Road Trip to Jebel Hafeet – One of The Most Picturesque Roads in the UAE
The city of Al Ain is famous for beautiful mountain ranges and hot springs, making it the perfect spot for those who want to get away from the monotonous city life and relax for a bit. Planning a Jebel Hafeet mountain road trip is popular among those who visit the city. The stunning Jebel Hafeet Mountain stands 1,249 meters (4,098 ft) tall, and one part of it touches Oman’s border. Let us take you through the details about planning a Jebel Hafeet road trip.
How to Plan a Road Trip to Jebel Hafeet, Al Ain
Jebel Hafeet isn’t just famous for its altitude; the Jebel Hafeet Mountain Road is also hailed for its drive. The Jebel Hafeet Mountain Road is among one of the best roads to drive in the UAE.
Let’s take a look at the route one can take to this beautiful location from three of the closest cities.
Dubai to Jebel Hafeet
It will take you a little over 2 hours to reach Jebel Hafeet via the Al-Ain to Dubai road (E66). You can also take the Al Hayer to Sweihan to Abu Dhabi Road or the Sweihan Road (E20). The road stretching from Dubai to Jebel Hafeet is considered one of the best roads to drive on.
Abu Dhabi to Jebel Hafeet
It generally takes less than 2 hours to reach Jebel Hafeet via Abu Dhabi city by road. Take the Abu Dhabi – Al Ain highway (E22 expressway). The E22 is the only highway in the UAE with a speed limit of 160 km/hr – the remaining highways have a speed limit of 140 km/hr.
You can also go via Al Hayer, Sweihan, Abu Dhabi Road (E20) or via Al Taf Road (E16). As a rule of thumb, always check
Al Ain to Jebel Hafeet
If you are in Al Ain City, it will take just a drive of 30 to 40 minutes to reach the top of the ravishing mountain. You can either go via Jebel Hafeet Street, 122nd Street or Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Awwal Street.
Things To Do at the Jebel Hafeet Mountain Range
Jebel Hafeet mountain range has a lot to offer. While nature enthusiasts love the rocky mountain views, adventure lovers enjoy camping. Even a simple drive is enjoyable in the midst of these beautiful mountains. Here are a few activities people enjoy here.
Drive
The Jebel Hafeet Mountain Road trip is 20 minutes of pure entertainment. The beautiful road around the Jebel Hafeet Mountain was developed in 1986 and has 60 turns and three lanes including two climbing ones and one descending making it an exciting road trip. What’s more exciting is that the two ascending lanes are that you can peacefully drive at the rightmost lane while taking in the serene view without obstructing anyone else’s view.
The drive to reach the 4101 ft long steep rock is pretty exhilarating for car enthusiasts.
Photography
According to Instagram, the Jebel Hafeet Mountain Road is the third most photographed road in the world with 4,840 pictures clicked per kilometre.
Soon after dusk when the sky gets darker, the real essence of the Jebel Hafeet Road trip comes out in the form of a chain of sodium-vapour lamps that light up the entire road, making it look like a golden necklace. Furthermore, the hairpin bends in the road make it ideal for long-exposure and light-trail photography.
Jebel Hafeet Park & Hot Springs
There is a lush green park at the foothills of the Jebel Hafeet known as Green Mubazzarah Park. The spacious park is perfect for an evening outing. Campers can also find campsites in and around the park.
Another novel thing about the park is the Al Ain Hot Springs. You can relax by dipping your feet in the water.
Jebel Hafeet Desert Park
The Jebel Hafeet Mountain is actually a part of a reserved desert park known as The Jebel Hafeet National Park. This park includes the Hafit Graves, Mezyad Fort, and related oases. The aim of this park is to preserve and restore the natural environment, the geology of the place, and at the same time, to attract tourists and make them learn about the area.
Other fun activities that can be done at the Jebel Hafeet Desert Park include hiking, biking, camping ( individual, serviced and luxury) and 4WD tours to explore different sections of the Park and a trip to the beautiful spots around Jebel Hafeet.
FAQs
What are some fun activites to do at the Jebel Hafeet Mountain Road?
You can take beautiful photographs, visit the Jebel Hafeet Desert Park for fun activities including hiking, biking, camping and 4WD tours, moreover, you can visit Jebel Hafeet Park & Hot Springs for a perfect evening outing or camping.
Can people set up BBQs at the Jebel Hafeet Mountain Road?
In 2018, Al Ain Municipality banned barbecues at the Jebel Hafeet Mountain Road after receiving numerous complaints of the negligent behaviour of visitors who were damaging the areas beautiful appearance. That said, at present, it is best to check with local authorities and the police in the area before setting up a barbecue.
That is all about planning a Jebel Hafeet road trip. Here is a guide about planning road trips to keep you prepared before you embark on a journey to your favourite spot. Besides, if you are looking for a car to make the road trip, take a look at these used cars for sale in the UAE.
Looking for some other places to explore in the UAE? Hatta can be a viable choice in this regard. You can reach there using the Dubai to Hatta bus or drive there as well.
For more on road trips around UAE, stay tuned to your favourite cars blog.