Medina (Madinah) is the second most holy city in the Islamic world. Anciently known as Yathrib, the city was renamed Medina by the Prophet Mohammad after he and his followers were welcomed following their flight from Mecca – an event known as the ‘Hijrah’. Pilgrims recreate this journey every year as part of the Hajj. Non-Muslims are not permitted to enter Medina’s central ‘Haram’ area where the main places of pilgrimage are located; but can visit the early battlefield of Jabal Uhud, view the outside of the Quba Mosque whose foundation stones were laid down by the prophet, and explore the Railway Museum. For Muslims, Medina is rich in religious sites, but in terms of significance, none can equal the Masjid al-Nawabi (The Prophet’s Mosque) where the tombs of the prophet, as well as his daughter Fatima, and the first caliph Abu Bakr are to be found. On leaving Medina to the north, visitors generally take one of three roads. The first of these is an extremely scenic mountain drive down to the Red Sea coast and Umluj (see separate description). T.E Lawrence fans and railway enthusiasts will find it hard to resist following the original route of the long defunct Hijaz Railway towards Al Ula (see separate description). At Al Buwayr, Hadiyah, and Al Mudarraj rusting vintage trains and rolling stock lie abandoned in the desert. A third option is to travel via the lava fields of the Harrat Khaybar – one of Saudi Arabia’s great natural wonders. This fabulous volcanic lunar landscape extends over some 14,000 square kilometres is complete with scoria, cones, lava domes, maars, and basalt lava flows. The white coloured volcanoes of Jabal Abiyadh and Jabal Baydah along with the nearby black cone of Jabal Qidr make an amazing spectacle. Walkers can follow a path to where the creamy lava from Jabal Baydah merges with the dark flows of Jabal Qidr.