Jais Southern Expedition: Shah to Wadi Bih via Wadi Al Far.
ECC Adventures takes you through Ras Al Khaimah's most dramatic mountain corridors for an adventure you will never forget: Wadi Al Far, beginning just off the Jebel Jais highway before Bear Grylls Explorers Camp and Wadi Shah. The trail is rugged, demanding, and deeply rewarding — combining steep ascents, village ruins, fossil-rich limestone, and breathtaking canyon views.
Trail Description
The journey begins with a steep stone staircase, leading quickly into a strenuous climb. For the first 1–2 hours, trekkers scramble up zig-zag game trails and boulder-strewn paths, requiring endurance and careful footing.
Upon reaching the first mountain village, hikers pass through remnants of terrace farms and stone houses. From here, the ascent steepens again, climbing past further ruins and exposed ridgelines. The route demands scrambling and balance, with significant exposure in certain sections.
A highlight of this segment is the narrow cavern entrance, carved into rock formations, which must be passed to access the upper reaches of the trail. Beyond the cavern, the landscape shifts to darker-toned limestone ridges, where hikers can spot fossils, quartz crystal formations, and additional traces of ancient mountain life, including ovens and terraces.
From this vantage, sweeping views of the southern Jebel Jais ridgelines unfold. The route then transitions into a second steep scramble, leading down to the scree slopes and finally into the gravel basin of Wadi Bih. This final descent is technical and requires caution, but rewards trekkers with entry into one of the UAE’s most legendary wadis.
Reserve your spot with us at ECC Adventures for this advanced hike that is part our of the Challenger Expedition series, created for the high-flyers of our commmunity.
Hike participation is strictly limited to advanced hikers and reserved for our Challenger Expedition members or via invite only.
Difficulty: Expedition Level 4.5 / 5
Key Highlights:
- 1-Day Expedition
- Segement 2 of ECC Adventures' flagship Trans Emirates Trail (TET)
- Challenging staircase and scrambling ascent from Jebel Jais highway.
- Historic terrace farms, house ruins, and ovens scattered across multiple villages.
- A unique cavern passageway through mountain rock.
- Fossil and quartz-rich limestone formations near the summit.
- Scenic exposure across southern Jebel Jais ridgelines.
- Final technical descent into Wadi Bih, one of the region’s iconic valleys.
Safety:
No support along the route. Participants must bring sufficient water, food, and navigation/communication tools.
ECC Guidance:
Led by ECC experts, ensuring navigation through exposed sections, cavern crossings, and scree descents.
This route is NOT for beginners and is strictly for experienced and seasoned hikers: it demands excellent conditioning, navigation confidence, and resilience. But those who complete it will experience the UAE’s mountains at their most raw and awe-inspiring conditions.
- Experienced and certified mountain guide (English speaking)
- Outdoor education, Assistant Guide/s
- First Aid
- Hat
- Backpack
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- 1-2 liters of water (DEC – MAR) | 2-3 liters of water (for the rest of the months).
- Salted snacks and/or fruit for a few hours of hiking with a little extra.
- Hiking boots or trainers with good grip/not worn out.
- Shorts or comfortable hiking pants/leggings.
- T-shirt light pullover for sun protection/warmth in the morning/evening.
- Trekking poles (optional to help with balance or mitigate fatigue).
