Jabal Barakah, also known as Buraika, is the highest mountain in the Hadramaut Mountains of Yemen. It rises to 2,225 m in Hadramaut Governorate, within the wider chain of the Sarawat Mountains on the Arabian Peninsula in Asia.
By elevation it is the highest of the 124 named peaks in the Hadramaut Mountains. The summit area is part of the range’s highest ground, which is listed as an unnamed area rather than a named peak. In this part of Yemen, Jabal Barakah is a major reference point for the surrounding ridges and peaks.
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Jabal Barakah lies in the Hadramaut Mountains, part of the Sarawat Mountains of Western Asia and the Arabian Peninsula. It is in Yemen, in Hadramaut Governorate. The mountain rises above a dry upland landscape of ridges, broken slopes and intervening valleys, typical of this part of eastern Yemen. At 2,225 m, it is the highest of the 124 named peaks in the range and a clear high point in the local terrain.
Nearby summits and passes show how Jabal Barakah sits above a cluster of lower peaks and hills:
These neighbours are all lower than Jabal Barakah, so the mountain dominates its immediate area. The closest listed feature is Jabal Luḩj al Baḩth, while the highest of the nearby peaks is Jabal Yuwan, still 520 m below Barakah.
Within 25 km, the highest peaks are spread around the mountain in several directions. To the north-east lie Jabal al Jawf at 1,789 m, 15.5 km away, Jabal as Sikkītah at 1,695 m, 22.3 km away, and Jabal Khulkhūt at 1,492 m, 23.6 km away. To the north-west is Jabal Qulaylah at 1,588 m, 17.3 km away, while Jabal Makāb at 1,445 m lies 18.7 km west.
Other visible high points in the wider circle include Jabal ‘Asqūn at 1,274 m, 16.4 km north-east. Because Jabal Barakah is the highest summit in this part of the range, the view from the top is likely to be outward across a ring of lower ridges and peaks rather than toward any higher neighbour nearby.
Jabal Barakah belongs to the Hadramaut Mountains, the narrowest part of the chain hierarchy that runs from Western Asia through the Arabian Peninsula and the Sarawat Mountains. The range’s highest point is listed as an unnamed area of the Hadramaut Mountains, not a named summit. Jabal Barakah is the highest of the 124 named peaks in the range, so it is the main named high point for visitors and map readers.
The range is entirely within Yemen. In practical terms, Jabal Barakah is one of the clearest reference summits for the Hadramaut Mountains because it combines the highest named elevation with a central place in the local ridge system.
Climate estimates from NASA POWER for 2001–2020 suggest a summit temperature pattern that is mild by mountain standards: the warmest month is June, at about 22 °C, and the coldest is January, at about 12 °C. All months remain above freezing at the summit. The surrounding area is extremely dry, with precipitation of about 0 mm a year; both the wettest and driest month are listed as January at about 0 mm.
In this part of Yemen, the main weather concerns are heat, strong sun, dry air and poor water availability rather than snow or rain. Even at elevation, dehydration and exposure can be more important than cold, especially on open ridges and during the warmer part of the year.
Because the summit stays above freezing in every month, the choice of season is driven more by heat and dryness than by winter snow. The cooler months are generally more comfortable for walking, while the warmest period is around June, when summit temperatures are about 22 °C. In a very dry mountain area like this, clear weather can make travel easier, but it also increases sun exposure and the need to carry enough water.
For a day outing, plan for long stretches without shade and for dry ground underfoot. Early starts are usually sensible in hot regions, and the best window is often the part of the year when temperatures are lower and the air is less tiring to move in.
The Hadramaut Mountains are a dry upland environment, so the slopes around Jabal Barakah are likely to carry sparse vegetation rather than dense forest. Rock, gravel, hardy shrubs and seasonal grasses are the usual mountain cover in this kind of terrain. Wildlife in such arid highlands is often adapted to heat and limited water, with birds, small mammals and reptiles more common than large animals.
At this elevation, the landscape is shaped more by exposed stone and erosion than by snow or permanent moisture. After rare rain, short-lived plant growth may appear in sheltered places, but the overall character remains dry and open.
For a mountain like Jabal Barakah, a certified guide is sensible if you are not familiar with remote, dry terrain, route-finding on ridges, or travel in Yemen. In Yemen, visitors usually look for local mountain guides through the national tourism network and established guiding contacts in the country; where formal certification is available, IFMGA/UIAGM qualification is the standard to ask for. A guided ascent typically covers route planning, transport, pacing, and safety decisions, and the cost usually depends on the number of days, group size, and whether equipment or overnight support is needed.
Because this is a remote mountain area, it is wise to confirm current access conditions locally before setting out and to arrange support with people who know the region well.
Jabal Barakah is not a technical high mountain, but the combination of elevation, dry climate and remote terrain still calls for careful preparation. Carry enough water, sun protection, food and a means of navigation, and expect rough ground and long distances between help and supplies. In hot, dry mountains, the main risks are dehydration, heat stress, getting lost on similar-looking slopes, and delayed assistance if something goes wrong.
For mountain rescue in Yemen, the emergency number is 191 for ambulance and 194 for police. Mobile coverage can be unreliable in broken terrain, so it is sensible to share your plan before leaving and to download maps in advance.
Jabal Barakah is the highest of the 124 named peaks in the Hadramaut Mountains. Its elevation of 2,225 m makes it the main named summit in the range, even though the range’s highest point is an unnamed area. The nearest listed peak is Jabal Luḩj al Baḩth, 4.7 km to the north, and the highest peak within 25 km is Jabal al Jawf, 15.5 km to the north-east.
The mountain is also known by the alternative name Buraika. In a region of dry ridges and scattered high points, that combination of height and isolation gives it a clear topographic role.
How high is Jabal Barakah? It rises to 2,225 m.
Where is Jabal Barakah located? It is in Hadramaut Governorate in Yemen, within the Hadramaut Mountains of the Sarawat Mountains on the Arabian Peninsula.
Is Jabal Barakah the highest mountain in its range? It is the highest of the 124 named peaks in the Hadramaut Mountains, but the range’s highest point is an unnamed area.
What are the nearest peaks to Jabal Barakah? The closest listed feature is Jabal Luḩj al Baḩth, 4.7 km north. Other nearby peaks include Jabal Juwaysh, Jabal ad Da‘līyah and Jabal Yuwan.
Is there water on the way to Jabal Barakah? The area is very dry, so plan to carry your own water. For a day outing, 1.5-3 litres per person is a sensible range, more in hot weather or on a longer route.
How long does it take to climb Jabal Barakah? The best estimate depends on your starting point and the path you choose. In this terrain, the real walk may be longer than a simple distance-and-height estimate.
Will my phone work on Jabal Barakah? Coverage in the hills is likely to be patchy and depends on the operator. On open ground a signal may be possible, but it often fails in valleys and behind ridges. Always download maps before you go, and remember that 112 reaches emergency services over any available network.
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