5 Best places for Hiking in UAE | Free in UAE | Wadi hikes | mountains | top holiday spots

 Fresh air is essential every now and then. When crowded places are present, it is necessary to avoid them. Why not take a rejuvenating hike in the mountains and breathe in fresh air while pumping your adrenaline? The weather is great during spring time, which is not too hot or too cold. Clement weather and perfect walking conditions make the beauty of the mountains even more enjoyable. The mountains, valleys, wadis, and mountains of Dubai are abundant. Below you will find a short list of some of the best hiking trails in the United Arab Emirates!

A number of hiking trails can be found throughout the UAE's wilderness. There are so many beautiful, unique, and fun things to do outside that will make you happy this season.

We have compiled a list of  In the UAE, there are five hiking trails you should not miss:  

Jebel Jais

Located in Jebel Jais, this hiking trail is a four-kilometer track that offers stunning views. You can find 180 degrees of a beautiful mountain view from the peak of the mountain, which is 1,300 metres high. This trip has a low difficulty level.

It's great for: Panoramic views

Distance from Dubai: two hours

In the lower trails, the location is 25.903435

In the upper trails, it is 25.938134.

There are six hiking trails available at different levels of difficulty on Jebel Jais, the UAE's tallest mountain. From 0.7 kilometers (Farfaar trail) to 6 kilometers (Samar trail), the lower segment has five trails for varying abilities. Several companies offer guided hikes, including Beyond Action, Challenging Adventure, and Adventurati Outdoor. If you prefer to be supervised, Challenging Adventure also offers self-guided tours.

Hatta Mountain Hike

Borders between the UAE and Oman are crossed by this trail. On the way, there are many tourist attractions, like valleys, gorges, and small cities. It takes approximately 4-6 hours to complete the entire trail, which is a total of 10 kilometers in length. Don't forget to bring water bottles, energy bars, and snacks with you. Staying hydrated is essential. Along the way, you will also see many farms.

Great for: Family-fun hikes

Distance from Dubai: 1-hour 30 minutes’ drive

Location: 24.815061, 56.160270

The Hatta Wadi Hub is a fun adventure center in Dubai's largest national park, which is popular with families and friends. In addition to hiking trails, there are several mountain trails in the Hajar Mountains for you to explore. A range of trails is available, including Easy, Moderate, Difficult, and Severe. There are trails that even go up to Hatta's famous sign along the route, which stretches nearly 33 kilometers long. You can expect undulating rugged hills, wadis, dams, farms, a heritage village, and a heritage village along the route. Families with young children will love this hike because it has a toilet. Picnic spots, campsites, heritage sites, and more can even be found here.

Jebel Hafeet

A gorgeous view awaits you at the summit of this hike, which is the third tallest hike in the UAE. A challenging and amazing hike awaits you at the top, once again for more experienced hikers. You can drive there from Dubai in about 80 minutes, and it's a nice drive. From the top, you can see amazing views during sunrise or sunset!

Great for: Advanced hikers

Distance from Dubai: 1-hour 50 minutes’ drive

Coordinates: 24.098936, 55.748944; 24.055854, 55.798625 

A variety of rewarding hikes can be done on Jebel Hafeet in Al Ain, Abu Dhabi's only mountainous region. If you pick this trail, do your homework first due to covid restrictions at Green Mobadzarah Park, which may be closed due to covid restrictions. On the other side of the mountain is the "smuggler's route," which starts at the Desert Park. Children and first-timers are not advised to attempt these routes due to loose rocks.

Wadi Shawka

A great hiking spot for beginners, Wadi Shawka is just an hour's drive from Dubai. There are several routes to choose from in Shawka. There are many options for rambling through Shawka, from a quick stroll to a full-blown day trip. No matter which option you choose, you'll be able to enjoy stunning views.

Great for: Beginners

Distance from Dubai: 1-hour drive

Coordinates: 25.103958, 56.039260

 The small parking lot at the Shawka Dam offers two options for getting to the summit: either take the stairs or choose one of the trails. Families with children will not get lost on the well-marked trails, making them a safe place for them to be. As you don't want your dog to wander too far, it is also dog-friendly, but you should keep them on a leash.

Wadi Abadilah

Wadi Abadilah is one of the most popular sights along this trail with hikers. Among the banana trees, mango trees, date palms, and other agricultural farmland you will see on the trail are banana trees, mango trees, and date palms.

Great for: Bouldering and wadi dips

Distance from Dubai: 1-hour 30 minutes’ drive

Coordinates: 25.440816, 56.196784

Streams and pools in the wadis may be flowing as we've had some rain this year. Several rocks are slippery, so keep an eye on little ones as they hike this trail.