Great Short Trips
Head to the mountains
Travel time: Two hours 15 minutes.
Ras Al Khaimah has many mountains worth visiting, but we suggest hitting the road and visiting the town of Shawka. For those of you with 4x4s there are lots of off-road trails and wadis to explore. Mountain biking is also popular at this spot and it’s worth heading here to see one of the UAE’s dams as well. There are a few in the country (which might be surprising since we live in a desert) and one is the spectacular-looking Al Shawka.
Directions: Take the E20 out of Abu Dhabi and then take the E66 at Al Haiyir, followed by a turn onto the E60, then the E55, then turn right when you reach the Sharjah-Kalba Road. Turn left at the first major crossroads.
Where to stay: You could stay in nearby Sharjah, which is an hour’s drive away. Centro Sharjah is a stylish place to make your base.
www.rotana.com (06 508 8000).
Meet local wildlife
Travel time: Two hours.
Love animals? Head to Al Maha. On the way you’ll spot plenty of greenery, plus date and camel farms, and it’s likely you’ll need to stop to let the odd camel stroll across the road. The varied wildlife will keep you and your passengers amused for the journey.
Directions: Drive on the E11 through Dubai, past Arabian Ranches and turning right on the E66 at Dubai Silicon Oasis. Al Maha is about 45 minutes outside the city on the E66 (it’s well signposted), but if you want to take a more scenic route, try taking exit 47 off the E66 towards the village of Maugham. Continue through the village, turn right onto the E44, then turn right again onto the E55 (which becomes the E60 after the village of Shwaib). When you hit the E66 again, turn right and follow the road back towards Dubai until you see a slip road to Al Maha, just before the village of Murqquab.
Where to stay: The Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa. Each of the suites at Al Maha has a pool, and all are equipped with binoculars to watch the wildlife.
www.al-maha.com (04 832 9900).
Drive to tranquillity
Travel time: Two hours 20 minutes.
The journey through Dubai and Sharjah to Ras Al Khaimah can be a busy one, so why not reward yourself with a stay at a place which offers you your own pool villa and where you can watch free-roaming gazelles and Arabian oryx nearby? You can also give falconry a go on the deck, or simply unwind at the Moon Bar roof terrace and gaze at the stars.
Directions: Take the E11 towards Dubai, then head onto the E311. Easy.
Where to stay: As this road trip is designed to take you to one place only, we of course, are suggesting you might want to stay at the Banyan Tree Ras Al Khaimah Beach.
www.banyantree.com (07 206 7777).
Stroll along Ajman’s Corniche
Travel time: Two hours.
Ajman might not get as much press as its surrounding, bigger emirates, but it’s worth playing Mario Kart with all those cars on the E11 in Dubai and Sharjah to get there. Head for the Ajman Corniche, where we suggest ditching the wheels and strolling along the sand. The beach is in good condition and, thanks to its sheer size, doesn’t ever seem too crowded, meaning you can take a seat and enjoy the views in peace and quiet. Once you’ve explored the city, take a trip out of town to visit the popular ‘Friday market’ near Al Dhaid, which actually takes place every day. It features trinkets, handicrafts, carpets, abayas and other traditional items and souvenirs (free entry; open Sat-Thu 9am-1pm, 4pm-11pm; Fri 4pm-11pm). Take the E88 and the market can be found between Al Dhaid and Masafi.
Directions: Drive through Dubai and Sharjah on the E11, all the way to Ajman.
Where to stay: The recently opened Ajman Palace is stunning and offers incredible views of the Gulf.
www.theajmanpalace.com (06 701 8888).
Drive, then go for a ride
Travel time: Two hours 20 minutes.
The UAE’s least populated emirate Umm al-Quwain is home to a waterpark worth visiting if you’ve already mastered our very own Yas Waterworld. Dreamland Waterpark (www.dreamlanduae.com) is a tad retro, but in a good way: there are plenty of attractions, from flumes and family raft rides to a wave pool, ‘bumper boats’ and the scary-sounding Kamikaze. If you can’t be bothered to drive home afterwards, you can stay the night at the campsite, which features family-friendly tents and wooden cabins.
Directions: Drive through Dubai and Sharjah on the E11, all the way to Umm al-Quwain.
Where to stay: The Egyptian-influenced Palm Beach Resort and Spa is novel but good enough.
www.palmagroup.ae (06 766 7090).
Be a culture vulture
Travel time: Two hours.
Sharjah boasts an impressive collection of more than 20 museums, and a vibrant underground arts scene. What’s more, nearly all the attractions are within easy walking distance, spread around the lively Corniche area. Kick off at Sharjah Art Museum (www.sharjahmuseums.ae), before taking a wander around the smaller independent gallery spaces in the nearby Arts Area. This trip is more about the destination than the driving, as Dubai’s stunning architecture aside, there’s nothing too glamorous on the Sheikh Zayed Road. Sharjah’s Arabian Wildlife Centre is great if you’re travelling with kids.
Directions: Drive through Dubai towards Sharjah on the E11.
Where to stay: Try the Sharjah Rotana.
www.rotana.com/sharjahrotana (06 563 7777).
Keep your cool in Al Ain
Travel time: One hour 30 minutes.
A road trip feature wouldn’t be complete without a trip to Abu Dhabi’s ‘Garden City’ and the mountains of Jebel Hafeet are worth a tour, especially if your expedition is taking place when the weather’s a lot warmer this summer. Located further inland than most of the UAE’s towns and cities, Al Ain doesn’t get strangled by the same levels of humidity as many places in the UAE. The average humidity levels in Al Ain in April are 33 percent, whereas they’re 47 percent in Abu Dhabi. Be careful when cruising up and down the winding Jebel Hafeet road: not everyone drives along it with the required due care and attention.
Directions: Take the E22 past the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque all the way to Al Ain.
Where to stay: The Al Ain Rotana does a very kid-friendly brunch on a Friday.
www.rotana.com (03 754 5111).
Seek out an oasis
Travel time: Two hours 15 minutes.
Learn a little about the history of the UAE at the Liwa Oasis, the birth place of the ruling families of Abu Dhabi. It’s situated about 100km south of the Persian Gulf and 150km from Abu Dhabi in the Al Gharbia region (where the water festival is being held this month, see our feature on page 14). There are 50 villages in the region and even date farms and it’s a popular spot for dune bashing.
Directions: Drive down the E11 out of Abu Dhabi towards Al Maqatrah and take the E45 and keep driving.
Where to stay: Tilal Liwa Hotel, a secluded four-star hotel on the edge of the desert.
reservations.tilal@danathotels.com.
See industrial Abu Dhabi
Travel time: Two hours 30 minutes.
Al Ruwais is 240km west of Abu Dhabi in the Western Region. Many petroleum employees for ADNOC work and live here, and this journey is all about the drive, with some special scenery right at the end. It’s situated right next to Sir Bani Yas Island but there are plenty of unspoilt beaches and natural islands in the locale as well. The drive can be hectic, since it’s on the road to Saudi Arabia and trucks pound along rather manically, but it’s worth it if you’re after some isolation and to escape the big city for a weekend.
Directions: Take the E11 out of Abu Dhabi towards Al Maqatrah and keep driving towards Ruwais.
Where to stay: The five-star Danat Resort Jebel Dhanna has all the facilities you’ll need.
www.danathotels.com/JebelDhanna
Further Afield
Drive to Kalba
Travel time: Three hours.
If you want a road trip with spectacular views, head out to the east coast of the UAE and Kalba. You’ll be able to take in the Gulf of Oman with stunning scenery on either side of the Sharjah-Kalba road. Make sure you check out Khor Kalba, a mangrove forest which is also popular with bird watchers.
Directions: Take the E20 out of Abu Dhabi and then take the E66 at Al Haiyir then head onto the E60, followed by the E55, then turn right when you reach the Sharjah-Kalba Road, which takes you all the way to Kalba.
Where to stay: The Breeze Motel is an affordable and slightly quirky option.
www.breezemotel.com (09 277 8877).
Explore Zighy
Travel time: Three hours 30 minutes.
A long-standing favourite with city-dwellers looking for a little relaxation time along the mountainous coastline. With wellness programmes, private pools in all villas and a ban on mobile phones in all public areas, the five-star Six Senses resort is a great place to detox. Got cash? You can paraglide into the resort from the surrounding mountains. James Bond eat your heart out.
Directions: Drive towards Dubai on the E11, take the Truck Road exit after 45 minutes, then follow the E611 and then the E88 towards Batayeh, then the E89 towards Dibba. More detailed instructions can be found on www.sixsenses.com.
Where to stay: It’s not the cheapest but Six Senses is a suitably opulent option.
www.sixsenses.com (+968 2 673 5555).
Take in the pools of Hatta
Travel time: Three hours.
See the historic village of Hatta and drive along the gravel tracks through the mountains. The rock pools are a great place to cool off during summer and are an impressive sight of their own, having been carved by rain over millions of years. Hatta Heritage Village is worth a stop – here you can see the old watchtower and restored stone buildings of the old town.
Directions: The most direct route, taking the E44 out of Dubai, will take you through Oman – so don’t forget your passport! Take a right at the big roundabout with the fort (the location of Hatta Fort Hotel). Drive through Hatta village to find the Heritage Village (look for the watch tower). Continue around the back of the village and turn right to Al Fay along a straight road with lots of speed bumps and a checkpoint. Turn right onto the dirt road and continue for about 10km to reach Hatta Pools. Alternatively, take the E22 out of Abu Dhabi for a more scenic route, through Al Ain and Oman.
Where to stay: The Hatta Fort Hotel is just an hour from Dubai. www.jaresortshotels.com (04 809 9333). And again, you could combine two trips in one: Big Red is close by.
Do more in Dibba
Travel time: Three hours 15 minutes.
The dramatic scenery of the UAE’s east coast is a far cry from Abu Dhabi’s building sites and skyscrapers. Expect the sea on one side and mountain ranges on the other. From Dibba, you can jump aboard a dhow trip at the port – try Sheesa Beach (www.sheesabeach.com). It’s a great area for mountain biking, rock climbing, kayaking and more. The nearby Wadi Khab Shamsi is worth exploring if your motor is a 4×4.
Directions: Drive towards Dubai on the E11. Take Emirates Road (E311) through Sharjah towards Ras Al Khaimah, then turn east at exit 119. If you have any spare time, detour to Barracuda Beach Resort, about ten minutes west from this junction. Stay on the Truck Road for 30km, then turn left at the cement factory; as you approach Dibba, turn left at the roundabout after the ADNOC petrol station. Continue straight (you’ll pass a large mosque on the left) until you reach the Omani border checkpoint. Once you’ve crossed into Oman, follow the main road, then turn right after the mosque to head down towards the sea and the port. Make sure you take your passport.
Where to stay: The Golden Tulip offers low-priced accommodation.
(+968 2683 6654).
Go off the grid
Travel time: Three hours 45 minutes.
Drive all the way to the east coast again (to a place that not even Google Maps recognises by name), where you can experience great off-roading. Wadi Wurayah, located in the Hajar mountains, lies between the towns of Masafi, Khor Fakkan and Bidiyah, and it’s home to more than 100 species of mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians. Expect huge canyons and fresh water streams in Wurayah, which is the UAE’s first protected mountain area (thanks to a three-year campaign by the World Wide Fund for Nature). The biggest tourist attraction there though is the spectacular waterfall.
Directions: Take the E20 out of Abu Dhabi and then the E66 at Al Haiyir then head onto the E60, followed by the E55, then turn right when you reach the Sharjah-Kalba Road, before taking the E89 towards Fujairah, following it in the direction of Madha. For those of you with GPS, these are the co-ordinates: N25° 23′ 45.83” E56° 16′ 10.60”.
Where to stay: You’re best kipping over in Fujairah and most of you will be familiar with a night’s stay at a solid, dependable Rotana. This one is on the pretty Al Aqah Beach.
(09 244 9888).
Hit the Fujairah Road
Travel time: Two hours 45 minutes.
A new highway, called the New Fujairah Road, means you can drive to the east coast emirate much quicker now from the nation’s capital and the journey is a spectacular one, with mountain ranges everywhere you look and Snoopy Island waiting for you at the end of your journey. Head here for fishing, diving, rock climbing and a chilled-out atmosphere. It’s also home to the aforementioned Wadi Wurayah (so it’s possible to combine two of these trips into one). There’s also the oldest working mosque in the UAE, dating back to the 15th century.
Directions: Head towards Sharjah on the E11 out of the city. Drive into Sharjah on Emirates Road (E311). At the Ras Al Khor Industrial area, turn right onto the E44, eventually joining up with the E611. Turn right onto the Sharjah-Kalba road (E102) and continue on past the Al Malaiha turning to the right before turning off onto the new Fujairah Road (E84).
Where to stay: Sandy Beach Hotel & Resort (www.sandybm.com, 09 244 5555) has comfortable beach huts and barbecue stations near the sea.
Say hello to Big Red
Travel time: Three hours.
Like sand dunes? Big Red, near Hatta, is a must for driving enthusiasts. It’s a 300ft high sand dune popular with dune bashers, quad bikers and sandboarding enthusiasts. You can thank a high amount of iron oxide in the sand for its rich, red colour. Companies such as www.dubaidunebashing.com conduct tours.
Directions: Drive to Dubai on the E11.
Take exit 22 towards E77, then head for the E611 before taking the E102 (the Sharjah-Kalba Road), then turn right on to the E44. There are plenty of signs for Hatta from Dubai if you get lost.
Where to stay: The Hatta Fort Hotel is just an hour from Dubai.
www.jaresortshotels.com (04 809 9333).
Epic Journeys
Visit magnificent Muscat
Travel time: Six and a half hours.
A trip for the more adventurous among you, the driving will take up a considerable amount of time on this adventure. The good news is it’s a beautiful journey along the coast. There are small towns where you can stop off on the way for lunch, such as Barka and Al Masnaah, and once in Muscat there’s plenty to see and plenty of places to party the night away as well. An overnight stay is definitely recommended before you hit the road on the way back. Also, don’t forget your passport for border patrol.
Directions: Head out from Abu Dhabi on the E22 towards Al Ain. Follow Truck Road around Al Ain and onto Route 7 towards Suhar, then right onto Route 1, which takes you all the way into Muscat.
Where to stay: After such a long drive, you’re going to need some luxury. We recommend the stunning, coastal Shangri-La’s Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa.
www.shangri-la .com/muscat (+968 2477 6666).
Explore the mountain of women
Travel time: Four hours.
The rocky mountains of Musandam are home to Jebel Harim, or the ‘mountain of women’, which is 2087m high, the highest in the peninsula. This is a steep, narrow, winding drive ideal for those of you who have done a bit of off-roading. Alternatively, various tour firms can take you up there. The views of Musandam’s capital Khasab and Dinna are spectacular and the rocks here contain preserved fossils of fish, clams and molluscs.
Directions: Drive through all the emirates (Dubai, Sharjah, etc) on the E11, then the E311 onto the Al Rams Road, through Ghalilah (it’s called E11 again by now) and all the way into Oman up the 02 Road to Khasab. It’s a beautiful coastline drive.
Where to stay: You can’t go wrong with the Khasab Hotel, in the heart of the capital.
www.khasabhotel.net (+968 26730267).
Things to take with you
Passport
Even if you’re not leaving the UAE, it’s better to have it with you just in case. You’ll need it on a trip to Oman.
Sunglasses
Not just to look cool, but to deal with the low sun at dusk, which can make winding roads troublesome.
Fully charged phone
Essential for emergencies: you never know when you might need to let someone know you’re lost. We recommend you take a charger you can use in your car.
Garmin GPS
The leader in top-end sat-nav devices, and an essential piece of kit for anyone who takes off-roading seriously. www.garmin.com.
Entertainment
Got kids in the back? Make sure you’ve got a tablet, like an iPad, with you for entertainment. www.ic4uae.com.
Water
It might sound obvious, but you’d be amazed how many people go out on a journey without it. Throw a few more bottles in the back before you leave.
Get Home Safely
Heading off the beaten track? Make sure you follow this essential advice.
Don’t get stuck
If your car’s stuck in sand, use Maxtrax to escape. Slide the tracks under your wheels and drive onto them to escape. Dhs1,500. Adventure HQ, Times Square Centre, Sheikh Zayed Road (04 346 6824).
Stay warm and awake
Handpresso, a camping-friendly espresso machine, works by adding hot water and applying hand pressure for instant warming drinks. Dhs811. The Change Initiative, Barsha (800 824).
Emergency accommodation
Pitch a rooftop tent on top of your car, complete with a ladder to help you ascend. Dhs3,999. Ace Hardware, Mina Zayed next to Toys ‘R’ Us (02673 1665).
Tell friends
Make sure you tell some friends or family where you’re going, especially if you’re off-roading. Always think safety first.
