The Red Sand Dunes Riyadh
The air is dry and the temperature is hot. The rocky outcrops on our left are barren and weather beaten. Then the terrain takes a sudden change and we find ourselves looking at a mass of windswept dunes. This is our target destination, for today we have ventured to the Red Sand Dunes Riyadh for an ATV experience!
Where are The Red Sand Dunes Riyadh
To get to the Red Sand Dunes Riyadh you need to drive outside of Riyadh for approximately 45 minutes. The dunes are close to the area known as Dirab. You will need to turn off the main highway shortly after coming down off the extremely steep section of the highway.
Click here for the location on Google Maps.
Renting an ATV in the Red Sand Dunes
Renting an ATV is no issue whatsoever. In fact the problem is there is too much choice! When you arrive at the location you will see numerous ATVs for hire and it’s a case of deciding who to use. We went for the large ATVs for an hour which cost us SAR100 each. For this we also got one of the guys to go with us in case of a breakdown or getting stuck in the soft sand, (which happened a lot!).
How to Maneuver the ATVs around the Dunes
Getting used to how the ATVs operate on the dunes took a few tries! Naturally we were eager to get going and took off at lightning speed into the dunes! Not too long afterwards, we are kicking sand up from our back wheels and sinking fast! Luckily our guy was on hand to bail us all out and put us back on the right track.
You need to stay away from the soft areas, stick to the areas where there are tracks. If you feel the ATV is getting stuck then change the gear. I found the best way to avoid getting stuck was by using between 3rd and 4th gear and going pretty fast.
If you get stuck you can reverse out of your track if you’re not gone too far down, or else you have to get off and pull it out yourself. These things are heavy and if your back wheels are embedded it’s not easy!
But once you get the hang of it then you’ll find yourself going up, down, and across the dunes like something out of Mad Max!
Other users on the Dunes
You will need to be aware that not only are there other ATVs on the dunes, but there are also those that like to bring their jeeps or trucks in there. Take care and keep an eye out for these as there is no real monitoring of activity in the area and it can be a free for all.
Keep to the tops of the dunes if possible so you can see your surroundings easily. Believe me, it makes for a much more enjoyable experience. Especially as these are the areas that are not as soft and the ATV will just glide over them.
If going up a dune and you are intending on cresting it fast try to make sure you know where everyone else is as you don’t want to meet someone coming towards you doing the same from the other side!
The View from the Dunes
As well as the stunning redness of the sands, you will see the rocky outcrops of the plateau that Riyadh is based on in the near distance. Around the area are green irrigated sections for the local farmers in the area. Its quite a contrast of scenery. And extremely beautiful.
If you go there on a Saturday morning which is a nice quiet time then your group will likely be the only ones there and it’s nice to have the place to yourselves to admire the place.
Are the Dunes worth visiting?
Hiring an ATV in the red sand dunes is always one of the must do things in Riyadh. You should definitely do it once just to experience it. We enjoyed our day, even though it took us a while to get going due to not navigating the dunes properly and continuously getting stuck! But after we had realized how to do this and we had no more problems then it was great fun accelerating up and over and down the dunes!
It’s a fun experience for couples or family or groups of friends, and we would recommend everyone to do it at least once during their time in Riyadh.
– Information if you are planning this activity
Cost: We paid SAR100 for an hour for the large ATVs.
When to do: It is best to go in the early morning as it is quieter. Be aware that in the summer months it will be about 50°C and being in the sunshine on an ATV will be harder.
Duration of activity: You can hire an ATV for varying amounts of time but it’s best to start off with an hour.
What to bring with you: Bring some water and clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty as the dust and sand will do this! Also a face mask of some sort is a good idea.
Location: For the location in Google Maps please click here.
Our Saudi Arabia Travel Guide
- For our Saudi Arabia Travel Guide with information for people looking to travel to Saudi Arabia please click here.
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