Jebel Jais named best hiking destination in the UAE in new global list

The Ras Al Khaimah attraction topped the list of 20 trails in the Emirates

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  1. Jebel Jais in Ras Al Khaimah, the UAE's highest peak, has been named the best destination for hikers in the country in a new list compiled by UK retailer sportshoes.com. Photo: RAKTDA

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  2. Fossil Rock in Sharjah is second on the list. Photo: Alamy

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  3. Third is Wadi Shawka, also in Ras Al Khaimah. Photo: Moadh Bukhash

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  4. Mleiha in Sharjah is third on list. Photo: Hiking Trails

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  5. Wadi Naqab in Ras Al Khaimah. Photo: Wikipedia

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  6. Jebel Hafeet in Al Ain comes in on sixth postition. Pawan Singh / The National

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  7. Wadi Ghalilah, Ras Al Khaimah. Silvia Razgova / The National

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  8. Wadi Tayyibah, Fujairah. Photo: Wikipedia

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  9. Hatta trails in Hatta, Dubai. Photo: Dubai Tourism

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  10. Wadi Madha in Fujairah. Photo: Screengrab

The UAE's highest peak has been named the best destination for hikers in the UAE. Part of the Hajar mountain range, Jebel Jais in Ras Al Khaimah was picked as the top choice from among 20 hiking routes in the country, in a new list compiled by UK retailer SportsShoes.com.

"With an elevation of 1,934 metres, Jebel Jais takes around five to 10 hours round trip to climb the 30 kilometre round route. The famous Stairway to Heaven route is commonly done with the assistance of a guide, due to it being a particularly tricky route," the report said.

Scroll through the gallery below for pictures of Highlander55, a multi-day trek across Jebel Jais, and other Ras Al Khaimah mountain adventures:

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  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

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  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

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  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

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  Bear Grylls Explorer Camp UAE offers a range of survival skills courses from the foothills of Jebel Jais. Photo: Talal Shehab

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  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

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  There are spots to take a break at the Bear Grylls camp. Photo: Talal Shehab

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  Overnight accommodation is also available at the Bear Grylls camp. Photo: Talal Shehab

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  The Jebel Jais upper trail for hikers starts close to the mountain’s viewing deck. Photo: Talal Shehab

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  Jebel Jais upper trail map. Photo: Talal Shehab

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  Fadi Hachicho recommends Wadi Showka for mountain biking. Photo: Fadi Hachicho

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  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

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  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

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  Hachicho also recommends what he calls an 'adult playground' at Wadi Rams. Photo: Fadi Hachicho

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  Adventurati Outdoor leads groups in Wadi Rams for scrambling, bouldering and abseiling as part of its Wonderwall trip. Photo: Fadi Hachicho

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  Wadi Rams is a nature-built obstacle course with steep drops and huge boulders. Photo: Fadi Hachicho

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  Trident canyon in Wadi Shah is another recommendation from adventurer Emanuele Gallone. Photo: Emanuele Gallone

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  Trident canyon in Ras Al Khaimah. Photo: Emanuele Gallone

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  Thunder canyon in Dayah is also recommended for canyoning by Gallone. Photo: Emanuele Gallone

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  Thunder canyon in Ras Al Khaimah. Photo: Emanuele Gallone

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  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

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  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

Sharjah's Fossil Rock came in second, with Wadi Shawka, also in Ras Al Khaimah, rounding up the top three.

Other trails that made it to the Top 10 include Wadi Naqab and Wadi Ghalilah in Ras Al Khaimah, Wadi Tayyibah and Wadi Madha in Fujairah, Mleiha in Sharjah, Hatta trails in Dubai and Jebel Hafeet in Al Ain, which was recently named one of the most picturesque road trip routes in the world.

Below are the top 10 best hiking destinations in the UAE:

1. Jebel Jais
2. Fossil Rock
3. Wadi Shawka
4. Mleiha
5. Wadi Naqab
6. Jebel Hafeet Al Ain
7. Wadi Ghalilah
8. Wadi Tayyibah
9. Hatta Trails
10. Wadi Madha

The list released by SportsShoes also named the world's best destinations for a hiking holiday, with Spain as the most popular, followed closely by Japan and England.

Compiled by analysing Google searches of more than 500 hiking routes, along with walking and hiking holidays in more than 100 countries, the data was then combined with the number of Instagram hashtags for each to arrive at the final list.

Ras Al Khaimah's Jebel Jais will be home to Highlander - the GCC's first multi-day hiking adventure. Courtesy RAKTDA

Spain topped the list as the best hiking holiday destination "offering shimmering coastal paths, rugged mountain ranges and an ideal climate for hiking", the company said.

There were 170,830 annual searches and 3,100 hashtags associated with a hiking adventure there.

"Sacred pilgrimage Camino de Santiago is the best hiking route in Spain. The full route takes over a month to complete and has been traversed for hundreds of years by travellers from all over the world," the study said. "Caminito del Rey is the second most popular Spanish hike, and although much shorter than Camino de Santiago, coming in at just 7km, this steep trek is a bucket list item for adrenaline seeking hikers. The third best Spanish hike is the Cami de Ronda, a trail which hugs the rugged Costa Brava coastline, and offers different sections for those of any hiking level."

Japan also ranked high "for its stunning range of snow-topped mountain climbs, lush green forest paths and cultural offering".

"Unesco World Heritage Site Yakushima comes in as the best hiking destination, surrounded by lush tropical forests. For those keen to take in architecture during their climb, the Daibutsu Hike, which comes in second, allows hikers to explore atmospheric temples and beautiful shrines along the way.

"Coming in third, The Seven Waterfalls of Kawazu can be viewed on a stunning trail which winds its way through the forest for about one kilometre, and offers a hot spring resort at the base for travellers to relax and unwind post-hike," according to the SportsShoes.

England, third on the list, had more than 124,000 searches and 1,600 hashtags for hiking holidays, followed by Scotland. Australia comes in fifth place, with more than 20,000 searches and 54,155 hashtags.

Below are top 10 best hiking holiday destinations in the world:

1. Spain
2. Japan
3. England
4. Scotland
5. Australia
6. Germany
7. France
8. Wales
9. Italy
10. Northern Ireland