Al-Gara Mountain in Hofuf in the Eastern Province is currently undergoing renovations to attract more tourists from various parts of the Kingdom and neighboring GCC countries.

“Al-Gara Mountain is considered to be one of the most important natural landmarks in Al-Ahsa and has become one of the most visited natural sites in the region,” the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) said in an announcement.

Despite the ongoing development, Al-Gara Mountain is open to the public and entry is absolutely free.

Riyadh-based Cenon “Nonie” C. Sagadal, Jr. a Telemoney representative who was assigned in Hofuf for six years, said the layers of the sedimentary rocks of Al-Gara Mountain could be seen with the naked eye.

Talking about Al-Gara Mountain as a unique tourist attraction, Sagadal said, “The mountain is famous for its caves as well as alleys between the rocks. The caves are known to be hot during winter and cold during summer.”

In order to prove his claim, he asked this reporter to go inside the mountain last Sunday on a very hot afternoon. He was right. It was delightfully cool inside. He added that the mountain is also known as “Mystery Mountain” among Saudis.

“This is because when you see the mountain from outside you wonder how you will climb it to reach the top. But the interesting thing is that you can actually reach the top through the rock formations between the caves inside the mountain,” he said.

He added that although among the Filipinos the site is known as Judah’s Cave, it is formally called Al-Gara Mountain because of its location at the village of Al-Gara.

The rocks of the mountain are unique in that they seem to have been carved into different shapes and heights by an accomplished sculptor. Despite the great difference in the rock formations, the rocks seem to have some sort of harmony.

It’s for this reason the Al-Gara Mountain has attracted legions of visitors from various parts of the Kingdom and neighboring countries such as the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

“I have heard so much about Al-Gara Mountain. That’s why my family and I have come for a visit today,” Nasser Al-Awadh, a Saudi national from Dammam told Arab News.

He expressed amazement at the “intricate rock formation” at the entrance to the caves.

“The whole structure inside, if I can describe it as such, is uniquely designed, and created, as it were, by man. This is why it’s amazing because it was not man-made,” he said.

A visitor from the UAE who requested anonymity added, “My family and I traveled all the way from Dubai just to see the Al-Gara Mountain. My friends who have come here before have praised it highly.”

He added that the trip was both recreational and educational for his family.

“As a family, traveling this far, eating together in roadside restaurants and watching this phenomenal mountain is recreational. It’s also one way of family bonding. But it is also educational because I want my kids to have a glimpse of the remote past when the sediments were deposited in this site which have become the Al-Gara Mountain,” he said.

He added that he will definitely come back with his family to visit the mountain when he gets the chance.

When the renovation work is complete, visitors will be able to stay for longer hours. Lamp posts have already been installed brightening up the site and its environs at night. Work is also underway to improve visitors’ mobility near the mountain’s entrance.

Eduardo Rodriguez, a spare parts manager at the Arab Equipment Est. in Alkhobar where he has been working for the last 30 years also expressed admiration for Al-Gara Mountain.

“I have visited it several times. It’s indeed unique but it’s unfortunate that some visitors leave their trash behind instead of putting it in a plastic bag and disposing of it properly,” he said.

Commercial and office buildings have been constructed on an elevated area off the road in close proximity to the entrance to the site. The buildings are in their final stages and only need finishing touches to complete them.

As an endnote, accessing Al-Gara Mountain is not easy for those who are not familiar with the place. However, it can be reached through both the Al-Mansoura district and the Al-Gara Village.