Jabal al-hajar mountains. The highest mountains of the UAE Geological structure and minerals of the UAE

Most of the territory of the UAE is occupied by sandy deserts and the sea coast. There are many great places to relax by the sea, but are there mountains in the OAU? There is. On the UAE map, mountains can be found near the border with Oman in the east of the country.

Mountains in the UAE - Jebel Al Hajar

Mountains in the UAE are located in the northern and eastern Emirates. To the east of the Emirate of Dubai in the UAE, the Hajar Mountains replace the familiar desert landscape. The Jebel al-Hajar mountains are rocky bare peaks, consisting mainly of basalt rocks, and rising above sea level to a height of 1934 meters (Jabal Yibir) and are the highest mountains in the eastern part of the Arabian Peninsula. Why are the mountains in the UAE so low? Located in Oman and the UAE, the Hajar Mountains are geologically the youngest mountain formations in the world. This circumstance explains the fact that in the UAE there are mountains, which practically have no vegetation cover.

Despite the fact that the climate in the region is arid, it still rains and the water flowing down from the mountain plateaus forms picturesque canyons, and sometimes these streams form small mountain lakes, where tropical vegetation is riot.

On request "UAE mountains attractions" you can find information about the local resort of Hatta, where a tourist can visit one of the oldest mosques in Arabia - Juma. Why do so many tourists visit the mountains in the UAE? People are attracted by the harsh views of the mountains with oases, dry river beds, interesting and distinctive fauna, numerous dunes and clean air. Desert trips are also very popular here, where you can enjoy the variety of landscapes.

Mount Jebel Hafeet

Are there mountains with tourism potential in the OAU? Yes, on the UAE map, Jebel Hafeet Mountain is located on the border with Oman, (the second highest mountain in the UAE) and attracts crowds of tourists, because it is included in the list of candidates for natural wonders of the world by UNESCO. In the UAE, mountains that used to be the sea hide many traces of the seabed - fossils, skeletons of ancient fish and marine animals and corals - a real find for geologists and paleontologists.

The predominant landscape of the Emirates of Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah in the UAE is mountains. The attractions of Jebel Hafeet Mountain are geothermal hot springs, where there is an infrastructure for a pleasant and healthy holiday. Mount Jebel Hafeet was chosen by cyclists, because there is a unique 12-kilometer serpentine mountain road. There is also a popular 2.6 km long snow trail. Tourists can climb Jebel Hafeiti Mountain in winter and summer.

For those who have visited the UAE, it is useful to visit the mountains. You don't even need to make a lot of effort on a trip to the Hajar Mountains. Just two hours and you are in the mountains! Khatta is located 115 kilometers from Dubai, in the center of the Hajar mountain range, at an altitude of 300 m above sea level. The geological age of the Al-Hajar mountain range is estimated at 200 million years. The formation of the mountains was served by the processes of eruptions of underwater volcanoes. The Black Mountains of Al-Hajar are a single illustration on the planet of pyroclastic material washed out from the bottom of the ocean, from which, in essence, the mountains are composed.


A trip to the mountains along the E44 highway is stunning with an unexpected change of sand dunes for multi-colored rocks on the sides of the road. Hatta rewards courageous and curious tourists with a mild climate and introduces the historical past of the Emirates: the village was founded more than two centuries ago, 200 years.

Of course, you need to stay at the Hatta Fort hotel, there is simply nothing else here.


The hotel rooms will please everyone, these are cozy, welcoming chalets with private terraces from which you can admire the mountains. The rooms are equipped with a bath and a cabin with a shower. The decoration of the room is the ceiling with wood beams.





Everything in Jeema restaurant is delicious! The assortment of international dishes is so big, you even get lost what to eat ?! Live music can be enjoyed and light meals are served throughout Gazebo Café overlooking the pool.

all day.


And the pool is such a pleasure.




In the center of the village of Hatty is the oldest, built in 1780. Juma mosque and an old fort.



Found in the northern and eastern regions of the state. Each traveler can conquer these peaks, because the ascent can be made at any time of the year. There is a modern asphalt road along the rocks that meets all international standards.

Highest mountain in the UAE

On the border with the state of Oman, among the sandy sands of the desert, the rocky Jebel Hafeet rises. Its peak is located at an altitude of 1249 m above sea level. A special observation deck, a parking lot and a small restaurant were equipped here. In clear weather, a stunning view of the village and its surroundings opens up from here, which is simply breathtaking.

You can get here along a modern wide highway, made in the form of a winding serpentine. Every year in January, this circuit hosts sports competitions for cyclists, which are attended by participants from all over the world. With its picturesque flora and unique fauna, Jebel Hafeet Mountain in the UAE has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site as a candidate for the list of natural wonders of the world.


While visiting the sights, tourists will be able to see the following objects:

  1. Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed palace Is the official residence of the Crown Prince of the Emirate.
  2. Mercure- a luxurious SPA-hotel, which is rated at 5 stars. It features a luxurious restaurant, private parking and an amazing observation deck.
  3. Is a green oasis located at the foot of the mountain and is a tourist center with healing and indoor pools. Here you can play mini golf, have fun on the water slides, and ride the famous Arabian horses. Various competitions are often held among experienced riders.
  4. Caves- These are winding tunnels in the mountains, where bats, snakes, foxes and various insects live.
  5. Historical Museum - exhibits obtained by archeologists during excavations are kept here. In the institution you can see women's jewelry, pottery, tools, etc. Historians suggest that these items are more than 5,000 years old. This date is also confirmed by the burial mounds found at the foot of the rock.

Hajar ridge

Between Oman and the Emirate of Dubai, parallel to the coast of the Indian Ocean, there is a ridge of the Hajar Mountains, which are also called Jabal Al Hajjar. The name of the rock is translated as "Stony", because it is built 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 turbulent rivers and picturesque canyons. Here liquid accumulates, due to which small reservoirs arise, which are bordered by thickets of reeds. Travelers often observe the diversity of the landscape: beautiful desert valleys give way to oases with palm groves.

The rivers in Jabal al-Hajar often dry up and form dry channels - wadis. These are winding lines in the mountains, along which extreme people ride four-wheel drive jeeps with pleasure. Tourists are also attracted by the crystal clear air and lush vegetation, but it is quite difficult to walk on the hot stones for a long time.


There are many secluded picnic spots in the mountains, but only families can visit them. For this, even special signs were installed on the roads, so noisy companies or couples in love will not come here. Foreigners also need to follow this rule.


The best place to view the area is considered. It is a mountain village located on the border with Oman at an altitude of 300 m. There are catering facilities and small ones where you can spend the night.

What other mountains are there in the UAE?

There are two more mountain ranges in the country. They are also located on the border with Oman. Their highest points refer to the neighboring state, but from the side of the United Arab Emirates tourists will have something to see. These rocks are:



The famous Canyon of the Hajar Mountains is very popular among the guests of the country. Due to the inaccessibility of many places in the area, most of the plateau has remained virgin. Walking around the canyon, tourists can freely come across stone pyramids of various sizes. This is the memory of ancient settlements. It was the Hajar mountains that became the natural border of the UAE and Oman.

History and architecture

The northernmost emirate in the UAE is Ras al - Khaimah. Of the six existing emirates, Ras Al Khaimah is the most fertile and richest in geographic diversity. The area is home to desert, incredible Gulf Coast, agricultural fields and unrivaled mountains. The canyon of the Hajar Mountains is like a large oasis that spreads among the Arabian sands. The canyon is located one kilometer above sea level. This place serves as a quarry for stone for the world famous Dubai skyscrapers. But this is not the main value of the canyon - it is known throughout the world for its natural beauty. It is also called the Grand Canyon, but this does not mean that it is a parody of the American Grand Canyon - its size and grandeur are no less striking. This place, famous for its beauty, has long been featured on postcards and photographs that have become the hallmarks of the state. It offers truly unique views and picturesque landscapes. It is impossible to resist walking, but mountain biking is more popular here. It provides for the rental of all related equipment. Tourists come here not only to enjoy the breathtaking scenery of the local mountains, but also to spend active holidays. To a greater extent it is: rock climbing, mountaineering, trekking and mountain bike excursions.

Neighborhood

In the emirate of Ras al-Khaimah, you can choose an excursion program for every taste. For example, on city monuments, on the other six emirates, as well as on natural reserves. Most of the excursion programs begin in the area of \u200b\u200bthe clock tower, which means the territorial beginning of the valley. This point was chosen for a reason. It is from here that paths of varying difficulty begin along the majestic Hajar mountains. Tours take place by buses, cars, bicycles and even motorcycles.

Tourist notes

The Grand Canyon can also be reached from the east coast of Dibba, Massafi Highway. This attraction can be considered a loner among the desert, but near the canyon there are many small desert villages and wadis (a traditional Arabic term, generally denoting a valley). The Hajar Canyon is a great place for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of metropolitan areas like Abu Dhabi and Dubai, or see the UAE from a different perspective. Tourists who are vacationing in other emirates can freely purchase an excursion to the Grand Canyon at their hotel. It is this excursion that will allow you to visit six emirates of the UAE in one day. On the way back, a stop is proposed on the shores of the Indian Ocean, where you can sunbathe and swim. You should definitely bring your swimwear and towels. This excursion starts at 09:00 in the morning and ends closer to 18:00 in the evening. Estimated cost $ 70.