Abu Dhabi's adventure playground Hudayriyat Island got an additional boost with the inauguration of Trail X, a 15km mountain bike trail. The Island, connected to a suspension bridge known among residents as the "bridge to nowhere", is already a hub for a number of leisure activities for children and adults as well as adventurers.
Last year, Abu Dhabi Sports Council hosted the first Hudayriyat Cycling Challenge, featuring two races, a shorter one at 30km and a longer 100km route for advanced riders.
Developer Modon Properties said Trail X "will further strengthen Abu Dhabi’s position as a leading cycling hub."
Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, member of the Executive Council and chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Office, inaugurated the trail on Wednesday and also visited additional cycling infrastructure projects on Hudayriyat Island that have been developed under the Bike Abu Dhabi platform.
Projects confirmed so far include a 109km cycling track called the Abu Dhabi Loop and a 3,500-seat velodrome, to be built on Hudayriyat Island.
Abu Dhabi was also awarded the status of Bike City by the Union Cycliste Internationale last year, the first location in the Middle East or Asia to receive the accolade.
What is Hudayriyat Island?
Plans to develop Hudayrityat Island were first announced in 2009, but did not initially progress beyond the construction of the bridge.
The project was revived in 2017, with plans to turn the 3,000-hectare island into a mixed-use community with an emphasis on fitness and nature.
In May 2018, the public was able to cross the bridge for the first time to access an undisturbed 600-metre beach with running and cycling tracks, water sports, a bouncy castle and a children's playground.
Since then, the island has been popular among cyclists and runners and has been chosen as the venue for triathlons and obstacle courses.
Scroll through our gallery below to see more photos from Hudayriyat Island
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A boy takes some photos of the many wildlife art works in the Marsana area of Hudayriyat Island. Victor Besa / The National -
The new leisure and entertainment will be open to the public on November 10. Victor Besa / The National -
The public beach area at Hudayriyat Island. Victor Besa / The National -
The Marsana area will includes different restaurants and cafe's for visitors. Victor Besa / The National -
The Circuit X Ropes area of Hudayriyat Island. Victor Besa / The National -
The Bab Al Nojoum area of Hudayriyat Island. Victor Besa / The National -
Tents for rent at the Bab Al Nojoum area of Hudayriyat Island. Victor Besa / The National -
The Bike Park area of Hudayriyat Island. Victor Besa / The National -
The Hudayriyat Courts area. Victor Besa / The National -
The Circuit X Ropes area includes sports activities for visitors. Victor Besa / The National -
The Circuit X Ropes area. Victor Besa / The National -
The Circuit X skate and BMX park at Hudayriyat Island. Victor Besa/The National -
The Circuit X BMX park at Hudayriyat Island. Victor Besa / The National -
The 321 Sports area at Hudayriyat Island. Victor Besa / The National -
The Circuit X Ropes area. Victor Besa / The National -
The Circuit X BMX park. Victor Besa / The National -
The new Hudayriyat Leisure and Entertainment District opens to the public on November 10. Victor Besa / The National -
Many different activity areas and mini parks for all ages can be found around the Marsana area. Victor Besa / The National -
The Marsana area includes a ping-pong table and a fitness park. Victor Besa / The National -
The new Hudayriyat Leisure and Entertainment District opens on November 10. Victor Besa / The National -
The Circuit X skate and BMX park at Hudayriyat Island in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
