![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IDRBHUPCUNFYVBI35S2POQ7U3U.jpg?smart=true&auth=01ca9669e5ccd56acf675a0664650abd7ac84e61b3103f5f491b65f88362ffd6&width=400&height=225)
The site, which was named in honour of rock star David Bowie, is about a two-hour drive from Dubai and can be easily located on Google Maps. Photo: Emanuele Gallone
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/NLORN44Z7BHZ3JR46SBOANQAXU.jpg?smart=true&auth=be1c0415e0d537458ab57ea17619c2696fcb8b73434edfd3aee1f6a5f5071246&width=400&height=225)
Highlander is a 51-kilometre course for hikers and the longest in the UAE, taking people right to the top of Jebel Jais. Photo: Predrag Vuckovic
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/A5KINMZVVND5TIP3HDSSOAJ5TQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=a65f2c9e3f35adf20b1437ca3cb5e5a58c4d5fb366f94407afce66e24d94b4ad&width=400&height=225)
Managing partner of Adventurati Outdoor, Fadi Hachicho, says the Highlander trail is ideal for trail runners who want to push their limits. Photo: Predrag Vuckovic
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/4CC3Q2JXHNHBRK4ALXK3ZPVSJE.jpg?smart=true&auth=6983130632dbb24690fab469c17b31feb2fa73ceaadfe384e95071f343932c7a&width=400&height=225)
The Highlander route takes you right to the top of Jebel Jais, past the observation deck and right down to Wadi Haqeel. Photo: Predrag Vuckovic
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BVO4SUF3DBB33E34TO4TE7C35Q.jpg?smart=true&auth=2246fbd6b9b41fe8c7549b6cb9a03ed45d910edff036d184984a5b7c45e77d81&width=400&height=225)
Bear Grylls Explorer Camp UAE offers a range of survival skills courses from the foothills of Jebel Jais. Photo: Talal Shehab
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/G57EBMSHGZGOJLEGMVYM6KENJY.jpg?smart=true&auth=ed6d44c3702cdd081204c17219e5d5068e027e6d0cb1c86531803f9a4e4dd119&width=400&height=225)
It offers a range of survival courses, from beginner level right through to primal survival, covering everything from learning to build a fire to making shelters, says camp manager Talal Shehab. Photo: Talal Shehab
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5MGYM4YHGRG7VHL3P2KVLJLVQI.jpeg?smart=true&auth=77fe81faf7adfddeb180ecbfd2ea45869ce967035018641db2abed0b6f3a8e70&width=400&height=225)
There are spots to take a break at the Bear Grylls camp. Photo: Talal Shehab
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HZJDNYECZVBI5GQ5LFBDQH4FGE.jpeg?smart=true&auth=f613225c7ade4627980f567c331161de1bca7caa28df3d39dc806d6101a702f9&width=400&height=225)
Overnight accommodation is also available at the Bear Grylls camp. Photo: Talal Shehab
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/EB6KN64BANGKXCBC4BOYUDEKFU.jpg?smart=true&auth=33fa797a0d48e846d07e83d0de999cf150af1492e40ee4609e1f51e9d52978f7&width=400&height=225)
The Jebel Jais upper trail for hikers starts close to the mountain’s viewing deck. Photo: Talal Shehab
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ZPFQ32MN3VBYBLNVNQAU6OM6JY.jpg?smart=true&auth=87cf8655bec82c9b35165b85fc959750f6bbe4dede0f22f591e08b67c7395e64&width=400&height=225)
Jebel Jais upper trail map. Photo: Talal Shehab
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/2C63SMINLZG45BT3OMDHMY5MIE.jpg?smart=true&auth=69ee5f3f8f5086218204bd781f59587dc748a20e7dd26995c578ae6ff829fa24&width=400&height=225)
Fadi Hachicho recommends Wadi Showka for mountain biking. Photo: Fadi Hachicho
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ILIHZXTY6VA6VFZ65YMWL6DMQU.jpg?smart=true&auth=b1d346b3eb1040b06d7123bef1d2749ffd5c587ccd28686e1deec46ea6b5cf3b&width=400&height=225)
Wadi Showka is rich in water pools and there’s a lot of greenery and wildlife to discover there, including butterflies, snakes and turtles, says Hachicho. Photo: Fadi Hachicho
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/P7AQQDEACJANFBO45ZMHANPUYU.jpg?smart=true&auth=daf1714c21dea77e262bda42c03e8187affada53fb61a90c1c5b9b4c9ebde40e&width=400&height=225)
Wadi Showka is incredible for mountain biking and there’s a variety of different ramps and jumps for the daredevils, says Hachicho. Photo: Fadi Hachicho
Hachicho also recommends what he calls an 'adult playground' at Wadi Rams. Photo: Fadi Hachicho
Adventurati Outdoor leads groups in Wadi Rams for scrambling, bouldering and abseiling as part of its Wonderwall trip. Photo: Fadi Hachicho
Wadi Rams is a nature-built obstacle course with steep drops and huge boulders. Photo: Fadi Hachicho
Trident canyon in Wadi Shah is another recommendation from adventurer Emanuele Gallone. Photo: Emanuele Gallone
Trident canyon in Ras Al Khaimah. Photo: Emanuele Gallone
Thunder canyon in Dayah is also recommended for canyoning by Gallone. Photo: Emanuele Gallone
Thunder canyon in Ras Al Khaimah. Photo: Emanuele Gallone
For the founder of UAE Rock Climbing, Emanuele Gallone, nowhere in the UAE compares to Stardust crag, a climbing destination that was discovered in 2015. Photo: Emanuele Gallone
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IDRBHUPCUNFYVBI35S2POQ7U3U.jpg?smart=true&auth=01ca9669e5ccd56acf675a0664650abd7ac84e61b3103f5f491b65f88362ffd6&width=400&height=225)
The site, which was named in honour of rock star David Bowie, is about a two-hour drive from Dubai and can be easily located on Google Maps. Photo: Emanuele Gallone
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/NLORN44Z7BHZ3JR46SBOANQAXU.jpg?smart=true&auth=be1c0415e0d537458ab57ea17619c2696fcb8b73434edfd3aee1f6a5f5071246&width=400&height=225)
Highlander is a 51-kilometre course for hikers and the longest in the UAE, taking people right to the top of Jebel Jais. Photo: Predrag Vuckovic
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/A5KINMZVVND5TIP3HDSSOAJ5TQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=a65f2c9e3f35adf20b1437ca3cb5e5a58c4d5fb366f94407afce66e24d94b4ad&width=400&height=225)
Managing partner of Adventurati Outdoor, Fadi Hachicho, says the Highlander trail is ideal for trail runners who want to push their limits. Photo: Predrag Vuckovic
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/4CC3Q2JXHNHBRK4ALXK3ZPVSJE.jpg?smart=true&auth=6983130632dbb24690fab469c17b31feb2fa73ceaadfe384e95071f343932c7a&width=400&height=225)
The Highlander route takes you right to the top of Jebel Jais, past the observation deck and right down to Wadi Haqeel. Photo: Predrag Vuckovic
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BVO4SUF3DBB33E34TO4TE7C35Q.jpg?smart=true&auth=2246fbd6b9b41fe8c7549b6cb9a03ed45d910edff036d184984a5b7c45e77d81&width=400&height=225)
Bear Grylls Explorer Camp UAE offers a range of survival skills courses from the foothills of Jebel Jais. Photo: Talal Shehab
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/G57EBMSHGZGOJLEGMVYM6KENJY.jpg?smart=true&auth=ed6d44c3702cdd081204c17219e5d5068e027e6d0cb1c86531803f9a4e4dd119&width=400&height=225)
It offers a range of survival courses, from beginner level right through to primal survival, covering everything from learning to build a fire to making shelters, says camp manager Talal Shehab. Photo: Talal Shehab
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5MGYM4YHGRG7VHL3P2KVLJLVQI.jpeg?smart=true&auth=77fe81faf7adfddeb180ecbfd2ea45869ce967035018641db2abed0b6f3a8e70&width=400&height=225)
There are spots to take a break at the Bear Grylls camp. Photo: Talal Shehab
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HZJDNYECZVBI5GQ5LFBDQH4FGE.jpeg?smart=true&auth=f613225c7ade4627980f567c331161de1bca7caa28df3d39dc806d6101a702f9&width=400&height=225)
Overnight accommodation is also available at the Bear Grylls camp. Photo: Talal Shehab
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/EB6KN64BANGKXCBC4BOYUDEKFU.jpg?smart=true&auth=33fa797a0d48e846d07e83d0de999cf150af1492e40ee4609e1f51e9d52978f7&width=400&height=225)
The Jebel Jais upper trail for hikers starts close to the mountain’s viewing deck. Photo: Talal Shehab
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ZPFQ32MN3VBYBLNVNQAU6OM6JY.jpg?smart=true&auth=87cf8655bec82c9b35165b85fc959750f6bbe4dede0f22f591e08b67c7395e64&width=400&height=225)
Jebel Jais upper trail map. Photo: Talal Shehab
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/2C63SMINLZG45BT3OMDHMY5MIE.jpg?smart=true&auth=69ee5f3f8f5086218204bd781f59587dc748a20e7dd26995c578ae6ff829fa24&width=400&height=225)
Fadi Hachicho recommends Wadi Showka for mountain biking. Photo: Fadi Hachicho
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ILIHZXTY6VA6VFZ65YMWL6DMQU.jpg?smart=true&auth=b1d346b3eb1040b06d7123bef1d2749ffd5c587ccd28686e1deec46ea6b5cf3b&width=400&height=225)
Wadi Showka is rich in water pools and there’s a lot of greenery and wildlife to discover there, including butterflies, snakes and turtles, says Hachicho. Photo: Fadi Hachicho
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/P7AQQDEACJANFBO45ZMHANPUYU.jpg?smart=true&auth=daf1714c21dea77e262bda42c03e8187affada53fb61a90c1c5b9b4c9ebde40e&width=400&height=225)
Wadi Showka is incredible for mountain biking and there’s a variety of different ramps and jumps for the daredevils, says Hachicho. Photo: Fadi Hachicho
Hachicho also recommends what he calls an 'adult playground' at Wadi Rams. Photo: Fadi Hachicho
Adventurati Outdoor leads groups in Wadi Rams for scrambling, bouldering and abseiling as part of its Wonderwall trip. Photo: Fadi Hachicho
Wadi Rams is a nature-built obstacle course with steep drops and huge boulders. Photo: Fadi Hachicho
Trident canyon in Wadi Shah is another recommendation from adventurer Emanuele Gallone. Photo: Emanuele Gallone
Trident canyon in Ras Al Khaimah. Photo: Emanuele Gallone
Thunder canyon in Dayah is also recommended for canyoning by Gallone. Photo: Emanuele Gallone
Thunder canyon in Ras Al Khaimah. Photo: Emanuele Gallone
For the founder of UAE Rock Climbing, Emanuele Gallone, nowhere in the UAE compares to Stardust crag, a climbing destination that was discovered in 2015. Photo: Emanuele Gallone
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IDRBHUPCUNFYVBI35S2POQ7U3U.jpg?smart=true&auth=01ca9669e5ccd56acf675a0664650abd7ac84e61b3103f5f491b65f88362ffd6&width=400&height=225)
The site, which was named in honour of rock star David Bowie, is about a two-hour drive from Dubai and can be easily located on Google Maps. Photo: Emanuele Gallone
Hidden gems of the UAE: eight mountain adventures in Ras Al Khaimah
From canyoning to rock climbing and mountain biking, we enter the depths of the Hajar Mountains with the experts
Emma Pearson
27 January, 2022
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