RIYADH: The Kingdom’s Tourism Minister Ahmed Al-Khatib recently traveled on the Northern Trail from Riyadh to Hail, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.

Part of the Saudi Winter program, the Northern Trail has natural and historical landmarks running across various regions of the country.

Al-Khatib began the trip in Thadiq governorate where he was briefed on sites including the tourist village of Ghamra.

He perused the village’s Najd-style mud buildings, ancient alleyways and mosques which are typical of the region’s historical sites.

The minister visited the geopark north of Riyadh to see the natural rock formations and valleys.

The park is a UNESCO-recognized Global Geopark and is run under the supervision of the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development.

From there, he continued north to the Qassim region, passing through rural farms and agricultural tourism destinations.

Al-Khatib visited the Al-Bustan shrine in the city of Buraidah, and the Cultural Heritage Center that is a major attraction for local and foreign visitors.

The minister ended his trip in Hail’s historical mountainous region.

One of his stops was Jabel Umm Sinman in Jubbah, a UNESCO World Heritage site featuring rock inscriptions dating back more than 10,000 years.

The itinerary included hiking trails in the Aja Mountains, desert adventure experiences, the Al-Didhan Reserve, and a stop at the home of pre-Islamic tribal leader and poet Hatim Al-Tai.

Other points of interest along the Northern Trail include the Sheikh Omar bin Muqrin Archaeological Palace in Shaqra, the heritage village in Ushaiqer, and the Al-Askar Palace in Al-Majmaah.

More details about the various sites along the Northern Trail can be found at visitsaudi.com.