Stairway to Heaven Loop Trail in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE (NOT the Right Bank!)

When I was just starting out hiking again, I have my eyes on the famous Stairway to Heaven (not to be confused with ‘right bank’) in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE. The information about the trail was very limited back then. After quite some time, I got the chance to hike the Stairway to Heaven through Wadi Litibah organized by FOX.AE. If you want to know more about the trail, read this section-by-section hiking guide to help you plan your next hike!

Latest Update: September 13, 2022

STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN TRAIL HIKE PACK:  

• 4-L water  
• 2 Pocari sweat  
• 1 Gatorade  
• Packed lunch (rice and chicken)  
• Trail food with a mix of peanuts, dried fruits, candies & chocolates, biscuits  
• 2 sachets of Energy Gel  

Apart from these, all necessary gears like a headlamp, first aid kit, emergency blanket, extra t-shirt, and socks are with me. You can also carry other important and personal stuff with you but don’t forget that a lighter backpack is always better.

TRAIL SECTIONS OF STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN TRAIL in RAS AL Khaimah, UAE:

The Ascent:

Parking Area/Jump Off to Junction

The first section is the Wadi Litibah trail (now they call it Stairway to Heaven – Right Bank) until you reach the junction/fork. If it’s your first time hiking Wadi Litibah, follow the trail on the right side of the wadi. The trail is established with steps of stones built by Pakistani shepherds. You will reach a stone table and bench and the fork is just a few meters away. At the not-so-obvious fork (be mindful because you can miss it) take the LEFT TRAIL for Stairway to Heaven’s trail.

Junction to Grotto

Once you take the left trail, the trail becomes harder to make out. Although still recognizable, the trail gets steeper and covered in scree. Keep going up until you reach the ‘Lonely Boulder’ (or the boulder that looks lonely all by himself). Keep going higher until you reach the ‘grotto’.

Grotto to Wall

From the grotto, the trail looks the same except that you will come across some colorful plants/flowers along the way. Though I don’t think the plants/flowers are alive during the summer season.  

Continue hiking until you see a lonely tree in a corner on the right side. From this tree, make a way for yourself and hike some more until you hit the ‘Wall’ (sounds like we’re in Game of Thrones isn’t it?).

Wall to Roof (Stairway to Heaven Summit)

At the Wall, you have to follow the path until you reach the first staircase. The first two staircases are short but narrow so you have to squeeze yourself through. Keep on the left side of the ‘Wall’ and you will end up on the next staircase. There are about 5-7 staircases and the length of each varies (I lost count, to be honest) plus some ledges along the way until you reach the Summit/Roof.

The Illegal Crossing connecting the Loop Trail:

Roof to Plateau towards Rolling Mountain

Finally, you reach the Summit of what I call ‘Roof’ and your struggle with the staircases is over! Enjoy the quaint Omani villages at the “Roof” and if you’re lucky, interact with the Omanis if they are there.

At this point, technically you are now in Oman. Walk further to the edge and you will be able to see the border posts of two countries – UAE and Oman.

Like in Madha, there’s no border control in this part of Oman. However, please stay on the trail and don’t risk going to the towns of Oman as you are now illegally crossing the border. I heard that the government and police officers from Oman became lenient towards the hikers since it’s way too risky going down using the staircases again. But mind your own business and continue hiking up (yes you will go higher again) until you reach the ‘Rolling Mountains’.

Start hiking higher and you will notice that there are rocks with reddish colors. I read somewhere that it is a mixture of Copper/Iron hence the color.

And now you are at my favorite part – this amazing view of the Wall and the Roof! From this view, it looks like a plain wall, just a WALL. A wall without a trail and the nerve-wracking staircases!

Plateau/Rolling Mountains to Wadi Litibah Summit

By now, cross the rolling mountains and follow the donkey path/trail on your right side. This looks near and simple but it is still quite a walk. The trail going down is way looooooonger than the trail when you climbed up. If you want to avoid being caught up by the dark, you have to move FAST. You can still enjoy the view of the Wall on one side and you will even spot the Military Base look-alike of Jebel Al Harim (Google Map says it’s a mosque) on the other side.  

The Descent:

Wadi Litibah Summit to Coliseum

Oh, I loathe this part! This is now the other half of Stairway to Heaven full loop trail here in UAE. It is quite long, challenging, and a winding one and I hope your knees are ready for this challenge. You will occasionally encounter sets of stone steps constructed over the past years by the Pakistani shepherds. Then some donkey farms, a small village, water tanks and some water lines along the way too. There is a small view deck with a table and a bench made of stones as well where you can rest for a bit.

Coliseum to Junction

Once you reach this part, you’re now closer to the parking area. You are just 30-45 minutes away from the junction but it will still depend on your pacing (it can be less than 30 minutes). If you get here late, be mindful of your steps as there are some cliff areas on your left side.

Junction to Parking Area/Jump Off

Now you reach the fork where you took the left trail to climb the staircases. This time, you’re coming down from the other side: the right side which made you hike the full loop. Going down will be the same trail you took earlier. It depends on your pacing but you could be 20-30 minutes away from the jump-off. Once you reached the jump-off, you have finished the Stairway to Heaven Hike as I did! Congratulations!

OVERALL THOUGHTS ABOUT STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN TRAIL IN RAS AL KHAIMAH, UAE:

The full loop trail of Stairway to Heaven in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE sounds so much easier than done but please remember these points:

• Don’t go alone. This is a remote part and emergency evacuation will be difficult in the worst case scenario.
• Bring lots of water. It’s a long trail and you will never know your level of consumption in this kind of situation. Bring enough water but not too much that could weigh you down either.
• Go with someone who knows the trail then has someone go with you just because you read my post. This will do you good.

Despite all the negative (and sad) news about this trail, I would like people to remember that if Stairway to Heaven is taken with enough planning and preparation, it is a challenging yet rewarding experience. Looking for another challenging hike but rewarding? Read my Wadi Naqab Loop Trail and see if you’re up for a challenge!

From the staircases’ history (the old Shihu trail), the Omani village and quick interaction with the Omanis, the military base look-alike (if it’s not a military base) of Jebel Al Harim and the winding trail descending the Wadi Litibah, this hike will surely fill up your thirst for adventure!

AND AS A GENTLE OUTDOOR ETHICS REMINDER:
LEAVE NO TRACE!