Hajar Mountain Adventures

The Hajar Mountains attract visitors worldwide to enjoy the relatively unexplored peaks, adventures and world-class activities. It’s one of the most impressive destinations on the Arabian Peninsula and spans from Ras Al Khaimah on the eastern side of the United Arab Emirates to the Musandam Peninsula on the northeastern side of Oman. The range is 700 kilometres long and 100 kilometres wide. The continental collision near the Arabian–Eurasian convergent plate boundary shaped the mountains more than 70 million years ago, forming the highest peak in the UAE, 1,934 metres above sea level.

Activities 

Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) licenses forward-thinking Hajar Mountain Adventures to ensure that activities in the mountains are sustainable for the new generations to continue enjoying their inimitable beauty well into the future. Hajar Mountain Adventures works to ensure the protection of indigenous flora, fauna, rare animals and the small number of tribal people that have inhabited the mountains for centuries.

Mountain Hiking

Hajar Mountain Adventures has curated a collection of well-considered activities that allow keen hikers access to some of the most extraordinary historical sites, lowland hills, wadi terrains and craggy mountain paths. Qualified in the UK and the UAE military, and with over 15 years of enviable mountain knowledge, the guide tailors each hike to different fitness and experience levels. Meander the well-trodden shepherd pathways and gain insight into how they continue to live in the seemingly barren landscapes. The advanced hikes take experienced explorers deep into the mountains where few have travelled over rising wadis, boulder fields and steep ridge lines.

The Jebel Jais mountains have numerous routes and are considered the best in the United Arab Emirates. The Stairway to Heaven is the most challenging course and is only completed by advanced hikers due to its tricky nature.

Mountain Hiking

Rock Climbing and Abseiling 

Whether you are a complete novice or building upon your existing skills, the Hajar Mountain Adventures instructors will help you improve your climbing practices and abseiling skills. They will teach you how to climb traditionally, how to use the appropriate safety equipment properly, encourage more advanced climbers to complete exhilarating sports routes or give instruction to be a successful lead climber. The bespoke training days will pique your interest and push you to the next level.

Rock Climbing and Abseiling

Dry Canyoneering  

Dry canyoneering is not for the faint-hearted; it’s an increasingly popular mountaineering technique involving various skills such as rappelling, abseiling, climbing, scrambling and walking. Your instructor will lead you through the Hajar mountains and navigate various cliff walls, canyons, valleys, and wadis. The weather and rare waters have carved out the moonscape over millions of years, giving each canyon a unique personality. Canyoneers can choose from half or full-day courses and will safely navigate up to 70-metre drops.

Dry Canyoneering

Be Prepared

Whilst hiking is an excellent pastime, it can also be challenging and dangerous if you are not adequately equipped and prepared. Hajar Mountain Adventures strives to provide a high level of safety within the mountains. Hiking in such terrains without the appropriate training or guidance should not be attempted alone or with unauthorised guides. RAKTDA has strategically placed hiking safety, tips and rules signs reminding you to plan your route carefully, stay on official trails, wear appropriate clothing and respect private property. It’s essential to check that Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority endorses your guide’s license for your own safety.

Planning and Booking

Most of the activities range between three and six hours in duration. They are tailor-made to suit each group depending on the trails, participants, levels of fitness, the time of year and expected weather conditions.