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Na’man Valley

Nature's Conduit Between Al-Hada and Makkah

Makkah

Na’man Valley is considered one of the major valleys in the western Kingdom; its upper courses originate from the Al-Sarawat Mountains and pass through the Al-Hada region on their way towards Makkah Al-Mukarramah. It is fed by several important sub-valleys, and the sedimentary formations at its terminus show geological evidence suggesting a common origin with Fatima Valley.

Na’man Valley is located in the western region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Its upper courses begin on the western slope of the Al-Sarawat and Hijaz mountains, specifically in the area situated between the south of Jabal Habla and the Al-Hada region, at an altitude exceeding 2,300 meters above sea level. From this point, the watershed divide is formed between it and the upper tributaries of the Al-Yamaniyyah – Fatima Valley, represented by the valleys of Al-Sharqah, Muharram, and Al-Ghudairayn.

The valley is nourished by several main tributaries: from the right side, the valleys of Ya'raj, Bani Hasan, and 'Urnah flow into it; and from the left side, the valleys of Majarish, 'Ar'ar, and Rahjan, in addition to other minor tributaries, most notably the Valley of Ibrahim Al-Khalil, around which the city of Makkah Al-Mukarramah was founded.

The valley continues its course down towards the coastal plain where its flow pattern changes depending on the intensity of the torrents; it may vanish before reaching the sea or continue to the estuary in rainy seasons. The total length of Na’man Valley is about 161 kilometers.

Geological studies show that Na’man Valley was originally part of a single water network with Fatima Valley, before the latter's course changed and turned north. The deltaic deposits of Na’man Valley are evidence of this common origin, as they contain rocks of the Fatima Formation which appear only in the lower basin of the valley.