Enjoy the UAE's Natural Landscape with These Three Hiking Trails

Image via Alamy on The National

Put on your sneakers and pack your bags, we're going hiking on some of the best outdoor destinations in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The UAE is a popular tourist destination in the region, particularly when it comes to its two most renowned cities, Dubai and the capital, Abu Dhabi. But aside from the country’s faced-paced living, array of cosmopolitan experiences, and seemingly endless calendar of events, it also offers some top-notch spots for the hikers and nature lovers amongst us. So, if you’re interested in discovering the more natural side of the UAE, here are a few hiking trails you ought to try out.

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Ras Al Khaimah

Ras Al Khaimah is home to Jebel Jais, the tallest mountain in the UAE, standing over 1,930 meters high, and also famous for its stunning trails and canyons. For instance, the Leopard Canyon is probably the region's popular hiking trail, taking visitors on different paths of their choosing with the shortest being just 0.7 kilometers, and the longest being 8.5 kilometers. The other canyons, which are Thunder Canyon, Wasat Canyon, and Trident Canyon, are much longer, and can take up to two days, so be sure to plan in advance. Jebel Jais is also known for "the balcony," which is an ideal resting spot for hikers.

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Hatta

If you’re looking for a location that offers more water and greenery, then you may want to consider Hatta for your next hiking trip. Starting from Hatta Wadi Hub, the trails take you to various terrains, each one a different level of difficulty depending on your skill level. In fact, each path is color-coded based on its difficulty level: green is easy, blue is moderate, red is advance, and black being the most challenging. Surrounded by the Hajar Mountains, Hatta is also ideal for other outdoor activities and camping, its damns and blue waters perfect for paddle boarding and kayaking.

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Secret Staircases

As the name implies, this hiking trail consists of secret staircases said to have been hand built by Pakistani goat herders. It requires three hours to finish and offers some great views along the way. It will take you to places like Twaifat and Yehnadji, which are renowned for petroglyphs and ancient gravestones. This hiking trail is said to also continue past the Omani border, so be sure to go with your passport.

Image via the Road Reel

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Enjoy the UAE's Natural Landscape with These Three Hiking Trails

Image via Alamy on The National

Ras Al Khaimah

Hatta

Secret Staircases

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