Thought this city wasn’t built for walking? You’re completely and utterly wrong. We’ve hit the capital’s pavements hard, and discovered scenic strolls, intriguing backstreets and lush green parks. For those of you who want a good hard hike we’ve also ventured further afield to bring you the best places to trek in the wilderness just a few hours outside the city.
So what are you waiting for? Pull on those walking boots and hit the road.
Inner City walks
Salam Street
Distance: 4km there and back
Start point: Any one of the car parks on Salam Street, between 19th and 25th streets.
The walk: Walking alongside a motorway might not seem like the most tranquil idea, but when the noise of traffic on one side is contrasted by the serene mangrove swamps on the other, it’s still a trek worth undertaking. We’d advise starting your walk at around 19th Street or one of the numerous car parks along the road. Then just take a gentle amble along the walkway which sits alongside the main road. A good time to go is early morning, when you might be able to spot some of the exotic wildlife that lives in the mangrove swamps. Another bonus is that the walk’s totally flat so pretty much anyone of any fitness level can have a crack at it.
When to go: Any time of the day or evening is fine, although during rush hour the overpowering noise and fumes from motor vehicles might be a bit too much for you.
Highlight: It has to be the dolphin fountains at the park, located at the 19th Street junction. The steady hum of traffic doesn’t stop plenty of families from stopping here at the weekends to enjoy a picnic. So why not pack a blanket and a few snacks in a rucksack and join them in the shadow of the marine-themed figurines?
Lowlight: Once you reach 25th Street, you’ll come across the shell of a new hotel being built overlooking Salam Street. One day it might be a stunning, five-star stopover. But right now it’s a shabby building site.
Tourist Club Area backstreets
Distance: There are endless possibilities on this walk, so you can make it as long or as short as you like. You probably won’t need to walk more than 2km, though.
The walk: This walk is all about exploring the smaller lanes downtown, and getting lost in the maze of tiny Indian restaurants, shops selling dusty electronics and videos (yes, videos, remember them?), tailors and Arabic cafés. You can follow whatever route takes your fancy, but a good place to begin is at the corner of Hamdan Street and 10th Street in the Tourist Club Area. Walk west on Hamdan Street, stroll down past the shops on the high street and before you reach Najda Street take the plunge and turn left into the depths of the capital’s backstreets. It’s a little bit shabby and every aspect of this part of town seems to be about 20 years behind the rest of the city, but that’s definitely part of its charm.
When to go: Around dusk when the weather is cooler you’ll find these streets buzzing with activity, so take the chance to stroll past the shisha spots, poke your nose in any interesting-looking shops and stop for shawarma or Indian street food snacks if you get peckish. Make sure you avoid the kids playing cricket in the Hamdan Street underpass, though.
Highlight: Reward yourself with a strong Turkish coffee on the outdoor patio at Automatic Restaurant, a perfect spot for people-watching and soaking up the buzzing atmosphere.
Lowlight: Go at the weekend and you’ll spend most of your time squeezing through rows of badly parked cars.
Corniche
Distance: Around 5km from Sheraton Abu Dhabi to Hilton Abu Dhabi
The walk: Sometimes, you just want to pull on your favourite pair of hiking boots and set out on a good long trek, scrambling over rocks and rough terrain and pushing your body to the limits while getting a hefty dose of nature – and there are plenty of options out there for the hardcore among you. Fortunately, for those of you who believe that to be absolute madness, there’s always the Corniche.
If you want to feel the ocean breeze in your hair, but don’t want to stray too far from civilisation, then this is the walk for you. City dwellers can start at any point they please, and get some exercise as they admire the views. With Abu Dhabi’s jagged cityscape on one side and the breathtaking Gulf on the other, plus numerous small parks along the way, there’s something for everyone to enjoy, and the well-maintained pavement and dedicated paths for cyclists mean it’s even suitable for those with young children or pushchairs. When you’ve spent enough time drinking in the scenery, you can browse one of the many beach stands selling toys and sunglasses, or even head into the capital to do some shopping. There are also plenty of the usual snack stops selling drinks and ice cream to refresh you on the way. Or, should you feel the need for something more robust, try one of the restaurants at Hilton or Sheraton for a proper meal and a glass of something cooling.
When to go: Late afternoon, so you can watch the sunset.
Highlight: Undoubtedly the beach, where you can admire the breathtaking views, stroll along the golden sands or see city folk getting away from it all with a spot of capoeira or beach yoga, or even some jet skiing.
Lowlight: The public toilets. Impossibly disgusting – and that’s enough detail for anyone.
Khalifa Park
Distance: You can make the course as long or as short as you like, but 3km ought to take in everything you’d care to look at.
The walk: With its mounds of lush, green lawn, Khalifa Park is one of few spots in the city where you can forget you’re living in the middle of a stinking hot desert. In fact, there’s a good chance you’ll forget about civilisation altogether – the park’s remote location means you’ll usually have the place to yourself, even on a milder afternoon. It’s Dhs1 to get in – visit the small security booth to pick up your ticket near the main entrance gate by the Park Rotana hotel. Head up Grand Avenue (the path which splits the park down the middle) before veering right into the Islamic garden to admire some bright flower beds and a neat spot of topiary. Step back out into the circular courtyard and pull a U-turn. This side of the park offers the better scenery, featuring a hedged-off area of fountains and the Grand Mosque looming in the distance, so if you packed your camera, now’s the time to get snapping.
When to go: You’ll hardly be fighting off the crowds even at the weekend, but to guarantee your own private chunk of serenity, take a Thursday off work and start a long weekend with a leisurely picnic.
Highlight: Parking yourself on a bench at the halfway point, flipping open your current read and listening to the dragonflies whistle past your ears.
Lowlight: Whenever you visit, you’ll likely find that some areas of the park are under refurbishment, so prepare to be glared at by men in blue overalls.
Saadiyat to Yas Island
Distance: At 18km, this is, quite literally, no walk in the park. Dust off your sturdiest shoes – you’ll be needing them.
The walk: While thousands of people zip along the Khalifa highway every day, very few ever bother to take a look at what’s outside their window. And though a stroll along the side of a 10-lane highway may not sound like everyone’s idea of a fun time, there are plenty of sights out there worth getting blisters for. Start from Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, and look for a safe pedestrian path along the side of the road. The bridges from Saadiyat to Bisrat Fahd Island and back on to Yas Island are the main points of interest, with lush mangroves dotted on either side. Once on Yas Island, follow signs for Yas Links Golf Club – we’d recommend filling up at Hickory’s – its hearty grub is just the ticket for hungry hikers.
When to go: It may sound a tad on the suicidal side, but head out just before sunset and you’ll enjoy spectacular views of the city’s skyline silhouetted against a glowing orange sky. Of course, low light drastically increases your chances of ending up as road kill, so pack a fluorescent jacket.
Highlight: Spotting the gentle twinkling of The Yas Hotel on the horizon and realising that a well-deserved sit-down and a glass of something frosty are at most only an hour away.
Lowlight: With little more than sand on either side, the 3km stretch just before Yas Island isn’t much to shout about.
Further afield
Should you need to totally escape the concrete jungle, venture outside the city and stretch your hamstrings on one of these UAE walking routes.
Jebel Hafeet
Distance: 18km to the top and back.
How to get there: Take the E22 road to Al Ain and follow the brown tourist signs.
The walk: If you’ve ever visited Al Ain, you’ll know that only a blind man would fail to spot the giant mountain that looms over the city. A common misconception is that Jebel Hafeet is the largest mountain in the UAE. It isn’t, it’s actually only the third, but as it’s a free-standing peak it’s probably the most impressive. Most people choose to ascend the mount via the pathway that winds its way up to the top. But, for the more adventurous, there is also a pavement running alongside the road, which it is possible to walk up. Be careful, though, some drivers treat this road like a racetrack. So we’d advise wearing some high visibility clothing for your amble, so they don’t happen to swipe you as they zoom by.
Another word of warning, this isn’t a walk for the burger munching brigade. It’s steep climbing to ascend from sea level to the 1,240m peak. However, if you do need a snack to sustain you on the way up, there’s a café about halfway to the summit, where you can stop for a refreshing cool drink and a sandwich, while the Grand Mercure Hotel is a few kilometres beyond this, should you need something stronger to keep the spirits up.
When you get to the top, you’ll find a huge car park, which is surrounded by a high fence that actually prevents you from reaching the summit of the mount. This spot gets mighty busy as the day progresses, but, if you’re here early in the morning, you’re in for some stunning views over the city of Al Ain and the surrounding sandy expanse.
When to go: Trying this draining walk during the day could possibly mean a trip to the emergency room with a severe case of heat exhaustion. While at night, the cars that speed up and down the road are likely to take you out. Our advice is to start your climb just before sunset. Then you should arrive at the top just as the sun is rising in the sky, where your exertions will be met by the stunning sight of the sweeping panoramas just as light begins to stream in.
Highlight: Most definitely the view from the top.
Lowlight: The fact you’re not allowed on to the actual peak of the mount can be a bit anticlimactic after all that effort made to walk up there.
Wadi walking
Distance: About 6km. But with all the scrambling over rocks, it seems longer.
How to get there: Head to Dubai then get on the Emirates Road and keep straight following signs to Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah. Once you’re through Fujairah and heading towards Dibba, after about 5km you’ll see a left hand turn, which is signposted Wadi Wurrayah. Keep on this winding road for about 10km and you’ll eventually come to the wadi.
The walk: Let’s face it, with living in Abu Dhabi, your opportunities for a mind-liberating stroll through the countryside are few and far between. With that in mind, your best bet for a chance to connect with nature is to leave the city behind and head out towards the Oman border, where you’ll find numerous wadis – or rocky ravines – which are perfect for a ramble away from the headaches of modern life. One of the most popular for walking is Wadi Wurrayah in the mountains of Dibba. Unfortunately, the mouth of the wadi place has become a magnet for groups of lads to head up to in 4x4s, litter with food cartons and scrawl with graffiti. But once you’ve passed this spot and moved into the depths of the valley, you can escape the scars of human disregard. Scrambling up the riverbed, you’ll be surrounded by the cavernous walls, with the sounds of running water trickling all around you. It’s tough going for anyone who’s had one too many Friday brunches recently, but should you need cooling off there are plenty of sheltered, icy pools to jump into. We wouldn’t recommend trying this walk alone, as it gets tough going at times, so best to hire a guide. Local company Absolute Adventure (www.adventure.ae; 04 345 9900) organises regular trips into the depths of the wadi.
When to go: As the wadis are prone to flash flooding, going during the UAE’s rainy season (January and February) is not advisable, while in the blazing heat of summer, even with the cooling pools, you’re unlikely to enjoy the experience. Any other time of year is just perfect for a memorable ramble that will leave you with the inner peace that only walking in the countryside can achieve.
Highlight: When you finally make some distance between you and the noisy picnickers in their 4x4s and reach the heart of the wadi.
Lowlight: Unless you like the sight of graffiti, with such phrases as ‘Lucy loves Radneen’ scrawled on a rock face, then the fact that people choose to deface a natural beauty spot can be a bit depressing. Thankfully, the government is in the process of making it a WWF-monitored and protected area, which might stamp out this kind of behaviour for good.
Hatta Pools
Distance: 2km-3km
How to get there: From the Dubai-Hatta highway, take Mahdah 64 and turn left on to a gravel track at the Sumaini signpost. Follow the track and you’ll reach the mountains.
The walk: This escape is popular with city-weary Abu Dhabians – it’s just over three hours’ drive from the capital before you reach mountain air, rock pools and plenty of opportunities for climbing and hiking. Tour companies such as Arabian Adventures (04 303 4888) offer day trips, taking groups through Wadi Sumeina, stopping for a dip at the rock pools of Wadi Shuwayyon and tackling the rougher ground of Wadi Ray. The Wadi Khamees track winds around Hatta town, so you can catch a glimpse of small rock pools and a traditional falaj irrigation system. Or you can drive to the site yourself and take your pick of the many well-trodden paths.
When to go: Lots of people stay overnight in Hatta Fort Hotel (04 809 9333; www.jebelali-international.com), or camp in the area, which is ideal if you want to catch Hatta at its best time – the very early morning when it’s cool, misty and fresh. This is a popular retreat in the summer months as its cooler here than in the urban areas of the UAE.
Highlight: While you’re in the area, stop into the Heritage Village, which is one of the oldest settlements in the UAE. There are restored buildings to explore, including a weaponry tower and a replica of the Governor’s majlis, as well as some interesting and informative exhibitions.
Lowlight: Since so many people come here for a weekend picnic, the area around the Hatta pools is often littered with leftover rubbish, which really spoils the surroundings.
Moreeb Dune
Distance: A flexible route, but if you make it more than 1km, you’re braver explorers than us.
How to get there: Head out of town westwards on the E11. Take the exit for Madinat Zayed, head another 150 or so kilometres down the road and you’ll get to Liwa Oasis. The massive dune isn’t hard
to spot.
The walk: Wrap a towel around your head and prepare to sweat. Prepare to sweat a lot. This one’s a trek of truly epic proportions, starring you, 65 billion tons of hot, deadly sand and very little else. And, just to make things even trickier, there’s a mountain in your path. Well, technically it’s a dune. Moreeb dune, to be precise – believed to be the tallest in the country and nicknamed, with terrifying simplicity, ’scary mountain’. Pull up at the small car park at the base, take a deep breath and get climbing. It’s a punishing ordeal but the reward – spectacular views over the foreboding vastness of the Empty Quarter – is thoroughly worth it. From here, head right, along the crest of the dune, which carries on for about 1.6km.
When to go: Venture out in the middle of the day and, quite frankly, we’d be surprised if you ever came back. A cool winter’s evening not only ups your chances of survival significantly, but also affords the opportunity for both sunset photography and a spot of dreamy stargazing, which, as you make your way back down and collapse onto your back next to your car is pretty much all you’ll want to do.
Highlight: Reaching the top of Moreeb, just as the sun starts to dip behind the horizon. A scene so beautiful you’ll almost forget about the excruciating, burning pain in your calves. Almost.
Lowlight: The next morning. Unless you go pounding up huge lumps of sand on a regular basis, you’ll pretty much feel like you’ve been run over. You can look forward to tipping sand out of your shoes for weeks on end, too.
Distance: 1.5km, think a sightseeing stroll rather than a hardcore hike.
Bur Dubai Creek
How to get there: Drive or take a taxi to Dubai, then head for Dubai Creek, getting out on the road between the Saudi Arabian Embassy and Bastakiya.
The walk: Don’t believe anyone who says there isn’t culture to be found in Dubai – this beautiful walk takes in the old part of the city that most visitors miss out on. Begin your walk in the early afternoon at Za’abeel Road, at the point where it curves around and joins the bottom of Mankhool Road. The view over the creek sees huge office buildings contrast sharply with dinky tourist boats and dhow restaurants. Keep going and you’ll hit Bastakiya, the small, wind tower-strewn chunk of old-school Dubai that houses art galleries, as well as the lovely Basta Art Café. Stop off for some juice and continue onwards, with the gallery on your right; you’ll soon come to Dubai Museum. Turn right and follow the road down, towards the massive Grand Mosque; before the mosque, take the tiny passage to the right of the building and you’ll notice a shoe rack and sign for the Shiva temple. Head left around the back of the mosque and you’ll soon find yourself on Hindi Lane, the narrow, bustling road full of tiny trading stores. Follow the road through and you’ll emerge into a series of souks, as well as the abra docks to Deira.
When to go: If you want peace and quiet for this walk, its best to go on a weekday, or when the tourist season is low. During the day you’ll be able to check out fascinating trading going on at the Creek.
Highlight: When you reach the docks, you can hop on a water-taxi for just Dhs1 and spend 10 minutes enjoying the view from the water.
Lowlight: With the glare of the water and heat from the concrete it can get blisteringly hot here if you go at the wrong time of year.
