Ras Al Khaimah has the best hiking in the UAE. Full stop. The Hajar Mountains rise from the coast to almost 2,000 metres, and the trails range from gentle wadi walks to technical scrambles that will leave your legs shaking. Here are the 9 routes we go back to.
WOW-RAK Expert Tip: Hiking season in RAK runs October to April. From May to September, mountain temperatures still hit 38C plus by 10am. Start at sunrise or skip it.
Quick Comparison: All 9 Trails
| Trail | Difficulty | Distance | Time | Cost |
| Wadi Shawka loop | Easy | 5 km | 2 hrs | Free |
| Jebel Jais Viewing Deck walk | Easy | 2 km | 45 min | AED 10 |
| Wadi Bih lower section | Moderate | 8 km | 3-4 hrs | Free |
| Jais Sky Tour (zipline plus walk) | Moderate | 3 km | 2 hrs | AED 280 |
| Stairway to Heaven | Hard | 12 km | 8-10 hrs | Free |
| Jebel Jais Via Ferrata | Hard | Half day | 4-5 hrs | AED 350 |
| Wadi Ghalilah loop | Hard | 14 km | 7-9 hrs | Free |
| Jebel Qihwi summit | Hard | 10 km | 6-7 hrs | Free |
| Jais Flight zipline access | Easy walk | 500 m | 30 min | AED 370 |
1. Wadi Shawka (Easy)
The most family-friendly hike in the country. A flat wadi walk between palm groves and rock pools, with shaded picnic spots and easy parking. Kids handle it. Strollers do not.
Best for: First-time hikers, families with children over 5, anyone wanting a half-day adventure without committing to a mountain.
Distance: 5 km loop. Elevation: 80 m. Trailhead: Wadi Shawka parking, 45 minutes from RAK City.
2. Jebel Jais Viewing Deck Walk (Easy)
The newest official trail in the emirate. Paved, accessible and ends at the highest viewing point in the UAE. The walk itself takes 30 to 45 minutes one way and the view is genuinely world-class.
Entry costs AED 10 per person from January 2026. Full details in our Dubai to Jebel Jais guide.
3. Wadi Bih Lower Section (Moderate)
Wadi Bih is the old donkey track that connected RAK to Musandam before the road was built. The lower 8 km is moderate, well-defined and rewards you with falaj channels, abandoned stone houses and serious silence.
WOW-RAK Expert Tip: Wadi Bih is right on the Oman border. Stop at the obvious turnaround point – locals will tell you. Crossing accidentally creates real paperwork headaches.
4. Jais Sky Tour (Moderate)
A guided zipline plus short hike combo run by the Jais Adventure Centre. AED 280, 2 hours, includes 6 ziplines and a stretch of mountain trail. Great if you want adventure without the commitment of a full hike.
5. Stairway to Heaven (Hard)
The most famous and most punishing hike in the UAE. 12 km, around 1,400 metres of elevation, scrambling on exposed rock, and a final section that requires both hands. You start at Wadi Ghalilah and end at the rim of the Hajar plateau.
Plan for 8 to 10 hours moving time. Carry at least 4 litres of water per person. Do not attempt solo. Do not attempt without GPS. People get lost on this trail every season.
WOW-RAK Expert Tip: Do not start Stairway to Heaven later than 6am, even in winter. Descending in the dark is how accidents happen here.
6. Jebel Jais Via Ferrata (Hard)
The Middle East’s first via ferrata. AED 350 per person, includes harness, helmet, lanyard and a certified guide. You climb a fixed-rope route up a vertical Jebel Jais cliff and finish with a horizontal cable traverse. Not for those scared of heights.
7. Wadi Ghalilah Loop (Hard)
The full circuit through Wadi Ghalilah, past abandoned mountain villages, with 1,000 metres of climbing. Easier than Stairway to Heaven but still a serious day out. Best in December and January.
8. Jebel Qihwi Summit (Hard)
Jebel Qihwi is the second-highest peak in the UAE. The trail starts on the Omani side near the border and tops out at over 1,800 metres. Free, technical and remote.
9. Jais Flight Access Walk (Easy)
Strictly speaking this is the warm-up to the world’s longest zipline. AED 370 per person, 500 metres of walking, 3 minutes of flying at up to 160 km per hour. Worth it once.
What to Pack for a RAK Hike
Hiking in the Hajar is different to hiking in Europe. Expect loose scree, sharp rock, no shade and zero phone signal in the wadis.
- 4 litres of water per person, minimum
- Proper trail shoes, not running shoes
- Sun hat, long sleeves, sunscreen 50+
- Offline maps (Maps.me or Gaia GPS)
- Whistle and a basic first-aid kit
- Snacks with salt, not just sugar
- Charged power bank
- Cash for parking and entry fees
Getting to the Trailheads
Most RAK trailheads are 30 to 90 minutes from RAK City, all on tarmac except the last few hundred metres at Wadi Bih and Wadi Ghalilah, which need a high-clearance vehicle.
Coming from Dubai? See our Dubai to RAK transport options or our Jebel Jais access guide.
Safety and Mountain Rescue
RAK Police runs a mountain rescue unit. The number is 999. Tell someone your route and expected return time before you start. Mobile signal disappears completely in most wadis.
FAQ
Yes, on the easier trails. The harder routes (Stairway to Heaven, Wadi Ghalilah loop) are serious mountains and need preparation, navigation skills and a partner.
November to March. October and April are doable if you start before sunrise. May to September is dangerous on exposed routes.
Not for Wadi Shawka, Wadi Bih lower or Jebel Jais Viewing Deck. Highly recommended for Stairway to Heaven and Wadi Ghalilah loop.
Most are free. Jebel Jais Viewing Deck costs AED 10 from 2026, and the Adventure Centre activities (Sky Tour, Via Ferrata, Jais Flight) are paid.
Wadi Shawka and the Jebel Jais Viewing Deck walk are great for kids over 5. The technical mountain routes are not.
Only at Jebel Jais Viewing Deck and the Adventure Centre. Plan accordingly.
Plan the Rest of Your Day
After a hike, most people head to a beach club or a long lunch. See our things to do in RAK guide for the best spots, or check out RAK this week for what is on right now.
