Qala’at Saladin

Trying to attack this castle, 1000 years ago, must have been nigh-on impossible. The high castle walls sit on top of steep, forested rocks & cliffs of a hill which rises up from a deep valley.

T.E. Lawrence was right to say that it was “one of the most sensational things in castle building” that he had seen.

It’s not easy walking from Al Haffa, six kilometres away from the site. Not because of the path which climbs from the town, then descends into the valley, before climbing back up to the hilltop. Rather it is the taxi-drivers here who don’t understand the notion of wanting to walk it; a beep coming from their horns every time one drives past. Standing on the other side of the valley from the castle, though, offers an amazing view, well worth the sweaty trek.

Once up in the castle ruins, few habitations are in sight, and there are 360° views of the lush forests. What I’d do to have a mountain bike here…