Jebel Jais: The Complete 2026 Guide to the UAE’s Highest Mountain

At 1,934 metres, Jebel Jais is the UAE’s highest mountain, and on a clear winter morning it is hard to believe you are still in the Emirates. The air is cooler, the views stretch for miles across the Hajar range, and there is enough to do up here to fill a whole day or a whole weekend. Whether you are chasing the world’s longest zipline, hiking a marked trail, or just want to watch the sun set from the viewing deck with a hot coffee, this is your complete guide to making the most of the mountain.

Where Is Jebel Jais and How Do You Get There?

Jebel Jais sits in the far north of Ras Al Khaimah, around 50 minutes from RAK city and roughly 90 minutes to 2 hours from Dubai by car. The drive itself is part of the experience: a smooth, winding mountain road that climbs past dramatic rock faces all the way to the summit. For the full breakdown of routes, fares and travel times, see our guide to the best ways to get to Jebel Jais from Dubai. If you are coming without a car, RAK now runs a dedicated scenic bus, which we covered when RAK launched the Yellow Route linking Al Marjan to Jebel Jais.

Things to Do at Jebel Jais

The mountain is home to a cluster of adventure activities operated within the Jais Adventure Park, plus free-to-enjoy nature and viewing spots. Here is what is on offer.

Jais Flight: The World’s Longest Zipline

The headline act. Jais Flight is the world’s longest zipline, sending you 2.83 kilometres across the mountainside at speeds touching 150 km/h while you fly face-down like a superhero for around three minutes. It is the single most famous thing to do in RAK and worth building your whole trip around. Full details, what to wear and current ticket prices are in our Jais Flight zipline guide.
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Contact: +971 50 422 6830

Jais Sky Tour

If one zipline is not enough, the Jais Sky Tour strings together a series of ziplines and platforms down the mountain, finishing with a walk across the UAE’s highest suspension sky bridge. It is self-guided, paced for confident first-timers, and a brilliant way to see the terrain up close. Read the full Jais Sky Tour guide before you book.
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Contact: +97148157333

Jais Sledder

The most family-friendly thrill on the mountain, the Jais Sledder is a toboggan-style ride that twists down the slope with you in control of the brakes. Younger kids can ride along with an adult. Timings, height rules, and pricing are in our Jebel Jais Sledder guide.
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Contact: +97148157333

The Jais Adventure Park

The ziplines, sky tour and Via Ferrata climbing routes all sit under the wider Jais Adventure Park umbrella. For an overview of how the activities fit together, opening days and what to book first, see our Jebel Jais Adventure Park guide.

Bear Grylls Explorers Camp

For survival skills, obstacle courses and a proper outdoor challenge, the Bear Grylls Explorers Camp brings the famous adventurer’s name to the Hajar mountains. It is popular with families and corporate groups alike. Here is what to expect at the Bear Grylls Explorers Camp.
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Contact: +971565015831

Hiking

Prefer your adventure under your own steam? Jebel Jais has a network of marked hiking trails ranging from gentle walks to serious mountain routes. Cooler months are the only sensible time to attempt them. Our Jebel Jais hiking guide covers the trails, difficulty levels and safety tips.

WOW-RAK Expert Tip: The adventure activities run on a limited weekly schedule (typically Wednesday to Sunday from 9:30 AM) and book out fast on weekends and public holidays. Reserve your zipline or sky tour slot online before you drive up, not when you arrive.

The Viewing Deck Park

Not everyone is here for the adrenaline, and the good news is that the best view on the mountain costs nothing. The Viewing Deck Park is free to enter and offers landscaped terraces, photo spots and sweeping sunset views across the peaks. It is the perfect low-key way to experience Jebel Jais with kids or grandparents in tow. Everything you need is in our Jebel Jais Observation Deck guide.
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Contact: +97172338998

Camping and Staying Overnight

Some of the best moments on Jebel Jais happen after dark, when the temperature drops and the stars come out in force. From BBQs at altitude to a night under canvas, our guide to overnight camping and BBQ at the top of Jebel Jais covers where to pitch up and what to bring.

Where to Eat on the Mountain

Dining options up here are limited but memorable. 1484 by Puro, set at 1,484 metres, holds the title of the UAE’s highest restaurant. For something more relaxed and outdoorsy, the newer Red Rock BBQ serves smoky high-altitude grills with a view, which we covered in our Red Rock BBQ guide. Either way, book ahead, since walk-in tables are rare on weekends.
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Contact: +97148157333

Best Time to Visit

Jebel Jais is a winter destination first and foremost. From October to April the mountain air can run several degrees cooler than the coast, which is exactly why residents flock here to escape the heat. Summers are hot even at altitude, so the adventure activities and dining are best enjoyed in the cooler months, and early mornings or late afternoons are kindest year round.

WOW-RAK Expert Tip: Pack a light jacket even in spring. It really does get cold at the summit after sunset, and the wind on the viewing deck has surprised many a visitor in shorts and a t-shirt.

Jebel Jais at a Glance

Frequently Asked Questions

However you spend it, a day on Jebel Jais is the easiest way to feel a world away without leaving the Emirates. Pick your adventure, pack a layer, and go.