United Arab Emirates nature is famous for its majestic mountains offering plenty of hiking trails, along with rock-climbing and caving. Hiking in the UAE includes both beginner treks and more advanced hikes. Often those routes are not signposted, leading to abandoned villages perching on the edge of the mountains, where the terrain can be tricky and treacherous.
When you set off for hiking in the UAE, whether you are with a group or on your own, you need to ensure to have proper gear, knowledge, physical capability, situational awareness, and good judgment in order to keep yourself safe.
1. TELL SOMEONE WHERE YOU ARE GOING
It is a wise thing to do to let someone know your hiking itinerary and when you plan on returning. If you do not get back by that time, they can alert the proper authorities.
I also got amazing advice from my friend – leave a piece of paper on your car, writing down the details of your trip, clothes you will be wearing and any other info that could be useful in case of emergency.
2. PLAN YOUR ROUTE
Most of the trails in the United Arab Emirates are often unmarked and therefore it is easy to get lost. If you are looking for a new trail, you should check Wikiloc website. You can browse through all kinds of routes, depending on region and difficulty. If possible, bring a map and satellite phone with you. Do not rely solely on GPS technology or your mobile phone as remote areas in the UAE often have limited phone service.
3. KNOW YOUR PHYSICAL CAPABILITIES
When deciding to go hiking in the UAE, it is important to understand your own level of fitness. The high elevation and long hikes increase the chance of dehydration, severe sunburn, heatstroke or heat exhaustion, headache, nausea, dizziness, and the aggravation of pre-existing medical conditions.
With that in mind, you can choose the appropriate trail distance, elevation gain, and intensity level of your route. United Arab Emirates terrain will give you plenty of options to choose from, from beginner trail in Wadi Shawka, through Jebel Yanas moderate hike to Stairway to Heaven – difficult hike for experienced hikers.
4. PREPARE YOUR GEAR FOR HIKING IN THE UAE
There are some essential items that you need to pack when you are going hiking in the UAE mountains. Therefore, it is advisable to make a list before you go – you do not want to realize you forgot something important being on the trail. The must-have list includes: water, food, first aid kit, sunscreen, flashlight, compass, map, fire starter, knife, and whistle (three blasts of a whistle is the universal signal for help)
Given the difficulties of terrain (steep, rocky hills), proper boots are vital to give your ankles support. Make sure they fit properly. Never wear a new pair of boots on a long hike to avoid blisters. Dress in layers as that will allow you to add or remove extra clothes quickly and avoid cotton clothing, which insulates poorly when wet and dries very slowly. More about useful equipment I recommend you can read about here: Top 7 Camping Gadgets or watch a video from my trip 24 hours in the wilderness:
5. CHECK THE WEATHER FORECAST
Although it does not rain very often in the United Arab Emirates, when it occurs, the water coming from mountain peaks causes fast-flowing torrents in wadis (dry river beds), deluging houses, and sweeping away vehicles in some low-lying areas. It is crucial to check the weather forecast before you go hiking to the mountains in the UAE and if there is a chance of unstable weather – stay mindful and do not risk.
However, if it happens that you encounter during your hike, lightning can be one of the most frightening hazards that a hiker can experience. In this case, you should get away from summits and isolated trees, rocks, and caves. Avoid close contact with others and move away from water sources. Drop all metal objects and move them away. Find the lowest point of the open area and move there quickly.
Considering the weather in the summer, it is strongly advised not to go hiking in the UAE during hot months, as it may result in serious health conditions like dehydration and heat-related illnesses.
6. STAY ON THE TRAIL
Many got lost in the mountains because they did not stay on the trail. Especially hiking in the UAE, where the landscape of the Hajar Mountains is barren and the environment harsh, make sure to check if you are following the route frequently.
7. RESEARCH ON WILDLIFE
The United Arab Emirates is home to plenty of venomous creatures: scorpions, snakes, and spiders. Before you set off for a hike you should do your research on that wildlife, so that you know what to do in case you encounter any of the poisonous animals.
If you are bitten by a snake, clean the area around the bite with water, immobilize the limb if possible, keep it below heart level, and head to the hospital for an anti-venom shot. Do not try to suck the poison from the wound, put ice on it, cut the wound, or apply a tourniquet.
Spiders as well as scorpions found in the mountains in the United Arab Emirates tend to have venom that can be dangerous to smaller creatures but is unlikely to cause human death. Most scorpion stings can be treated easily and treatments can be bought even over the counter at pharmacies.
8.KEEP HYDRATED
Dehydration can cause serious illness if it gets severe. Because of this, staying hydrated while hiking is important for your safety. I recommend getting a hydration bladder, for example, this one: Osprey Hydraulics LT 2.5 Res Bladder that will allow you to access water quickly.
Hiking in the UAE is not like hiking in other countries where drinking water sources are easily available in nature. Even if you find water sources in the wadis, it contains a lot of debris and bacteria. To drink water directly from nature, you would have to use a purifying straw. Other than that you can boil the water or use purification tablets.
Many people do not realize that you need to carry an adequate amount of water to be safe. But if you cannot carry at least four liters of water, it means that you are not fit enough to hike in the United Arab Emirates mountains.
9. DO NOT LITTER!
Imagine how shocked I was when I attended one of the hiking group trips and I saw one of the participants throwing away a plastic bottle into the wild! In my understanding, a person who enjoys and takes advantage of being outdoors should respect the environment and leave nothing behind. This is our responsibility! The most important rule of hiking to Leave No Trace (LNT), or in other words “Take nothing but photos and leave nothing but footprints.”
Hiking in the UAE is a great way to get outdoors and improve your endurance. Just make sure you plan ahead and take into consideration all tips given in this article, so your trip is enjoyable and safe.
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 not only make them stop eating their natural food and rely on what humans leave behind but also it may 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/2UrKZdo
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 hiking in the in the UAE helpful. If you are looking for more articles about hiking in the UAE mountains, I recommend you to check: 6 Best Daypacks for Hiking in the UAE or 10 Potentially Dangerous Wild Animals in the UAE: Mountains & Desert.
