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Rocky Hajar mountain ridges under a blue sky with clouds on Jebel Jais

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Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates · United Arab Emirates

Jebel Jais Trails trek: grade, cost & permits

These are the UAE's highest marked trails. The headline walk is Ghaf Summit: 4.3 km one way from Jais Viewing Deck Park (about 1,300 m) to the South Summit (about 1,640 m), the highest point open to the public. For an easier walk, take one of the short lower trails (Al Teen 1.2 km, Sidir 1.6 km, Al Asbaq 2.2 km). For a harder day, walk the 11.6 km Wadi Shah loop through Hidden Oasis. Hiking is free. The cost here is only the seasonal RAK shuttle; add your own food and water.

Photo: Tashmetova808 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source

GradeModerate
Duration1 day
Highest point1,640 m
SeasonOctober-April (the official hiking season). Avoid May-September: summer heat goes past 40°C even on the mountain's lower trails.
Cost from base₹400per person
BaseJebel Jais, on Jais Road, a 30-45 minute drive up from central Ras Al Khaimah or the Al Hamra and Marjan Island beach hotels

These are the UAE's highest marked trails. The headline walk is Ghaf Summit: 4.3 km one way from Jais Viewing Deck Park (about 1,300 m) to the South Summit (about 1,640 m), the highest point open to the public. For an easier walk, take one of the short lower trails (Al Teen 1.2 km, Sidir 1.6 km, Al Asbaq 2.2 km). For a harder day, walk the 11.6 km Wadi Shah loop through Hidden Oasis. Hiking is free. The cost here is only the seasonal RAK shuttle; add your own food and water.

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Forecast for the trek's map point. It is usually colder and windier at the top.

Step 2 of 7Next: Route

The route

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On the map

Jebel Jais Trails · Open in Google Maps ↗

The climb

1300 m1400 m1520 m1640 m1520 m1400 m1300 m Start · 1300 mEnd · 1300 m 1,640 m

How to reach the start

Dubai Union bus station → Ras Al Khaimah (Al Dhait) on the RAKTA intercity bus, AED 30 (about ₹780) one way; the return RAK → Dubai Union is AED 27. From RAK, RAKTA's Jebel Jais Yellow Route shuttle ran Friday-Sunday from the Al Hamra and Marjan Island hotels to the mountain (ADNOC Jebel Jais stop) for AED 15 (about ₹390) return, from 28 Nov 2025 to the end of April 2026. Check the Sayr app for the 2026-27 season before you rely on it. Otherwise take a metered RAK taxi or hire a car. There is no fuel station further up the mountain road.

Directions to the trailhead ↗Open in Google Maps ↗
Step 3 of 7Next: Permits

Permits and rules

Permit: No permit or ticket. Visit Jebel Jais (run with RAKTDA) says the trails are open to the public and free to walk on your own, with no guide needed. Groups bigger than 10 must register in advance with RAKTDA. Guided walks are optional and booked through Bear Grylls Explorers Camp: Upper Shepherd Walk 2.5 km from AED 125; Wadi Loop 7.5 km and Hidden Oasis Walk 7 km from AED 200; Hidden Oasis Loop 9.6 km and Hidden Pond 9 km from AED 250 per adult.
GuideNot needed
Seasonal closureNo formal summer closure, but the official season is October-April and the site says not to hike at midday in warm months. From October 2026, crews are replacing trail signs, starting at Hidden Oasis (Wadi Khammed), so expect some work on the trails. The 80 km Grand Loop and the five-day Via Ferrata were announced in September 2026 and are not open yet.
Travel adviceUK FCDO (updated 24 Jul 2026) does not advise against travel to the UAE, but it warns of Iranian strikes across the region since 8 July and possible airspace closures.

Official permit or booking page ↗

Rules change. Check the park office or official booking system before you travel.

Step 4 of 7Next: Gear

What to carry

Step 5 of 7Next: Cost

What it costs

Ballpark ranges, not live quotes. Page updated 18 October 2026. Prices move with season and demand, so check live fares before you book.

Your group, from the base₹800
Couple · from Jebel Jais, on Jais Road, a 30-45 minute drive up from central Ras Al Khaimah or the Al Hamra and Marjan Island beach hotels
Per person₹400

Covers local transport, permits or entry, a guide where needed and food on the trail. Getting to Jebel Jais is extra.

Step 6 of 7Next: FAQ

Photos

Questions people ask

How hard is the Jebel Jais Trails trek?

Moderate grade. It takes 1 day and climbs to about 1,640 m. These are the UAE's highest marked trails. The headline walk is Ghaf Summit: 4.3 km one way from Jais Viewing Deck Park (about 1,300 m) to the South Summit (about 1,640 m), the highest point open to the public. For an easier walk, take one of the short lower trails (Al Teen 1.2 km, Sidir 1.6 km, Al Asbaq 2.2 km). For a harder day, walk the 11.6 km Wadi Shah loop through Hidden Oasis. Hiking is free. The cost here is only the seasonal RAK shuttle; add your own food and water.

Do I need a permit for Jebel Jais Trails?

No permit or ticket. Visit Jebel Jais (run with RAKTDA) says the trails are open to the public and free to walk on your own, with no guide needed. Groups bigger than 10 must register in advance with RAKTDA. Guided walks are optional and booked through Bear Grylls Explorers Camp: Upper Shepherd Walk 2.5 km from AED 125; Wadi Loop 7.5 km and Hidden Oasis Walk 7 km from AED 200; Hidden Oasis Loop 9.6 km and Hidden Pond 9 km from AED 250 per adult.

How do I reach the Jebel Jais Trails trek?

Dubai Union bus station → Ras Al Khaimah (Al Dhait) on the RAKTA intercity bus, AED 30 (about ₹780) one way; the return RAK → Dubai Union is AED 27. From RAK, RAKTA's Jebel Jais Yellow Route shuttle ran Friday-Sunday from the Al Hamra and Marjan Island hotels to the mountain (ADNOC Jebel Jais stop) for AED 15 (about ₹390) return, from 28 Nov 2025 to the end of April 2026. Check the Sayr app for the 2026-27 season before you rely on it. Otherwise take a metered RAK taxi or hire a car. There is no fuel station further up the mountain road. Base: Jebel Jais, on Jais Road, a 30-45 minute drive up from central Ras Al Khaimah or the Al Hamra and Marjan Island beach hotels.

What is the best season for Jebel Jais Trails?

October-April (the official hiking season). Avoid May-September: summer heat goes past 40°C even on the mountain's lower trails..

How much does the Jebel Jais Trails trek cost?

From about ₹400 per person from the base, covering local transport, permits or entry, a guide where required and food. The journey to the base is extra.

What should I carry?

At least 3 litres of water per person (the official minimum), plus rehydration salts, snacks, sturdy shoes, sunscreen, a hat and a charged phone. Pack a warm layer from December to February: the upper trails are much colder than the coast and can be foggy and windy.

Step 7 of 7Next: Sources

Guides for Jebel Jais Trails

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Sources and last check

Checked 11 October 2026. Fees, hours and rules change, so confirm on the official site before you pay.

  • visitjebeljais.com OfficialTrails open to public and free without a guide; group-of-10 RAKTDA registration rule; 3 litres water minimum; guided walk distances, durations and prices (AED 125/200/250); Hidden Oasis Loop 1,044 m, Hidden Pond 1,137 m; season Oct-Apr; signage renewal from Oct; Grand Loop and multi-day Via Ferrata in development; RAK Police 999
  • visitjebeljais.com OfficialGhaf Summit 4.3 km one way from Jais Viewing Deck Park to about 1,640 m; Samar, Wadi Shah (11.6 km, 753 m start), Al Teen, Farfar, Sidir, Al Asbaq trail lengths; summer above 40°C
  • visitjebeljais.com OfficialRAKTA Yellow Route shuttle: AED 15 return, Fri-Sun, 28 Nov 2025 to end Apr 2026, Al Hamra/Marjan hotels to ADNOC Jebel Jais
  • visitjebeljais.com Official30-45 min drive from central RAK; no fuel on the mountain road; fog and wind in cooler months
  • visitrasalkhaimah.com OfficialRAKTA intercity bus fares: Dubai to RAK AED 30, RAK to Dubai Union AED 27; Sayr app
  • raktda.com OfficialRAKTDA fact sheet: Bear Grylls Explorers Camp further down the mountain offers guided hikes; HIGHLANDER events
  • gov.uk OfficialFCDO: no advise-against for UAE; regional security warning, updated 24 Jul 2026
  • gulfnews.comGhaf Summit starts at Viewing Deck Park about 1,300 m, ends at South Summit 1,640 m, highest public point in the UAE
  • gulfnews.comSept 2026 announcement of 80 km Grand Loop and five-day Via Ferrata, not yet open; Hidden Oasis trail rehabilitation

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Costs are indicative ballparks for doing it yourself and change with season and demand. Always check live fares, rates and opening rules before you book. Trip Under is not a travel agency: we sell nothing, take no commission, and every booking link goes straight to the provider. Photographs come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences; see credits.

By Gokul · Updated 18 October 2026 · Photo: Tashmetova808 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source · Photo: Angela Manthorpe · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source · Photo: Ouremiratesjourney · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source · Photo: Montaserarqob · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source · Photo: Ginevrajocosa88 · CC0 · source

From the base · —
Cost