Fancy yourself a king (or queen) of the mountain?
Step up your walking game with these wild and wonderful hikes.
You may need to car just to reach the starting line, but these are some of the best trails to hit out of Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Hatta
Loved by: Explorers
Totalling 17 routes of varying difficulty, Hatta in Dubai’s largest national park is more than accommodating to visiting hikers. Flanked by the Hajar Mountains, Hatta is covered in peaks and troughs that make for perfect stomping grounds. Winding wadis close to the Omani border proffer sandy flats and sharp rocks in equal measure. With such a wealth of trails to conquer, there is a sense of peace and adventure around every corner.
Remember: There’s plenty on offer at Hatta, so much so that it couldn’t possibly all be ticked off in one day. Mark the calendar for a series of excursions.
Top tip: Bring man’s best friend along for the ride. They’ll jump at the chance to dive into the water, plus there’s nothing better than a bit of company while out and about.
Jebel Hafeet
Loved by: Mountaineers
Al Ain may be known as the Garden City, but it’s the rugged good looks of the nearby Jebel Hafeet mountain range we are interested in. It will take four hours to move from base-camp to more suitable vantage points, where hikers can gaze out over the vast open desert, as well as Al Ain below. One for the more advanced hikers, don’t forget to wear in those walking shoes before taking the first steps – lest you incur some serious blisters.
Pit stop: The best views are at the top, but you’ll need serious stamina to reach the summit.
Top tip: A walk is a fine excuse to catch up on podcast listening. Load them up on your phone before leaving home.
Jebel Jais
Loved by: Extreme trekkers
The UAE’s highest peak is a trekker’s delight. With massive draws in the shape of The Balcony, Wadi Al Far and Wadi Shah, the tricky terrain is something to marvel at. That said, some elements pose a daunting proposition, so do your research before setting off. Otherwise you’ll be in for a brutal test of your hiking ability. The lower segment trails – of which there are five – range from 0.7km to 6km, while the Ghaf Summit gauntlet in the upper tier of the range totals 4.3km of testing ground. Pick your lane.
Pit stop: The Balcony, Wadi Al Far and Wadi Shah are all suitable spots to catch a breather – you’ll need it.
Top tip: Enjoy the view. There are plenty of stunning vistas to soak in while you’re soaking in sweat.
Jebel Jais, Ras Al Khaimah.
Showka Dam
Loved by: Hikers (obviously)
This is an ideal destination for those who prefer to take a road less travelled. It might be another trip over the border into Ras Al Khaimah, but it’s only around an hour in the car from Dubai and most importantly has routes that cater to most abilities. You’ll need a decent pair of legs to scale the man made staircase cut into the first range of mountains, but once at the top there’s a choice of slaloming loops (up to 10km) back to base-camp (the car park in
this case). The views are ace and the air up there fills your lungs differently – trust us. There’s a small food vendor where you leave the car, but bring plenty of water and snacks so you don’t start thinking about James Franco in 127 Hours.
Pit stop: There are plenty of shaded viewing platforms to take a break in – which we strongly recommend if traversing the rugged terrain for the first time.
Top tip: If you don’t have a head for heights, don’t look down when ascending the stairs to the summit. You’ve been warned.
Wadi Showka, Ras Al Khaimah.
Stairway to Heaven
Loved by: Led Zep fans
At 17km from start to finish, the Stairway to Heaven trail at Wadi Ghalilah is one for seasoned hikers only. At its highest point it takes adventurers 1.5 clicks above sea level, meaning it won’t just be the views that leave conquerors breathless. Comfortable shoes are a must, as this one is going to hurt.
Pit stop: It’s only fitting to stop at the summit of any climb to savour the views. A top picnic spot in every sense.
Top tip: Make sure those Bluetooth headphones are full of juice, otherwise it’s a long and silent tour of the Ras Al Khaimah landscape for you.
Wadi Ghalilah, Ras Al Khaimah.
