Most of the country is in the Rub-el-Khali desert . This is the largest area on the planet that sand covers. Mountains in the UAE are found in the northern and eastern regions of the state. Conquer these peaks under the power of every traveler, because the ascent can be done at any time of the year. Along the rocks there is a modern road, covered with asphalt and meeting all international safety standards.
The highest mountain in the UAE
On the border of the city of El Ain and the State of Oman, among the sandy desert sands, the rocky mountain of Jebel Hafeet rises. Its peak is at an altitude of 1249 m above sea level. There was a special observation deck, parking for cars and a small restaurant. In clear weather, a stunning view of the village and its surroundings opens from here, which simply captures the spirit.
You can get here by a modern wide highway, made in the form of a winding serpentine. Each year in January, on this track, sports competitions are held among cyclists, to which participants from all over the globe gather. Due to its picturesque flora and unique fauna, Jebel Hafeet Mountain in the UAE has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as a candidate for the list of natural wonders of the world.
While visiting the sights, tourists will be able to see such objects:
- Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed's palace is the official residence of the crown prince from the emirate of Abu Dhabi .
- Mercure is a fashionable SPA-hotel, which is estimated at 5 stars. There is a luxury restaurant, private parking and an amazing observation deck.
- Green Mubazarah is a green oasis at the foot of the mountain and is a tourist center with healing hot springs and indoor swimming pools. Here you can play mini golf, have fun on the water slides, and ride the famous Arabian horses. Experienced riders often hold different competitions.
- Caves are winding tunnels in the mountains, inhabited by bats, snakes, foxes and various insects.
- The historical museum - there are stored artifacts, extracted by archaeologists during excavations. In the institution you can see women's jewelry, pottery, tools, etc. Historians assume that these items are more than 5000 years old. This date is confirmed by the burial mounds discovered at the foot of the rock.
Hajjar Range
Between Oman and the emirate of Dubai, parallel to the Indian Ocean coast, stretches the range of the Khadjar mountains, which are also called Jibal Al Hajjar. The name of the rock is translated as "Rocky", because it is composed of basalt rocks. The highest point is called Jabal Shams, it rises at an altitude of 900 m above sea level.
Streams of water, running down the mountain slopes, form rough rivers and picturesque canyons. Here the liquid accumulates, due to which there are small water bodies, which are fringed with thickets of reeds. Travelers often observe a variety of landscapes: beautiful desert valleys alternate with oases with palm groves.
The rivers in Jabal al-Hajar often dry up and form dry riverbeds - wadi. These are winding lines in the mountains, on which they ride with pleasure on four wheel drive jeeps. More tourists are attracted by crystal clear air and lush vegetation, but it is rather difficult to walk on sun-drenched stones for a long time.
In the mountains there are many secluded places for a picnic, but only families can visit them. For this purpose, even special signs were installed on the roads, so no noisy companies or lovers of couples will come here. Foreigners also need to comply with this rule.
The best place to view the area is the Hatta resort . It is a mountain village located on the border with Oman at an altitude of 300 m. There are catering and small hotels where you can spend the night.
What other mountains are there in the UAE?
In the country there are two more mountain massifs. They are also located on the border with Oman. Their highest points are related to the neighboring state, but also from the Arab Emirates tourists will have something to see. These rocks are:
- Jabal Yibir - the highest peak of the mountain is called Ras al Khaimah, its height is 1727 m, but in the UAE the rock does not exceed the 300 m mark. Here is the military base of the country, therefore, tourists are not allowed entry. The asphalt road leads to the headquarters, along which the villages are located.
- Jabal-Jays (Jebel Jais) - the mountain is also called Jabal-Bil-Ais. Its maximum height is 1911 m above sea level. It is located in the territory of a neighboring state, and in the UAE the rock reaches a mark of 1000 m. There is a funicular and a golf course, paragliding is widespread, and a ski and snowboard track is also equipped.