Originally part of the RAKTRAV 2020, the longest hiking trail in the UAE linked by FOX.AE, I found myself back on this trail—this time with a slight variation. Dubbed the "short yet spicy" trail, it's known as the Wafi Trail (or Awafi Trail) located in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE. Here's my hiking guide packed with useful information on the trail overview, transportation, trailhead, and key hiking sections.
Trail Overview:
Disclaimer: Some sections of this trail have no clear path at all. In these areas, we rely on our instincts to navigate, but this should always be done with caution. If you're hiking alone or new to hiking, we highly recommend going with someone experienced—especially someone skilled in map reading—to avoid any unnecessary risks.
- Route: Wafi Trail or Awafi Trail
- Distance: 10.78 km
- Elevation Gain: 435 meters +/-
- Total Moving Time: 7 hours and 36 minutes
- Difficulty Level (own opinion): 3 out of 5
- Ideal time to hike this trail: November to April (as long as the weather is bearable outdoors)
How to get there and how to get out:
As I always mention about hiking in UAE, jump-offs or trailheads are not usually accessible by public transportation. Hence, I do not include instructions on using public transportation anymore. However, you will find the coordinates for both the parking location and the trailhead below for your reference.
During FOX.AE's 9th Cancer Awareness Climb last February, we opted for a different parking area to accommodate the large number of participants. We parked in the spacious lot (pin location shared below) and then walked to the trailhead from there.
That said, it's also possible to park closer to the trailhead. However, the entrance can be tricky to spot and is easy to miss. The parking location I've shared remains the best option—consider the short walk to the trailhead as a warm-up!
This is a loop trail and it means you will start and finish your hike at the same trailhead on the flat ground. From there, you can either walk back to the parking area shared above or, if you parked near the trailhead, head straight back to Dubai.
Hiking Trailhead:
As mentioned earlier, the actual trailhead is a flat open space that can also be used as a parking area.
This is located near the Wadi Sheha roundabout (pin location shared above), but be careful not to miss the entry point—otherwise, you'll have to take a long detour before you can make another attempt! 😉
Hiking Trail Sections:
Starting from the campsite, I have divided the trail into four key sections. These sections are notable points that you can easily recognize and remember. Without further adieu, let's start!
1. Campsite to Trailhead
Coming from the campsite, the trail follows the dirt trail next to the road up to the actual trailhead. It's a bit of a walk on a flat surface for around 2 kilometers, which you can consider a warm-up!
After walking along the road, turn right and the view opens to a flat open space. In front of you are low-lying rocky hills and jagged mountain ridges where the adventure of the trail is all about.
2. Trailhead to Ridge
Finally, it's time to hike up. Starting from the lowest part of the hill on the left side, the hiking trail was not, especially to the untrained eye, so we mostly followed the faint paths or what we call the goat trail.
As we ascended the slope, we encountered steep, rocky sections with uneven surfaces. Some hikers had to scramble using both hands and feet to maintain balance and stability.
Despite the lack of a trail, there was only one way to go but up anyway—so we kept going up.
3. Ridge to Summit
Upon reaching the lowest part of the ridge, we were rewarded with an aerial view of the Wadi Sheha roundabout and the surrounding jagged hills, all sharing the same rugged terrain. At this point, the elevation gain was still under 200 meters.
The ridge, despite having no shade, provided a short but enjoyable walk leading to the next hill. From there, the trail dipped down before another steep ascent on the next hill.
As we neared the so-called summit—that striking rock formation resembling stacked pillars—the trail remained steep, with loose rocks and cliff-like sections requiring careful footing.
For the final push, we veered toward the right side of the slope. While we weren't entirely sure if the plateau was the highest point of this mountain ridge, we treated it as the summit since it was the most accessible high point of the trail.
4. Summit to Wadi
Looking down at the wadi below us, the trail followed an inverted, invisible U-shaped route, gradually losing elevation as it led straight to the wadi.
There were still a few parts of the trail where scrambling was required, with some walls demanding careful navigation to avoid slips or missteps.
Despite the challenge, it was a thrilling descent and rewarded with a chill walk at the wadi. Without any technical sections anymore, you will only encounter similar terrain—loose rocks, boulders, and this time a few trees.
Eventually, the trail ends at the same flat open space where you started. Spare some more energy for the walk back to the parking location shared above, or you can park near the trailhead. Just make sure to park somewhere far from any construction if possible.
Personal Thoughts on Wafi Trail:
As I always say, we all have different hiking preferences or what I call #hikeppetite. What makes a good trail for me might not be the same for you, and that’s completely okay. We don’t always have to agree! Anyhow, here’s what I think about hiking Wafi Trail in Ras Al Khaimah:
Pros:
- The total distance is just right for my hiking appetite! It's challenging enough for a workout but doable as a day hike.
- Because of its technicality, the trail is completely empty—perfect if you enjoy solitude or hiking with just your group.
Cons:
- If you are looking for a chill hike in under 5 hours, this is not it. And if you want an intense hiking trail, this is not it either. Check out my hiking guides Wadi Naqab Loop Trail or Stairway to Heaven's Full Loop Trail (NOT the right bank) instead.
- There is zero shade along the trail at all. Midday hikes, especially in summer will be brutal. Hydrate, please!
- Not recommended for beginners or solo hikers. It's best to go with someone experienced and familiar with the trail.
Compared to the RAKTRAV 2020 Route, I loved this one 100x more! The thrill of the slopes, the easy ridge walk, the cliffs, and the relaxed descent along the wadi—it was the perfect mix for me. Just enough challenge with the right amount of adrenaline rush. Exactly what I needed after a stressful month!
Whatever decision you make, always remember to prepare beforehand, stay safe, and last but not least, enjoy the outdoors! #happyhiking!
With lots of love,
PINAYHAKAWATI 💗
AND AS A GENTLE OUTDOOR ETHICS REMINDER:
LEAVE NO TRACE!
