Tucked into the Al-Shawaq Center of Al-Lith Governorate in Makkah Region, Wadi Allayb National Park offers a blend of varied landscapes and history: striking rock formations, native vegetation led by arak, samar and salam trees, and the historic Aqairib Fort, a reminder of the area's building traditions.

The valley runs from the high Sarawat Mountains in the east, winds west through rocky outcrops and across the coastal plains, and empties into the Red Sea. Years of seasonal floods have carved its features, while dense natural stands of arak line its banks, drawing hikers, nature lovers and explorers.

Overlooking the valley, Aqairib Fort is a two-storey stone building with narrow openings typical of defensive architecture, showing how earlier inhabitants used the terrain for shelter and protection. Its historical and cultural value calls for documentation and study of its design so that the site can be preserved for future generations.

The park is managed by the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification, which sees it as a promising site for eco-tourism investment in activities suited to its character, such as camping, mountain walking and organised recreation. In spring, its flowering wild plants provide nectar and pollen that attract beekeepers.

The center works to expand vegetation cover, protect native plants and curb harmful practices, balancing conservation with access for visitors and investors. Al-Lith's natural and historical diversity, it notes, opens the way for responsible eco- and cultural tourism in the governorate.