Rupert Parker Hikes The Incredible Highlander Adventure in Ras Al Khaimah
The UAE is famous for the glitz and glamour of Dubai and Abu Dhabi but, in the north, is the lesser known Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah. As well as boasting some of the region’s most beautiful and less crowded beaches, inland are rugged mountains and fertile wadis. The best way of exploring this glorious unspoilt nature is on foot I’m going to take part in the annual HIGHLANDER adventure event. At its most extreme it requires three days of trekking with a full backpack over 50km.
The mountains dominate the view from the coast and Jebel Jais, at 1,934m is the tallest peak in the UAE. A winding twisting road upwards, the views getting better all the time. Thrill seekers are well catered for with the Jebel Jais Flight, the world’s longest zipline reaching speeds of up to 150 km/h. For the faint hearted, the Jebel Jais Viewing Deck Park provides stunning panoramic views, in complete safety.
Beaches and Desert Adventures
RAK’s coastline stretches along the Arabian Gulf, offering pristine beaches with soft white sand and clear turquoise waters. All perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and water sports such as kayaking and jet skiing.
If you prefer the desert, Ras Al Khaimah offers thrilling experiences like dune bashing, camel trekking, and sandboarding. You can even visit a Bedouin-style desert camp where you can enjoy traditional Emirati cuisine, watch mesmerizing belly dance performances, and gaze at the star-lit sky.
Camel Racing
A symbol of Emirati heritage and sporting excellence, camel racing has evolved over centuries to become a highly organized and competitive sport, complete with state-of-the-art facilities and the latest technology. Situated just outside Ras Al Khaimah’s city centre, the Al Sawan Camel Racetrack is surrounded by rolling dunes and traditional Bedouin camps.
Races usually take place early in the morning, with the cool desert air creating perfect conditions for both camels and spectators. In the past, child jockeys were used, but now the camels are ridden by remote-controlled robots. Operated remotely by trainers driving alongside the track, they’re designed to encourage the camels to run at their maximum speed. They can reach up to 65 km/h and the atmosphere is electric, with passionate spectators cheering on their favourite camels.
HIGHLANDER Adventure
HIGHLANDER is a globally recognized long-distance hiking event that emphasizes self-reliance, environmental stewardship, and cultural immersion. The Ras Al Khaimah event has three distinct formats, the most challenging running over three days and 50 kms. I’ve decided to take the HIGHLANDER Lyra which involves trekking around 25 kms in a day. That means I don’t have to take tent and sleeping bag and I can enjoy the landscape without being overloaded.
I arrive at the start point just before dawn and pick up snacks and extra water before setting out. In fact I’ll be doing most of the HIGHLANDER two day version without an overnight. There’s low cloud, even drops of rain as I set out uphill. The track is clear and well-marked which means there’s no danger of getting lost. The group soon splinters as everybody set their own pace and I can enjoy the serenity of the mountains.
As the sun comes up, it’s partially cloudy which is ideal for this strenuous uphill. Soon I’m striding along the ridge taking in the stunning panoramas. I pass a waypoint with additional water and snacks and from then on I’m on my own. There’s quite a steep descent but steps have cut into the rock making it manageable. I’m aware that my knees are taking a pounding but the trail soon morphs into a gentle downhill.
The clouds soon disperse and the second half of the trail is in full sun. Although the path traverses fertile wadis, the few trees give little shade. There’s then a long climb which finally gives me sight of the finish point, down in the valley. Any hope that this final stretch will be easy vanishes as I negotiate the steep descent, often on loose rock.
It’s tough on the knees and requires extreme concentration as I’m terrified of stumbling. Fortunately I have no heavy pack to throw me off balance, and the finish line gets ever closer. After seven hours of constant walking, fellow walkers applaud as I arrive in the camp. It’s obvious they thought I wasn’t going to make it. Clutching a cold beer, I’m happy to prove them wrong.
Tell me more about Ras Al Khaimah: The Hidden Gem Of The UAE
Emirates flies to Dubai direct from London. From there it’s around an hour’s transfer.
Longbeach Campground offers luxury glamping by the sea in an all-inclusive resort.
Bear Grylls Explorer Camp is in the heart of the mountains and makes a good trekking base.
HIGHLANDER is an annual event in Ras Al Khaimah and also takes place in other countries.
Visit Ras Al Khaimah has information about the country.
