Adventure Vacation Ideas in Jebel Jais

The rugged landscape of the Jebel Jais Mountains is well known for its inspirational landscapes and being the United Arab Emirates’ highest mountain. The mountains are home to old stone shepherd crofts, craggy walks, meandering switchback roads, thrilling adventures and the loftiest restaurant in the country. The coastline is peppered with ancient fishing villages, date plantations, imposing forts and world-class hotels and resorts. 

The Hajar mountain range spans from Ras Al Khaimah to the Musandam Peninsula on the coast of Oman. It is one of the most impressive destinations on the Arabian Peninsula. It is 100 km in width and 700 km in length, straddles the two countries, and is the highest mountain range in the region. The United Arab Emirates is a dry country and only encounters a smidgen of rain several times a year. When the rain does appear, the mysterious lands fill with water and become busy watering holes for goats, camels, and the occasional lonesome donkey, whilst the meadow flowers super bloom and attract the mountain’s bees and butterflies.

The Emirate is world-known for its many adrenaline sports and activities, the world’s longest zip-line Jais Flight, the challenging Jais Ropes Course, or the thrilling soon-to-open Jais Sledder. Throughout the Jebel Jais mountain peak, you can explore a plethora of experiences from peaceful walks along goat-trodden paths or learning survival skills from the master of the wild, British adventurer Bear Grylls. There are various dining options at different levels on the mountains, all with spectacular views, including 1484 by Puro, which is at 1,484 metres above sea level and, by far, the highest in the country.

Most visitors to the Jebel Jais mountains want to explore the intriguing history, which is thought to date back 70-million years, the nature and adventure-seeking thrills. Emirati’s are fiercely proud of their culture, history, ancient stories, and Ras Al Khaimah’s folkloric lands. The Jebel Jais attracts people from across the world searching for thrilling adventures. 

Jais Flight 

If you are a thrill-seeker, you will enjoy the adrenaline-fueled experience that takes you at knee-trembling speeds of up to 150 kmph. Spend almost three hair-raising minutes flying across deep ravines, canyons and through the jagged peaks that lie 1680 metres above sea level. The Jais Flight is likened to the remarkable trajectory of a hunting falcon. It’s fast, it’s long, and it’s fun!

Jais Sledder

The Jais Sledder sits comfortably on a low-slung track. You’ll reach up to 40 kilometres per hour as you hurtle down the Jebel Jais mountains swerving through glorious panoramas with views of the spectacular coastline. The fully-controllable ride covers 1,885 exhilarating metres of hairpin curves and undulating waves that take seven minutes from top to bottom. You’ll feel that the speeds seem amplified ten-fold because you are sitting so close to the ground. The sleds are designed to seat two people comfortably, one in front and the other in the back. Jais Sledder is opening soon.

Jais Ropes Course

The Jais Ropes Course is a self-guided ropes course that hovers 10-metres above the ground. You’ll enjoy the thrilling hour-long knee-trembling experience over a two-level rope and bridge course. You’ll navigate obstacles on the seemingly floating giant climbing frame in the sky. Rope swings, death-defyingly narrow bicycle links, rickety bridges, balancing stands, swinging loops, and crawl tunnels will challenge your bravery. 

Bear Grylls Explorers Camp

Bear Grylls and his hand-picked team of survival experts have curated an extraordinary collection of survival experiences in the towering Jebel Jais mountains. The local team has developed various challenges using Bear’s tried and tested dynamic survival methods and techniques that have been televised worldwide, watched by billions and practised by few. You’ll acquire survival knife skills, wilderness first aid, fire lighting techniques and different rope skills like tying knots and making harnesses. All of these skills will culminate in you navigating tricky terrains such as steep cliffs, ridges and wadis. Bear’s team will teach you how to build emergency shelters to protect you against inclement weather and shield you from attacks in the wild.

Jais Via Ferrata

Via Ferrata is Italian for ‘iron path’. Climbers traverse a 470-metre course which includes two short zip-line sections. The guided climb is 120 metres above sea level at the highest point, and no prior climbing experience is necessary. Professional instructors will guide you along the spectacular route. The Via Ferrata is open in the cooler months between November and April. There are three individual start and completion points for the trekking and hiking experience of a lifetime. 

Jais Viewing Deck Park

The dramatic climb to the viewing deck park takes you 1,250 metres above sea level and almost 30 km into the heart of the mountains. The roads are well made and are accessible by cars, 4X4s, motorbikes, and cycles. The hairpin road gloriously meanders through ruddy barren landscapes, deep chasms and rugged cliffs. On your way up, there are various photogenic opportunities. Just shy of the summit is the ultimate viewing deck that affords breathtaking views across more of the Hajar mountain range, rolling desert-scapes, and finally, the Arabian Gulf. 

Hiking

Various designated mountain trails are suited to walkers of all experience levels. Six trails have a cumulative distance of 16km, each with its own challenges through the diverse mountain ecosystem. The hiking trails are throughout the upper and lower segments of the mountains. If you plan to have an entire day or two in the mountains, then you’ll have time to explore more of the Jebel Jais activities, including back-to-nature camping and the sky maze and tour.  

Dhayah Fort

Dhayah Fort, a castle-like spectacle, is on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List and stands proud amidst the arid mountains and the fertile date wadis. The fort forms the centre of this lush oasis. It boasts spectacular 360-degree views from the Jebel Jais mountains across palm trees and verdant lands to neighbouring Oman and down to the sea. Dhayah Fort is the only hill fort remaining in the United Arab Emirates. It dates back to the Late Bronze Age (1600 – 1300 BC) when locals used it for settlement and fortification. The twin-peaked golden mud-brick fortress was built during the 19th century and restored in 2011. It is an important historical monument where the 1819 battle between British troops and local Qawasim tribes took place. It’s worth climbing the zigzagging steps to bear witness to the spectacular views.

1484 by Puro

1484 by Puro is at 1,484 metres above sea level and is the highest restaurant in the country. The modern restaurant has floor-to-ceiling windows that lead to expansive terraces that boast otherworldly views across the mountains. The cleverly designed menu has dishes from around the world. The traditional shakshuka is made with locally sourced ingredients, or you can enjoy the flavours of Korea with crispy fried chicken. There is fish and chips from the UK, beef salad from Thailand and delicious pasta and pizza from Italy.