The remote and isolated road to Jabal Shaharah
Jabal Shaharah is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,525m (8,284ft) above sea level, located in the Shaharah District of the Amran Governorate in Yemen.
Why is Shaharah famous?
At the summit, there’s a fortified mountain village called Shaharah (also known as Shihara or Shehara). It’s one of the most remote and isolated villages on the Arabian Peninsula. Shaharah is still a medieval village, consisting of several old stone houses and a cistern. The area is noted for its limestone arch bridge, constructed in the 17th century by a local lord to connect two villages across a deep gorge. It has been known for being unreachable for so many years. It’s the highest village in Yemen.
Is the road to Shaharah paved?
The road to the summit was paved in 2014, but it’s very narrow and steep. Starting from Haboor, the road is 29.4 km (18.26 miles) long.
Can I drive to Shaharah?
Unfortunately, the village is located in Northern Yemen, where the Shia Insurgency turned the region into a de facto war zone. For this reason, foreigners are currently discouraged from visiting the area. While the village itself is considered safe, the roads leading into this region are not. The U.S. Department of State warns U.S. citizens against all travel to Yemen because of the high security threat level in Yemen posed by the ongoing conflict and terrorist activities. Avoid all travel to Yemen due to ongoing armed conflict, terrorist attacks, and kidnappings. Despite truce agreements, the security situation remains highly unstable due to the civil war that started in 2014. Armed groups are particularly active in the south. The humanitarian situation is dire, with millions displaced and essential services such as food, water, medical supplies, and power distribution severely disrupted. Hospitals and other critical infrastructure are heavily damaged, and there is a fuel shortage.
Pic: https://www.flickr.com/photos/km45/3308555056/