There’s no time like a new year to blow the cobwebs away with an invigorating hike – and there’s no better place than the UAE to get trekking.
Venture away from the skyscrapers and beach clubs and you’ll soon discover the breathtaking array of mountains, deserts and lush green wadis waiting to be explored.
In this series, we speak to the experts – the tour guides, the foodies and the artists – to uncover the Emirates’ hidden gems.
For our latest instalment, we’re leaving the city behind and following in the footsteps of the city’s trail guides who spend their days rambling through some of the UAE’s most stunning natural spaces.
Exploring desert, mountains and burial sites in Sharjah
For Paul Oliver, founder and chief executive of Absolute Adventure, one of the most unique spots in the country lies up in the mountains of Kalba.
Five expert hiking tips
Always check the weather forecast before setting off
Make sure you have plenty of water
Set off early to avoid sudden weather changes in the afternoon
Wear appropriate clothing and footwear
Take your litter home with you
The “Tomb Raider Trek” refers to a 4,000-year-old tomb that Oliver stumbled across while hiking up to Kalba Mountain Camp in the Hajar Mountains.
“We first came across the tomb by accident when we were hiking through a small plateau up in the mountains,” explains Oliver. “We alerted the authorities but when they came to excavate the site, we discovered that it had already been pillaged by grave robbers hundreds or even thousands of years ago.”
Hikers who join the Absolute Adventure tour are given a history of the findings, which are thought to date back to the Bronze Age, before a descent into a wadi, with the whole trail lasting about two hours across 4 kilometres.
“It’s a fascinating hike if you like history, especially given the fact that we found the site and can give a first-hand account,” says Oliver.
History buffs should also make a beeline for Sharjah’s Fossil Rock in Mleiha for a hike through the desert exploring prehistoric archaeological sites, says Oliver.
“The hike here leads through several caves, each containing a glimpse into the past. It’s a really fascinating hike that has huge archaeological significance.”
The three-hour hike starts at a small car park in Mleiha marked as The Water Spring on Google Maps and leads through the desert and mountains, painting a picture of how former civilisations lived in the mountains.
Castles, wadis and farms in Fujairah
Fujairah is known for its stunning beaches and dive spots, but the emirate’s natural beauty is just as spectacular on dry land.
Amy Subaey, managing director of UAE Trekkers, loves Fujairah for its heritage, wildlife and spectacular scenery.
And, for that reason, she recommends aspiring ramblers head to Al Hail Castle.
“A hike around Al Hail is perfect if you’re looking for a bit of culture,” says Subaey. “It’s an incredibly interesting place that’s off the beaten track and there’s a lot of history there."
The 3km walk is a great choice for beginners, lasting about one hour and a half and winding through mountains, a wadi and archaeological sites up to the Al Hail Castle grounds.
“It’s surrounded by little farms and is a great place to spend a couple of hours with the kids,” she says.
“There’s a little town nearby, so you won’t feel totally cut off from civilisation but you’ll still experience the great outdoors.”
For more experienced hikers, Subaey recommends Wadi Dahir for an invigorating five-hour loop through mountains and valleys.
“Wadi Dahir is incredible,” she says. “The views from up there are just out of this world and it’s one of my personal favourite hikes for the sheer beauty of it.
“The trail starts in the mountains and winds through hills and valleys, ending with banana and palm trees and a water-filled wadi.”
The route is easily found on Google Maps, using the wadi’s alternative name, Wadi Al Hina Dam Dahir, and a car park is accessible from the main road, however, Subaey recommends taking a professional guide.
“If you’re not an experienced hiker then it’s a good idea to get a guide on this one,” she says. “It’s not the easiest hike and you really wouldn’t want anything to come between you and those views.”
For her final recommendation, Subaey recommends heading to another Fujairah wadi for an easier ramble.
“Wadi Helo is a Unesco Heritage Site in Fujairah with really cool watchtowers surrounded by farms,” she explains. “It makes for a fascinating hike, especially if you start from the castle and then walk up to the watchtower.
“The whole trail is about 1km long and only takes about one hour, so you can easily do this one on your own and it’s a great starting point for beginners.”
Wadi wandering is Ras Al Khaimah
Ras Al Khaimah has a well-deserved reputation for outdoor adventure and no one knows its hiking trails better than Bryan Doyle, general manager of The Adventure Centre.
“The hike from Wadi Sena to Wadi Kub is stunning,” says Doyle. “It starts with a long steep hill, approximately 2km long with an incline of approximately 1.2km.
“Once reaching the top of the mountain track, there are numerous campsites and lovely areas for a barbecue.
“From there, it is a nice gentle downhill hike through traditional Arabic farms and reservoirs and from here you can either continue west through the wadi to link into Wadi Kub or take one of the many loops back to the start of Wadi Sena.”
Another of Doyle’s favourite trails in RAK begins from Wadi Kub, deep in the Hajar Mountains from co-ordinates 25.492643, 56.101787.
“Within this wadi, you will see an amazing geological phenomenon,” explains Doyle. “The rock is stacked up from thousands of years of movement.
“After any form of rain in this area, you will see spectacular waterfalls coming from the mountains, feeding into one of the many rock pools in this area.”
Oliver is also a fan of hiking in RAK and, although Wadi Showka is well known among the UAE’s hikers, Oliver has discovered an alternative route around the area that not many people are aware of.
“Most people stop at the beginning of the Showka Dam but we tend to drive further into Wadi Showka to an Etisalat mast and hike around the rear loop,” says Oliver. “Most people tend to hike around the front but this loop is a lot more remote and scenic.
“It’s about a three-hour hike in total that takes you high up into the mountains and the views are just incredible.”
Hiking, kayaking and super slides in Hatta
Though Hatta is becoming increasing popular with outdoor enthusiasts, Subaey urges hikers to make the 90-minute drive to discover everything that Dubai’s mountainous little sister has to offer.
“Hatta might not be considered as much of a hidden gem compared to some of the other trails but it’s incredibly beautiful out there,” Subaey says.
“I’d recommend starting behind Wadi Hub. There’s a tonne of trails of various lengths and intensity and it’s a great place to hike with kids.”
As well as spectacular hiking trails, visitors to Hatta can also enjoy kayaking on the Hatta Dam, mountain biking or plummeting down slides at speeds of up to 80km per hour at Wadi Hub.
“The best thing about hiking in Hatta is that you can combine it with something else, like an activity at Wadi Hub or kayaking or even just a nice lunch,” she says.
“There’s always [a] phone signal, you’re never far from water or help if you get into any difficulty. For people who don’t know a lot about hiking, it’s the safest place you can go to explore.
“It feels really remote and you can experience all of the joys of hiking in the mountains without any of the risk.”
Top nine UAE hiking trails:
- Tomb Raider trail, Kalba, Sharjah
- Fossil Rock, Mleiha, Sharjah
- Al Hail Castle, Fujairah
- Wadi Dahir, Fujairah
- Wadi Helo, Fujairah
- Wadi Sena, Ras Al Khaimah
- Wadi Kub, Ras Al Khaimah
- Wadi Showka, Ras Al Khaimah
- Hatta, Dubai
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Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
Most sought after workplace benefits in the UAE
- Flexible work arrangements
- Pension support
- Mental well-being assistance
- Insurance coverage for optical, dental, alternative medicine, cancer screening
- Financial well-being incentives
The alternatives
• Founded in 2014, Telr is a payment aggregator and gateway with an office in Silicon Oasis. It’s e-commerce entry plan costs Dh349 monthly (plus VAT). QR codes direct customers to an online payment page and merchants can generate payments through messaging apps.
• Business Bay’s Pallapay claims 40,000-plus active merchants who can invoice customers and receive payment by card. Fees range from 1.99 per cent plus Dh1 per transaction depending on payment method and location, such as online or via UAE mobile.
• Tap started in May 2013 in Kuwait, allowing Middle East businesses to bill, accept, receive and make payments online “easier, faster and smoother” via goSell and goCollect. It supports more than 10,000 merchants. Monthly fees range from US$65-100, plus card charges of 2.75-3.75 per cent and Dh1.2 per sale.
• 2checkout’s “all-in-one payment gateway and merchant account” accepts payments in 200-plus markets for 2.4-3.9 per cent, plus a Dh1.2-Dh1.8 currency conversion charge. The US provider processes online shop and mobile transactions and has 17,000-plus active digital commerce users.
• PayPal is probably the best-known online goods payment method - usually used for eBay purchases - but can be used to receive funds, providing everyone’s signed up. Costs from 2.9 per cent plus Dh1.2 per transaction.
More coverage from the Future Forum
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Fight card
1. Bantamweight: Victor Nunes (BRA) v Siyovush Gulmamadov (TJK)
2. Featherweight: Hussein Salim (IRQ) v Shakhriyor Juraev (UZB)
3. Catchweight 80kg: Rashed Dawood (UAE) v Khamza Yamadaev (RUS)
4. Lightweight: Ho Taek-oh (KOR) v Ronald Girones (CUB)
5. Lightweight: Arthur Zaynukov (RUS) v Damien Lapilus (FRA)
6. Bantamweight: Vinicius de Oliveira (BRA) v Furkatbek Yokubov (RUS)
7. Featherweight: Movlid Khaybulaev (RUS) v Zaka Fatullazade (AZE)
8. Flyweight: Shannon Ross (TUR) v Donovon Freelow (USA)
9. Lightweight: Mohammad Yahya (UAE) v Dan Collins (GBR)
10. Catchweight 73kg: Islam Mamedov (RUS) v Martun Mezhulmyan (ARM)
11. Bantamweight World title: Jaures Dea (CAM) v Xavier Alaoui (MAR)
12. Flyweight World title: Manon Fiorot (FRA) v Gabriela Campo (ARG)
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Normcore explained
Something of a fashion anomaly, normcore is essentially a celebration of the unremarkable. The term was first popularised by an article in New York magazine in 2014 and has been dubbed “ugly”, “bland’ and "anti-style" by fashion writers. It’s hallmarks are comfort, a lack of pretentiousness and neutrality – it is a trend for those who would rather not stand out from the crowd. For the most part, the style is unisex, favouring loose silhouettes, thrift-shop threads, baseball caps and boyish trainers. It is important to note that normcore is not synonymous with cheapness or low quality; there are high-fashion brands, including Parisian label Vetements, that specialise in this style. Embraced by fashion-forward street-style stars around the globe, it’s uptake in the UAE has been relatively slow.
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl, 48V hybrid
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 325bhp
Torque: 450Nm
Price: Dh289,000
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
GIANT REVIEW
Starring: Amir El-Masry, Pierce Brosnan
Director: Athale
Rating: 4/5
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Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
'Munich: The Edge of War'
Director: Christian Schwochow
Starring: George MacKay, Jannis Niewohner, Jeremy Irons
Rating: 3/5
Five expert hiking tips
Always check the weather forecast before setting off
Make sure you have plenty of water
Set off early to avoid sudden weather changes in the afternoon
Wear appropriate clothing and footwear
Take your litter home with you
