The UAE is a place which stretches beyond the eyes’ wonder – it literally is a country which has it all…white sands, crystal clear waters, sky lining towers, desert dunes, magnificent sunsets, a buzzing, cosmopolitan night life and rocky wadi's with mountainous views. Located in the northern Emirates are some of the best hiking trails the Middle East has to offer, and I’ve got some of the easiest routes listed below which are pooch-friendly, easy on the knees and heart and equally gives you incomparable, insta-envy views, once at the summit.
Wadi Shawqa
First up we have Wadi Shawqa – located in Ras Al Khaimah. You have two options with this route; either climbing the staircase to the top, overlooking the dam or going off the beaten track. Both routes have a steady incline and have plenty of rest areas along the rocky terrain where you can sit, catch your breath and soak up some incredible views.
Fossil Rock
Fossil Rock has an easy incline, but is somewhat different, as you are essentially climbing sand dunes to get to the summit. Once you have filled up your boots with sand; you will then face the steepest part and rocky terrain. This is a great and different style route, by hiking on sand and also great to meet new people, as this area is home to dune-bashing, off-road drivers and the Jeep club. Many drivers and hikers like to meet up and share picnics on their routes.
Khor Fakkan
Khor Fakkan – centering on Khor Fakkan Bay, which is home to a deep sea port; you can head for a stroll amongst the beautiful Hajar Mountain range. Archaeological sites include ancient graves and a Portuguese fort. But it’s Wadi Wurayah you really want to head to if you’re after stunning shots of waterfalls and natural pool views.
Hatta
Hatta (the Hollywood of the Middle East)…ish….simply due to the obnoxious signage. But aside from that, Hatta Dam and mountains is a great place which is loved by explorers. There are a total of 17 routes of difficulty, which also stretch amongst the Hajar Mountain range, with many wild wadi's bordering Oman. The range is predominantly rocky, but also has many sandy flats. Remember there is plenty on offer around Hatta, where you can even get out on the water by hiring a kayak. There’s many great post-hike picnic spots and even better places to take man’s best friend…
Hafeet Mountains
Al Ain may be dubbed as the Garden City, but there’s also a great hiking trail in the Hafeet Mountains. This is one of the more harder hiking trails, as it can take approximately 4 hours to move from the base camp to higher gazing points.
Jebel Jais
Jebel Jais is not only the highest point in the UAE, but also great for beginner trekkers. There are many wadis and terrains to marvel at and the main journey is vehicle friendly – where hikers can easily dump their car in one of their many car parks and go off on a wee adventure from there. Wadi Shah and Wadi Al Far are great for beginners. There are also five lower segment trails which stretch across 6km. If you fancy a pit stop, then jump in your car and head to the summit, where you can dine at the delectable and picturesque 1484 by Puro – the highest restaurant in the UAE; 1000km above sea level. It is also in this same area, where more adventurous folk can take an excursion with Toroverde; the zip-lining fanatics of the desert AKA the longest and one of the fastest zip line courses in the entire world – something I would highly recommend!
Stairway to Heaven
Stairway to Heaven. It’s perfect for Led Zeppelin fans and hardcore hikers. I haven’t tried this route yet personally, as the rocky terrain and steep incline can be tricky – plus its 17km long from start to finish, so requires a super early start and long day out. It’s highest point is 1.5kn above sea level and you’re guaranteed some epic views. There’s not really any suitable pit stops along the way, so you will need to power on through until you reach the summit.
Wadi Monay
Wadi Monay in Ras Al Khaimah is perfect for beginners and consists of a 1.5km hiking route; lasting approx. 3 hours (there and back). As there’s many archaeological remnants and plantation along the way; the steady terrain makes it great for kiddos and doggos combined.
Wadi Khutwa
Some of the regions more adventurous hikes, lie on the Al Ain/Oman border and Wadi Khutwa in Buraimi certainly doesn’t disappoint. The trek here includes large bodies of water, date farms, rocky pathways and palms. Water levels highly depend on how the rain levels were that year, but rumor has it, you can easily jump from the canyons into the pools – a much easier descend than the schlep back down. You will see plenty of local wildlife along the way, from fish, frogs, deer and even camels.
The Hidden Oasis
The Hidden Oasis is somewhat of an unkept secret and has been described as one of the most breathtaking hikes in the UAE – and it seriously looks like a scene out of Lost or Jurassic Park; where the mountain line kisses the greenery and outdoor palms. This area might look majestic, but experts highly recommend a guide, as the route is extremely difficult to navigate around. The hike will be a daytrip in itself, with the route lasting approximately 15km. The area is home to many villagers, so trekkers are asked to be respectful to local life and vegetation.
And there you have it - my recommended list. There are many other hidden gems around each of the Emirates, and I'm sure we will sniff them out soon enough. If you have any recommendation of trails that you've completed; I would love to hear from you - sharing is caring! Stay safe, stay happy, stay adventurous and keep on discovering!
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