A 62-year-old British adventurer from Edinburgh has made history by becoming the first person to walk the entire length of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from its northern to its southern border entirely on foot.
A Monumental 112-Day Journey
Alice Morrison, a seasoned explorer, author, and TV presenter, concluded her world-first expedition at 10:30am Saudi time on Monday, 15 December 2025. Her epic trek finished in Najran, a city on the sensitive Saudi-Yemen border.
The journey was a monumental undertaking, covering a staggering 2,195 kilometres over the course of 112 days. To manage the extreme desert heat and the observance of Ramadan, Morrison wisely split the walk across two winter seasons, beginning the first leg on 1 January 2025.
Accompanied by her two camels, named Juicy and Lulu, and supported by a small, dedicated team, Morrison maintained a relentless pace. She walked the equivalent of a half-marathon every single day, traversing six distinct provinces: Tabuk, Medina, Mecca, Al Baha, Aseer, and finally Najran.
Physical Trials and Human Revelations
The expedition presented severe physical challenges. Temperatures frequently soared above 39°C, forcing early morning starts. During the initial phase, Morrison developed such severe blisters that they bled into her shoes. Even her camel, Lulu, was not spared, developing foot sores that prompted the resourceful explorer to fashion a protective shoe for her.
Yet, Morrison insists the journey profoundly changed her perspective. "This expedition has exceeded my expectations in every way," she said. "I've been challenged mentally and physically and had my preconceptions of Saudi shattered."
She highlighted the extraordinary hospitality of the local people and a surprising cultural shift. "One of the revelations has been the women I've met who are instigating a quiet cultural revolution," Morrison shared, describing a country full of wild landscapes and undiscovered history.
The Team That Made History
Morrison credited her diverse support team and her camels for the success of the gruelling trek. "The journey's been tough at times and then it is the team that keeps you going," she explained. "From Saudi, Scotland, Sudan, Yemen and Ireland, we've pulled through with humour and determination. Our two camels have helped too – endless entertainment as they search out snacks wherever they can."
For Morrison, the walk was as much a personal meditation as an exploration. "Walking every step north to south has been a personal challenge. The goal forced me to keep going when I was exhausted or in pain or just fed up," she reflected. "Walking is a way to see and feel every detail of the path you travel."
As an author of four travel books, Morrison will now channel this unprecedented experience into a new literary work and a documentary film, ensuring the story of her groundbreaking traverse reaches a global audience.
