salt crystals. These form magical shapes which dissolve when there’s rain and then form again when it dries out. Around the edge of the crater there is a large amount of greenery, small trees and succulents plants that thrive in salty areas.

It really is a spectacular natural wonder.