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Al Hail Castle. Photo: UAE Trekkers
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Wadi Helo is a Unesco Heritage Site in Fujairah recommended by Amy Subaey, managing director of UAE Trekkers. Photo: UAE Trekkers
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An old fort in Wadi Helo. The whole trail is about 1km long and only takes about an hour, says Subaey. Photo: UAE Trekkers
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A farm in Wadi Helo. Photo: UAE Trekkers
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A sunset view at Wadi Helo. Photo: UAE Trekkers
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Wadi Showka in Ras Al Khaimah is well known among the UAE’s hikers, says Paul Oliver, founder of Absolute Adventure. Photo: Absolute Adventure
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Oliver has discovered an alternative route around Wadi Showka that not many people are aware of. Photo: Absolute Adventure
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The Wadi Showka trail is about a three-hour hike in total. Photo: Absolute Adventure
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History buffs should also make a beeline for Sharjah’s Fossil Rock in Mleiha, says Oliver. Photo: Absolute Adventure
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The hike in Mleiha leads through several caves. Photo: Absolute Adventure
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The hike from Wadi Sena to Wadi Kub in Ras Al Khaimah is stunning, says Bryan Doyle, general manager of The Adventure Centre. Photo: The Adventure Centre
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Another of Doyle’s favourite trails in RAK begins from Wadi Kub, deep in the Hajar Mountains. Photo: The Adventure Centre
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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. Photo: Absolute Adventure
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An area of what's known as the 'Tomb Raider Trek' in Sharjah. Photo: Absolute Adventure
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For more experienced hikers, Subaey recommends Wadi Dahir in Fujairah for an invigorating five-hour loop through mountains and valleys. Photo: UAE Trekkers
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Wadi Dahir offers one of Subaey's favourite hikes of all time in the UAE. Photo: UAE Trekkers
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Hatta in Dubai is great for beginner hikers, says Subaey. Photo: UAE Trekkers
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A hike around Al Hail in Fujairah is perfect if you’re looking for a bit of culture, says Subaey. Photo: UAE Trekkers
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Al Hail Castle. Photo: UAE Trekkers
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Wadi Helo is a Unesco Heritage Site in Fujairah recommended by Amy Subaey, managing director of UAE Trekkers. Photo: UAE Trekkers
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An old fort in Wadi Helo. The whole trail is about 1km long and only takes about an hour, says Subaey. Photo: UAE Trekkers
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/2H4RWLNMI5F33DGX2RKKBLUYYA.jpg?smart=true&auth=b6be4cd463b8287b75dd325c81c5df07c90b4c6fef6780106a0e0d6e9fd57dc5&width=400&height=225)
A farm in Wadi Helo. Photo: UAE Trekkers
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A sunset view at Wadi Helo. Photo: UAE Trekkers
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Wadi Showka in Ras Al Khaimah is well known among the UAE’s hikers, says Paul Oliver, founder of Absolute Adventure. Photo: Absolute Adventure
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WLOFXW7UHFC7RAGT6PBQA7BVCQ.jpeg?smart=true&auth=936c57357f3ea0901d8039d98d107b78a9d7795b15a3e3c0632dcb6fb10710bd&width=400&height=225)
Oliver has discovered an alternative route around Wadi Showka that not many people are aware of. Photo: Absolute Adventure
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/7O3WWFPDIRGEDCJFGYAYV7PXOE.jpeg?smart=true&auth=13753142c69ef841d32eb4ca4e0545aa48bb04d992c957b20b0ef81130971324&width=400&height=225)
The Wadi Showka trail is about a three-hour hike in total. Photo: Absolute Adventure
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ZHDW3BUQYNDUNA7R3ZS7EQIAPU.jpg?smart=true&auth=c0ae3eed7a98e681ae523200a554d8715436adb26a3b017272969792d1d1132a&width=400&height=225)
History buffs should also make a beeline for Sharjah’s Fossil Rock in Mleiha, says Oliver. Photo: Absolute Adventure
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/KD6BS76SABGOBFP5SZ6H2FNNQI.jpg?smart=true&auth=679e80fd1bdd362a87c342bf10216a19f9de05a1e5bdce0f075350c48b7a1cf1&width=400&height=225)
The hike in Mleiha leads through several caves. Photo: Absolute Adventure
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The hike from Wadi Sena to Wadi Kub in Ras Al Khaimah is stunning, says Bryan Doyle, general manager of The Adventure Centre. Photo: The Adventure Centre
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5A5JJESFEBD3HCH5WCZJ5YJPAU.jpg?smart=true&auth=48927d39a60675466595b3b7e35d1811aba39bdf4594e020f5acb288efd7edcd&width=400&height=225)
Another of Doyle’s favourite trails in RAK begins from Wadi Kub, deep in the Hajar Mountains. Photo: The Adventure Centre
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6WTDXIGGPNEPFBDNGN3JTGLAEY.jpg?smart=true&auth=fcdf783688fd764b0dba83ac75eaa147ebcbbbd60c589f0b0630136343b6f03e&width=400&height=225)
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. Photo: Absolute Adventure
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YZPZMUAF7JB3TGW7YNMWOZFS3M.jpg?smart=true&auth=7b22c6911cfbf34b97970ffd7b32dce3ab89f09c34795fc57a6944e3d731bf82&width=400&height=225)
An area of what's known as the 'Tomb Raider Trek' in Sharjah. Photo: Absolute Adventure
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/2OLETOPIHZFRRJVFS4CPBEISZQ.jpeg?smart=true&auth=9867b94e634116f9125b33cb07969fa1281a6fb264b3ca323e3c0e70ddbffdf0&width=400&height=225)
For more experienced hikers, Subaey recommends Wadi Dahir in Fujairah for an invigorating five-hour loop through mountains and valleys. Photo: UAE Trekkers
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3EFUKWDC6BBFPPFDMXZCRUME7Y.jpeg?smart=true&auth=d9a4b9cf97aa745ca6451fedb0b271c34ac53b069a85522f24f066fa138b79a8&width=400&height=225)
Wadi Dahir offers one of Subaey's favourite hikes of all time in the UAE. Photo: UAE Trekkers
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Hatta in Dubai is great for beginner hikers, says Subaey. Photo: UAE Trekkers
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A hike around Al Hail in Fujairah is perfect if you’re looking for a bit of culture, says Subaey. Photo: UAE Trekkers
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Al Hail Castle. Photo: UAE Trekkers
Hidden gems of the UAE: nine secluded hiking trails loved by trekkers
From wadi watering holes and hidden beaches to 4,000-year-old mountain tombs and archaeological sites, expert guides reveal their top outdoor walks
Emma Pearson
12 January, 2022
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