I’ve put together a small list of well-equipped hiking trails in the mountains of the UAE suitable for the whole family. The mentioned routes have been completed by me and my family with a 4-year-old child. Of course, some trails were not fully explored, and not all available routes in each location were covered. However, everything listed here is manageable for a young child. Naturally, there were moments when the child had to be carried, but these were only minor challenges.
When hiking in the mountains with kids, always remember that stepping over a knee-high rock for you might be an obstacle half the height of a child. Imagine having to climb over boulders that are half your own height! 😉
Some links lead to my personal stories, while others direct you to Wikiloc, where you can explore different route options in a specific location, choose a suitable one, and assess its difficulty.
Feel free to check out my Instagram, where I regularly share interesting content: https://www.instagram.com/miphka/
A network of mountain hiking trails is expanding around Al Hefaiyah Lake near the city of Kalba on the Omani coast. Today, we walked 6 kilometers around the lake in 2.5 hours along a trail that didn’t even exist a year ago. The last time I hiked in that area was last April when I barely managed to complete another circular route alone in 3-4 hours. It was extremely hot, and I felt very unwell.
There has been very little rain this year, but the lake has finally filled up. The area is almost fully developed now and is beginning to take on a more finished appearance. Even the cafes have finally opened, offering a pleasant resting place after the heat, dust, rocks, and exhaustion. The hiking trails are still under construction, and today, we came to an unexpected dead end on one of the paths. We had to take a vehicle service road, navigate through various ravines, and climb over dams to return to civilization. However, this only adds a sense of exploration to our adventures.
Down by the water are a couple of cafes, motorized watercraft for leisure, and a children’s playground, which by around 3 p.m. gets quite crowded with people and kids. Most visitors come from the city. Due to the proximity of Oman, with the border just a few kilometers away, you can also spot people from there. Nearby, on the opposite slopes, lies an even more popular spot — Kalba Hanging Garden, with green hills and a mountain waterfall. At this time, it’s nearly impossible to find a spot in the main parking area, and visitors are directed to the upper parking lot, from where you still need to walk down a serpentine path to reach the central park.
GPS: 24.993758, 56.313063
Google Maps
Photos: 1, 2
The Hafarah Hiking Trail, also known as the Ahfara Hiking Trail, is a family-friendly loop located near Kalba in the Emirate of Fujairah, UAE. Spanning approximately 3.5 kilometers, the trail typically takes about 1.30 hours to complete, making it suitable for families with children aged 3 and above.
GPS: 25.043237, 56.315681
Google Maps
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After a light hike, it’s absolutely necessary to grab a bite and enjoy the magical winter weather in the UAE.
We were here once before, last June, when you step outside and immediately start sweating. A small shopping mall with a few cafés/restaurants and a beautiful panoramic view of the city.
But now, you soak up the endless sunshine to warm up a bit, even though you’re standing there in shorts and a t-shirt, with the breeze and shade keeping you cool.
In such a small country, desert landscapes blend seamlessly with these man-made, cozy, and numerous little oases.
Kalba Waterfront Mall
GPS: 25.003819, 56.352296
Google Maps
Photos: 1, 2
There are two parks in Hatta, Leem Lake, and Al Wadi Park, which are close together.
At Leem Lake, you can enjoy the serene waters by renting a kayak. During winter, the Hatta Winter Festival transforms the park into a lively hub with festive decorations, local market stalls, and cultural performances.
Al Wadi Park is located nearby and suitable for nature lovers and families. With its lush greenery, shaded walking paths, and open spaces, it’s perfect for picnics, strolls, or letting children play in a safe and calm environment. The peaceful surroundings make it a great spot to unwind after exploring the activities at Hatta Lake.
GPS: 24.815268, 56.131061
Google Maps
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We visited the Buhais Geological Museum in Sharjah. There are two highlights of this place:
The museum displays stones and many fossilized shells of ancient creatures that lived in the ocean depths millions of years ago.
After exploring and walking, you can enjoy a coffee at the museum’s café and later indulge in an outdoor dinner under the stars.
GPS: 25.019605, 55.796832
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Meydan DxBike is a small cycling cluster designed for recreation, featuring a food court, a pump track, and a reasonably extensive cycling route with views of downtown Dubai.
Along the route, you’ll encounter areas with heavy construction and parts where the track runs alongside traffic-filled roads. However, overall, it’s a pleasant experience, especially for those who prefer not to cycle through the desert (as some other cycling tracks are located there).
The venue offers parking, bike rentals, and various snack spots. Many people gather here around sunset, often in large numbers, to relax and enjoy the park.
GPS: 25.148953, 55.286391
Google Maps
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Winter City is the winter event at Dubai Expo City. Every December Dubai Expo City is transformed into a magical land with a traditional chalet-style Christmas market, pine trees and fun fairground games, with a towering tree and a letter-to-Santa station.
GPS: 24.960379, 55.150772
Google Maps
Photos: 1, 2
It’s been 1,000 years since I last visited. This marvel is best admired early in the morning, when the crowds have yet to arrive, and the bright morning sun reflects dazzlingly off the surface of the Burj Khalifa straight into your eyes—it is the iconic landmark of Dubai and the UAE.
In the lead-up to New Year’s Eve, fences are already being set up around the surrounding area. By tomorrow, hundreds of thousands of people will start storming this spot. Barriers will extend for about 2 kilometers, with checkpoints in place, and Instagram stories will flood with warnings to think twice about visiting this location on New Year’s Eve. Of course, you’ll need to buy a ticket—after all, you pay for everything in this country.
Tomorrow, another New Year will arrive. It feels a bit unusual this time. I struggle to believe in better days, even though I know I should just as I need to fight my procrastination and keep moving forward.
GPS: 25.197001, 55.274548
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Hiking near Fujairah Adventure Park
This is a small circular trail of about 5 km located close to Fujairah. You can spot the local airport from the higher points, complete with old, parked airplanes. While I’ve never seen planes flying from here, the airfield is enormous.
The trail runs either near or directly on the mountain biking tracks (as the park also caters to cyclists). The elevation gain is minimal, making it suitable for kids. There’s only one small section where you must climb slightly uphill over the stones of a dried-up stream.
The route’s highlight near the end is the chance to walk through a covered aqueduct tunnel and an artificial canyon for a few hundred meters. These structures were built to channel overflow water from a nearby reservoir during rains or overfilling. Judging by the dry marks, it’s been long since any water flowed here. The reservoir is also half-empty, as are most similar bodies of water in the region. This autumn-winter season has brought very little rain.
GPS: 25.136323, 56.299488
Google Maps
Photos: 1, 2, 3
animals architecture auto cafe city desert heritage hiking kids lake mountains nature park sea sport unusual zoo