Ras Al Khaimah: heritage, nature and outdoor travel

Summary: Ras Al Khaimah combines about seven thousand years of settlement, the hilltop Dhayah Fort, the medieval port of Julfar and the UAE's best-known mountain road at Jebel Jais.

Theme: Forts, a lost port and the highest road · Best season: Cooler months for forts and coast; the mountain is noticeably cooler than the plain year-round.

Guides for Ras Al Khaimah

Heritage · UAE

Dhayah Fort, Ras Al Khaimah: The 1819 Last Stand

Dhayah Fort is a hilltop fort where about 800 people held out against the British in December 1819. History and visitor notes.

Read the guide Heritage · UAE

Julfar and Ras Al Khaimah: 7,000 Years of Settlement

Ras Al Khaimah has about seven thousand years of settlement, from the medieval port of Julfar to the Portuguese and British...

Read the guide Overlanding · UAE

Jebel Jais, Ras Al Khaimah: The Mountain Road and Hiking Guide

Jebel Jais has a 36 km mountain road, cooler air and the UAE's highest peaks. What to know about weather, the zip-line and hiking.

Read the guide Hiking · UAE

Jebel Jais Hiking Trails: Difficulty, Terrain and Preparation

Jebel Jais has six marked hiking trails totalling 16 km. Difficulty, the Ghaf Summit route, group notice rules and how to prepare.

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What to Know Before Hiking Wadi Shawka

Wadi Shawka offers an 8 km network of trails to natural pools. What Gulf News reports on difficulty, shared paths and flood...

Read the guide Hiking · UAE

Mountain Hiking Safety in Ras Al Khaimah

Official hiking safety advice for Ras Al Khaimah: group notification, weather, footwear, water, first aid and emergency planning.

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