Today's Edition
BATOOL GHAITH (ABU DHABI)
As cooler weather blankets the UAE, thousands of residents and visitors are lacing up their hiking boots to take advantage of one of the region's most rewarding seasonal experiences, winter hiking.
In a country known for its soaring skylines and golden dunes, the mountains and wadis reveal a wilder, greener side of the Emirates, one best explored between November and March.
"Winter in the UAE is the perfect time for residents, locals, people from the region, and even visitors from Europe, Asia and Africa to experience the mountains," Chris Craver, founder and Managing Director of ECC Adventures, told Aletihad.
He said that during winter, the UAE often gets seasonal rains that help fill the wadis and transform the landscape, bringing greenery, seasonal flowers, and fuller cascading pools.
But even without rain, the season offers an escape into nature with pleasant daytime temperatures and crisp mornings. Trails come alive during these months, with hikers enjoying terrain that shifts dramatically from rocky escarpments to lush canyon floors.
The hiking season typically kicks off in late November and extends through March, depending on rainfall, according to Craver.
Craver, a longtime advocate for responsible hiking and outdoor exploration in the UAE, explained that the diversity of trails across the country allows people to choose their own kind of adventure.
For higher altitudes and dramatic vistas, the northern ranges around Jebel Jais, Wadi Naqab, and Jebel Al Mebrah offer serious elevation, he said. For canyon hikes, Fujairah is the place.
Northern trails like Wadi Abadilah and Khalibiya Saddle Trail (Wadi Al Ghuna) are lush with vegetation and dramatic rock formations. Fujairah is also home to striking geological areas like Rainbow Valley and Wadi Kub.
Sharjah, meanwhile, presents hikers with a coastal-mountain mix in Khorfakkan, where popular trails lead to Al Rabi Tower and Heart Beach. In Mleiha, mountains meet desert sands, and recent UNESCO World Heritage status has brought increased attention to the region.
Just over an hour's drive from Dubai, Wadi Shawka offers a mix of trails and canyons with water pools, a favourite for weekend trekkers.
"Hatta, Dubai's mountain playground, is ideal for beginner-friendly hikes and scenic trails like the Hatta Sign. It also offers glamping, kayaking, and mountain biking options at Hatta Wadi Hub," Craver said.
From a wellness perspective, Craver noted that hiking is a vital part of mental and physical health.
"Many of us in Dubai spend most of our time indoors or in vehicles, constantly in transit. Making an intentional visit into the mountains, walking, playing, and reconnecting with that sense of exploration, allows people to rediscover their inner child. It is a powerful way to disconnect from daily stress and anxieties and simply be present in nature," he added.
The COVID-19 pandemic served as a turning point. As lockdowns eased and international travel remained limited, UAE residents sought out nature closer to home, Craver explained.
"After COVID, there was a major surge in people exploring mountains, wadis, and deserts. That initial surge has stabilised, but what we are seeing now is a deeper, long-term interest in hiking and outdoor lifestyles," he said.
Craver pointed out that across the UAE and the wider GCC, individuals, governments, and companies are increasingly recognising the importance of getting people outdoors and onto the trails.
"Hiking brings us back to something authentic. Not all of us are from here, born here, or raised here, but being outdoors is something deeply human and universal. Even though we come from different ecosystems, landscapes, and climates, being outside together, testing our limits, gaining elevation, and challenging ourselves, creates a shared experience. It connects us as individuals and as communities, giving us a clearer sense of who we are," he noted.
