The Al Hada Road climbs the western escarpment from the Hejaz lowlands up to Ta'if's plateau through a series of dramatic switchbacks. The view back across the desert from the upper sections, particularly at sunrise or sunset, is one of the best in the western Hejaz. The road is well-engineered and the surface excellent, but it has a high accident rate — Saudi drivers tend to attack it at speed.
At the top, near the village of Al Hada, the Telefric cable car descends to the desert floor below, giving you the same views without the driving. The hotels along the upper section have been Ta'if's premier weekend retreats for decades.