A wonderful geological diversity of the Hajar mountains looming over the azure waters of Rafisah dam in combination with lush greenery and the majestic waterfall will enchant you with picturesque views. Rafisah dam is the largest dam in the eastern Emirates. It was established in 1984 and it gathers the water from seven wadis that abound in the area. Rafisah dam is located in Wadi Shie – a valley known for its archeological importance, and is one of the most famous tourist landmarks in this region, right next to Najd Al Maqsar (Najd Al Maqsar – Settlement Under The Palm Fronds), a historical settlement built on the top of the mountain on the opposite side of the new Khorfakkan Road. If you are heading to Khorfakkan, Rafisah dam should definitely figure on your itinerary!
The richness of nature surrounding Rafisah dam (25.347666, 56.309236) as well as its capitative charm makes it a perfect spot to find peace and comfort away from the city. However, due to the fact that the place gets very overcrowded during weekends and weekdays afternoons, I would strongly recommend visiting Rafisah dam in the morning (ideally during sunrise) or during the day, to enjoy its healing atmosphere and tranquility.
HEALING SOUND OF THE WATERFALL
A 55 meters long artificial waterfall provides a serene ambiance of tropical forest. The blooming flowers of trees and bushes beautifully contrast with the barren mountains. You will find many benches around, so have a break, and enjoy the healing sound of the waterfall, allowing your soul to rejuvenate. Have a stroll through lush green gardens and absorb the beauty of the scenery around the Rafisah dam’s waters.
RENT A BOAT AND EXPLORE THE WATERS OF RAFISAH DAM
There is a playground for kids, a mosque, and ample parking. A restaurant with indoor space and an outdoor terrace will allow you to enjoy your meal or coffee with a majestic view of the lake. Visitors can also rent the boats and kayaks to paddle inside the dam or explore the meandering passages between the mountains.
Alternatively, if you prefer to get close to the water of the Rafisah dam with your car and perhaps have a picnic there, you can opt to take a short off-road stretch off of the parking, to reach this point: 25.346582, 56.306481.
HIKE UP THE MOUNTAINS TO SEE RAFISAH DAM PANORAMA
There is also a hiking path leading to the top of the mountain. It will provide you with an amazing view of the whole Rafisah dam (starting point: 25.349413, 56.311024).
RAFISAH DAM WALKWAY
Additionally, the newly created walking path will allow you to cross the Khorfakkan road underground and pass to the other side, where Najd Al Maqsar settlement is located.
The walking path is about 1 km long. The starting point can be here: 25.349326, 56.311337, once you walk through the dam. The dam walkway features heritage farms where the palm trees are still grown the old way. A little bit further, you can also observe typical for this region of the world farming terraces that turn green during winter being sown with different kinds of wheat. In fact, the farms behind Najd Al Maqsar used to be hidden in the valley between the mountains. Only a familiar eye could recognize the place where the old farms used to be situated. The remaining stone constrictions were left abandoned and nowadays reveal the location of ancient farms.
REMEMBER:
- Do not leave any garbage behind, including food. Even organic waste can take months to biodegrade and meanwhile it will attract animals. It may make them stop eating their natural food and rely on what humans leave behind and make them sick.
- Have always a bag ready to collect trash left behind by other inconsiderate people – in the end, you are saving nature.
- Hike or camp over gravel and rocks. In some areas, the vegetation can take years to grow back.
- Leave natural and historical items where you find them.
- Minimize cooking over a campfire, use the stove instead – it is less impact on the wilderness.
UAE OFF-ROADER GUIDE
If you are looking for more off-road trails to discover around the United Arab Emirates, I can recommend this ultimate guide that is packed with many routes, giving very detailed information and answering all questions you could have about off-roading in the UAE.
You can get it from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3eQMBbr
FIELD GUIDE TO EMIRATES
To learn more about UAE’s natural & archaeological treasures, check: https://www.fieldguidetoemirates.com
I hope you found this article about Rafisah dam helpful and it gave you an idea of where to head to next weekend. If you are looking for more interesting places nearby, I recommend you to check: Najd Al Maqsar – Settlement Under The Palm Fronds or Snoopy Island: Discover the Underwater World of the Arabian Sea.
