Page 98 - A Hand Book of Arabia Vol 2_Neat

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WESTERN ROUTES (Nos. 17-39) 51

(vi) Routes in South Ilejuz
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Two routes are described schematically which start from. Jiddah.
Of these, Route No. 36 to N. Yemen (from Jiddah to Hodeidah) is
vcrv ill-known, and has been traversed by no European ; a con­
siderable portion of the first part of it, as far as Qunfudah, was
traversed by the Sherif’s forces in 1911. It is not much in use,
owing to the heat and barrenness of the tracts through which
it passes and the predatory uncontrolled character of the North
Asir tribes. At present it is cut by Idrisi, who controls it in
the Abu ‘Arish district. It lies wholly in the coastal plain known as
the Tihamah and runs mostly along the shore, following the tele­
graph line as far as Loheia. (From that point the telegraph con­
tinues to keep near the coast, while the route turns inland.) The
track lies over sand, and is suitable for camels only ; the going is
very heavy in places, but there are no other physical difficulties.
The section from Loheia to Hodeidah is constantly used by Turkish
troops and convoys ; it is an easy route, across open desert country
for most of the way.
Supplies. Water is apparently limited over a great part of the
route ; except for the meagre details given for a few of the stages,
no information is available ; between Loheia and Hodeidah the
supply is reported to be sufficient and good. Fodder and other
supplies would be very limited, even for a small caravan. Meat can
be obtained at Jiddah, and, by waiting a few days, at Qunfudah.

Route No. 37, on the other hand, which runs from Jiddah to *
Mecca, is the most travelled track in Arabia, protected by block­
houses at intervals, and well supplied with halt-stations. The first
few miles are over sandy plain, after which the track passes through
a range of low hills to the plain of Bahrah. Thence it leads over
'lusty undulating country to the main range of West Arabia, in
a foothill valley of which, running NE. into the range, lies the
Holy City at a mean altitude of not more than 700 ft. A carriage
c°uld pass with difficulty over this track, and continue by the
more northerly (Seil) route to Ta'if (64 miles as the crow flies, but
''.1 over 100 by this route ; see Route No. 3S, alternative) ; but
>s not the practice to use carriages on the Jiddah road, although
'l.'ins have often been wheeled over it. Mecca donkeys are the best
K lnS animals for this road (see above, p. 16). The road is un­
called and not embanked, but it has been worn to a very fair
's ‘Hace, and is not interrupted by any natural obstacles.

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