Riyamah

Riyamah, surrounded by limestone canyons, is a defiant mountain that lies at the heart of Taween Fujairah. Straddling the villages of Taween and Jerief, the trail offers a tranquil escape within nature’s embrace.

This mountainous haven comprises of about 43 houses, home to over 200 residents from the ancient communities of the Al-Yamahi and Al-Hammoudi families. Agriculture flourishes in Riyamah, with 30 farms producing dates, various produce (mangoes and sweet and sour lemons), medicinal herbs, as well as the highly sought-after natural honey and its reputed health benefits. The people of the area once faced challenges due to its wide open location at the foot of many large valley exits, with strong and sweeping slopes hindering the movement of its residents during flash floods. The residents’ appreciation for the surroundings and due to the efforts of their leaders and the dams put into place, the valley is at the crux of ancient tradition and modern cultural sensibilities.

Trail Details

Various large valleys lay at the foot of the mountain, hiding folded and compressed rock formations similar to that of Wadi Thaena (Rainbow Valley), but comprised entirely of limestone, unlike the metamorphic and trace minerals found in its sister wadi. Climbing towards the flat summit or plateaue will reveal million year old secrets within the rocks: fossilized coral, brachiopods, snails, clams, bryozoans, crinoids, and one-celled fusulinids.

Once the summit has been conquered, the plateua reveals the village of Taween around the mountain. The trek will find participants descending back into the narrow canyons below, which will require a bit of scrambling and light treading. Finally, we will return to the farms at the base of the mountain and back to the starting point, completing the loop of Riyamah!