The seaside city of Khorfakkan in Sharjah is truly a hidden gem in the UAE. Along with chilled beach town vibes, gorgeous waterfall and amphitheater, amazing local food, and the Al Rabi Mountain Trail, the city holds hundreds of years of history as a thriving port and one viciously attacked by the Portuguese once upon a time.

The drive from downtown Dubai to the Al Rabi Mountain Trail is approximately 1.5 hours on a scenic road surrounded by mountains. No 4x4s needed. At this time (Jan 2021), as per the local law, only 3 non-family passengers are allowed per vehicle including the driver.

Here’s a guide on how to navigate the hike and spend a few hours exploring the city.

I love a fresh fruit stand on the road and guess what the highway to Khorfakkan has plenty of? Those mini bananas are delicious. They’re practically one bite.

The Al Rabi Mountain Trail begins at the Al Rabi Tower, one of the first of a series of watchtowers in the city used to look out for any trespassers. It dates back to 1915 A.D. If you arrive early enough, you may be able to find a parking spot just by the tower, which will save you from an uphill walk from the larger parking lot. But if you don’t find a spot, think of the walk as a warm-up. P.S If you’re planning the hike with children, I’d advise dropping them off by the tower, before looking for parking.

The trail is super easy to follow and is signposted everywhere. It would be hard to get lost. The highest peak has an elevation of 1290 ft / 395 m. For reference, that would make it higher than the Eiffel Tower which is 1063 ft / 324 m. On the way up, there’s a message from today’s Ruler of Sharjah, Sheikh Sultan Al Qassimi which reads: ‘God cherished nature. We are wary of man’s tampering with nature. If you love Sultan, appreciate what he has done for nature’. So please, leave nothing but footprints!

The trail can get quite busy on weekends, particularly on Fridays. So a Saturday hike is your best bet. The hike to the first peak takes 1.5 hours where you’ll find the 1st UAE flag, and panoramic views of the city. Here I usually sit down for a break and a bite, mesmerized by the views of the turquoise waters below. Afterwards, I continue the trail which goes downhill to a rest area before going back uphill again.

This rest area has a prayer mat with the qibla direction pointed towards Mecca for anyone who wants to pray mid-hike!

Another 30 min hike from the rest area will have you reaching the summit at 1290 ft / 395 m. Breathtaking. Time for another short break and almost compulsory ‘I made it’ photo by the flag. Then you can start your descent down. The trail down will eventually converge to the same one going up, and should take 1.5 hours to make it back to your car!

This hike usually works up my appetite and I love eating where the locals go. So I would recommend visiting Hosn Khorfakkan Restaurant (مطعم حصن خورفكان). This place on a few occasions had a loooong line of people waiting so I would definitely suggest calling ahead to make a reservation (if they’ll take one), or arrive not-so-hangry as you’ll likely be waiting. Alternatively, here are a few other recommendations suggested by an Emirati friend who lives in Khorfakkan:

• Hekayat Bait Café / مطعم حكاية بيت 

• Ahel Al Daar Pastry Bakery / مطعم اهل الدار

If you want to grab something quicker, there’s a Hardees and Pizza Hut just right by the amphitheater and many other cafeterias on the roads.

Khorfakkan is known for its seafood so I order the machboos rubyan. That’s shrimp with seasoned rice. The secret is to add a lot of lemon and veggies. Heavenly!

After a delicious lunch, I would suggest a trip to the Khorfakkan Corniche. There, you’ll see the new man-made waterfall as well as the Khorfakkan amphitheater which is inspired by Roman designs. My advice would be to park on an alternative road to avoid the inevitable traffic around both attractions. After, you can head to the Khorfakkan Corniche and Beach area which are also lovely to walk by, or set up a picnic in.

To anyone who wants to step off the well-worn path, here’s a reminder of the incredible city of Khorfakkan with its lush palm groves, gorgeous mountains, wild beaches, and small villages out there to explore.