Travel UAE

Tag: hiking

  • Hiking with Kids in the UAE

    Hiking with Kids in the UAE

    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/

  • Hafarah (Ahfara) Hiking Trail

    Hafarah (Ahfara) Hiking Trail


    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
    Photos

  • Buhais Geology Museum

    Buhais Geology Museum

    We visited the Buhais Geological Museum in Sharjah. There are two highlights of this place:

    1. The Theater: Animated visuals explain the unique features of the location and why the museum was built there. After the presentation, the screen slides away to reveal a panoramic window with stunning views of the mountain and surrounding landscape.
    2. The Walking Trail: A nearly 1-kilometer-long trail through the foothills where you can try to spot ancient fossilized marine organisms or shells. The trail is far from civilization, allowing you to admire colorful rocks and the unique mountain formations of the local ridge.

    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
    Google Maps
    Photos

  • Fujairah Adventure Park

    Fujairah Adventure Park

    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

  • Fujairah Al Dahir Hiking Trails

    Fujairah Al Dahir Hiking Trails

    Sulfur Wadi Hike (Fujairah Al Dahir Hiking Trails) is a circular hiking trail of easy to moderate difficulty winding through a mountain stream’s bed (wadi). Even three weeks after rainfall, the sound of water trickling can still be heard in the early stages of the route, with small pools of varying colors and contents (including tiny fish) visible throughout.

    If you take the trail clockwise, which I find more manageable, the first kilometer is relatively easy, offering many picturesque small water basins. As the hike progresses, the trail narrows into a rocky mountainous path with less water and more stones. Occasionally, you’ll come across lush green oases that provide shaded resting spots. The entire trail winds through the gorge—sometimes over rocks, other times along valley-like terrain, offering breathtaking views. However, some sections may feel like light rock climbing.

    The entire loop is approximately 8 km and takes 2-3 hours at a moderate pace without extended breaks. Families with children may take 5-6 hours, though doing the whole loop with kids could be somewhat risky. For a more straightforward experience, you could hike a portion of the trail and return the same way. Hiding in wet weather or after rain is not advisable, as the trail could become dangerous.

    I started around 1-2 PM, and a noticeable number of tourist groups began arriving during this time. Trekking in large groups through the gorge can be unpleasant, so I recommend starting earlier in the day for a more peaceful experience. This trail is absolutely stunning and worth the effort!

    GPS: 25.541806, 56.160250
    Google Maps
    Photos: 1, 2, 3

  • Jebel Jais

    Jebel Jais

    Jebel Jais is a mountain range and a proper place of power. It’s also probably the most popular destination in the UAE outside the cities. Rising to an altitude of 1,500 meters, it’s accessible almost entirely by car via a serpentine highway.

    You’ll find a few attractions at the summit besides observation decks and stunning views. Sladder is a ride on “sleds” along rails on the mountainside, similar to the alpine coasters in Russia and Europe. Website. Entry is free during operating hours, and the ride is reasonably priced. Children under 3 years old and shorter than 120 cm are not allowed.

    Another highlight is the world’s longest zipline, stretching nearly 3 km and reaching speeds of up to 160 km/h. You need to book this in advance through their website. Access to the zipline and the nearby restaurant 1484 By Puro is restricted — there’s a barrier and only those with a zipline or restaurant booking (or occasionally those with a charming smile 😉) are allowed through.

    The area also features several fascinating observation decks and scenic pull-offs along the drive, where you can enjoy views of both the mountains and the sea.

    On weekends, the place gets very crowded. Families flock here for picnics, filling up all the parking spots and even the surrounding areas.

    GPS: 25.943202, 56.141646
    Google Maps
    Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

    In the area, there’s a hiking trail, which is mentioned on billboards at the summit. I didn’t explore it, but an infographic about it is higher up. The GPS coordinates for the starting point of the trail are 25.938487, 56.128629.

    Along the way, you’ll also come across several camping spots. If you dig around on the internet, I’m sure these mountains hide many more interesting and beautiful places, some of which may be a bit harder to reach.

  • Al Rafisah Dam

    Al Rafisah Dam

    The Al Rafisah Dam, with its lake, is just a 5-minute drive from the Khorfakkan above. It’s similar to the more popular Hatta Dam but slightly smaller and with a more urbanized vibe: power lines stretch across the mountains, and a highway runs along the dam, which detracts from the secluded, natural atmosphere of the place.
    At the lake, you can grab a bite to eat and rent various boats for a ride. A children’s playground, a café, and restrooms are also available.

    GPS: 25.346740, 56.307709
    Google Maps
    Photos: 1, 2

    The highlight of the place was The Walk (Wadi Shi Raafisah Dam to Observation Deck) — a hiking trail that winds uphill from the lake. It’s hard to miss, as the initial section is well-maintained, with benches and steps made of stone in some areas.

    If you continue along the trail, it turns into a 1.5–2-hour journey (one way) to the mountaintop overlooking Khorfakkan and the coastline, leading to a spot called the Al Suhub Rest Area (GPS: 25.361240, 56.323829). At the top, you’ll find an observation deck, a restaurant, and parking. During my visit, everything was closed for renovations, but at other times, it was accessible by car. The altitude is about 600 meters above sea level.

    The hiking trail to this spot becomes quite challenging in the final third, as it traverses a steep slope with loose soil and cliffs. However, the views are stunning, and the hike is generally manageable. It’s suitable for older children, but only under close supervision.

    GPS: 25.349397, 56.311164
    Google Maps