Ghaf Summit Hike (UAE)

Reaching the highest public point in the UAE.

If you are searching for something a little different to do in the UAE, then this hiking trail up Jebel Jais (highest mountain in the UAE) might just be the perfect change from brunches and pool days…..

Starting point….

I started from the old city area in Ras Al Khaimah and the hike starting point was 1 hour drive away. I reached the viewing deck area around 8.30am, where I parked my car for 5 dirhams. Although it was the 1st of April, it did not feel too warm and there was a cool breeze. The view from the deck was stunning and there were also food and coffee vans as well as restrooms, you might want to use these before you start the hike.

The hike starts next to a sign posted map, which directs you towards the various routes. The end of the first part of the hike is marked with the U.A.E flag and a wooden board (viewing deck park summit). It will take you between 25 to 30 minutes to reach this point and this part is mainly uphill, so be prepared. A lot of people only do this hike to that point and return back to the viewing deck, this is a good option if you are looking for a short/ moderate hike. At this point you will see a wooden post with a blue arrow directing you towards the Ghaf hike trail.

On to the next part….

From this point the route will become slightly less challenging and on your right hand side you can enjoy the view of the clouds lingering above the town below. Once you reach a shelter (similar to a bus stop) the route will split and I had a bit of a rest here. There will be a wooden post directing you towards the connection route, which will take you back to the viewing deck. Behind the shelter you will notice a painted flag on a rock, its white and red with a yellow square on the top right hand corner. Keep following this flag for the route to the Ghaf summit. You will notice there are a lot of man made steps along the way to make it easier to follow the path but still be aware of loose stones and place your feet carefully. Depending on the time of the day you decide to go for the hike, you might hear shouting and screaming as you get closer to the summit, this will be coming from the people who are zip lining the world’s longest zip line, which is in close proximity to the Ghaf summit.

The Final Stretch….

About 3.5km into the hike you will come to a bridge and I was lucky enough to share this with a real Billy Goat Gruff (maybe the hike should have been called the Gruff summit haha!). After crossing the bridge you will be very close to the road, from here it’s an uphill final stretch to the summit. Although it is slightly challenging from this point, the distance is quite short and it shouldn’t take that long to reach the highest public point in the UAE. There is a wooden post that marks the South Summit with meters above sea level. Just around the corner is another wooden post to mark the North Summit. I had a bit of a rest after reaching the summit and enjoyed a well deserved can of coke and some fruit. It is a very satisfying feeling reaching the highest public point in the UAE.

Now, on the way back you might look at the road, (which is actually closed to the public and only used to transport people to the start point of the zip line), and think it will be easier to walk back to the viewing deck carpark on the road. Just to make it clear, you can do this, but it will take you a lot longer as the road winds around the mountain and doesn’t go straight down.

Once back at the viewing deck I enjoyed a much needed delicious ice cream from one of the vans in the carpark before heading back.