Enjoy nature’s beauty on the UAE’s easiest hiking trails
When people think of the UAE, stunning skyscrapers and glitzy malls usually come to mind. But there’s so much more to the country than structural marvels. If hiking is your therapy, you will fall in love with the natural beauty of the landscapes in the region. Hiking is a cathartic experience. And luckily for those living in the UAE, there are different peaks to scale. For experienced hikers, there are some challenging mountains, while beginners can opt for any of the easiest hiking trails in the UAE.
ESCAPE FROM CITY LIFE ON THE EASIEST HIKING TRAILS IN THE UAE
There are plenty of options for those on the lookout for an adventurous getaway or a snooze under the stars. You can drive down to the mountains and conquer any of these easy hikes in the UAE.
WADI SHAWKA
Wadi Shawka is not just one of the easiest hiking trails in the UAE but also a popular tourist attraction due to its abundance of natural beauty. People come here for a relatively gentle hike on the well-marked trail. Wadi Shawka is one of the few dog-friendly trails; however, you must keep your furry friend on a leash at all times.
Whether you just visit Wadi Shawka for the short hike or make it a day by visiting the surrounding areas, including protected heritage sites, you’ll definitely finish the day with some great photos and fond memories.
HAJAR MOUNTAINS
The second entry on our list of the easiest hiking trails in the UAE is the majestic Hajar Mountains. These rocky peaks have four hiking trails: easy, moderate, difficult and severe. So, whilst it may look daunting from a distance, beginners can try their luck on the easy trails.
Besides hiking, you can consider extreme sports, off-road exploration and visiting archaeological sites. Go for overnight camping, and then scale one of these incredible peaks in the morning to soak in the breathtaking views at sunrise.
AL RABI MOUNTAIN TRAIL
Overlooking beautiful Khorfakkan, Al Rabi Mountain offers a relatively easy trail. It does get steep in places but is marked for stress-free exploring. You roughly need around three hours to complete the trek. But don’t be surprised if you take up much more time admiring the incredible views from the top. You’ll definitely want to take regular breaks so you can grab some truly awesome photos of the stunning scenery.
Once you are in the town, you can visit Khorfakkan Beach or the Khorfakkan Waterfall for a memorable trip!
JEBEL JAIS
When one hears that Jebel Jais is the tallest peak in the UAE, the natural reaction would be to avoid a seemingly challenging trail. However, that’s not the case. The actual trail is well marked and not too tough to navigate. It is around 4 km one way, so it takes about two hours to complete at a slow to medium pace. And trust us, once you reach the summit, the amazing views represent a beautiful reward for all your hard work.
HATTA HUB
In 2019, authorities introduced several marked trekking tours at these mountains near the Oman border. This meant that hikers with varying abilities could take on the challenge. The tracks are colour-coded according to difficulty. Beginners should opt for the green path, a level walk.
There is plenty to do in Hatta besides hiking. You can consider camping at Hatta to experience a night under the skies. Since Hatta is also one of the most photogenic spots around, you won’t need an Instagram filter to grab some truly awe-inspiring photos.
WADI TAYYIBAH
Located in Fujairah, this is one of the easiest hiking trails in the UAE. The venue welcomes visitors all year round. But these mountains come to life with lots of greenery, natural pools and running springs during the winter season. In fact, it’s a great contrast to what you usually see in the UAE.
You can start your hike at Al Tayyibah Heritage Museum and move forward following the signposts. Experienced hikers can go off to the non-marked areas. However, for beginners, the marked trail is the safer option. While in the northern emirate, you can also explore the other wadis in Fujairah.
WADI ABADILAH
Rounding off our list of the easiest trails in the UAE is Wadi Abadilah. This is one of Fujairah’s most popular hikes, for a good reason. The picturesque location has steadily gained popularity over the years and features an easy to moderate trail through farmland. Look out for the splendid date palms, mango or banana trees during your trek. But remember, if there has been rain in the area recently, small streams and ponds in the wadi might make your hike a bit more challenging.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHICH ARE THE BEST HIKING TRAILS IN THE UAE?
Are you ready to take on tougher challenges? Here is a list of the top hiking trails in the UAE. You can also visit these picturesque UAE mountains.
CAN I BOOK HIKING TOURS IN THE UAE?
Yes, many companies offer hiking tours in the UAE. Once you book a package, they will take care of most things. All you have to think about is scaling the peaks.
That concludes our guide to the easiest hiking trails in the UAE. We hope it proves helpful for beginners, allowing hiking newbies to get a taste for this healthy hobby, whilst immersing themselves in the UAE’s natural beauty. Happy hiking!
Have you taken on any of these trails? Share your hiking experience in the comments section below.
