EMIRATOS (EAU) - Ras al-Khaimah (RAK) - Wadi Rahabah - Rahba Dam - Wadi Rahabah Cave - Stardust Climbing Crag
Trail photos
Author
Trail stats
- Distance
- 5.54 mi
- Elevation gain
- 3,432 ft
- Technical difficulty
- Moderate
- Elevation loss
- 3,432 ft
- Max elevation
- 1,265 ft
- TrailRank
-
77
5
- Min elevation
- 155 ft
- Trail type
- Loop
- Time
- 4 hours 36 minutes
- Coordinates
- 1590
- Uploaded
- December 12, 2023
- Recorded
- December 2023
near Sayḩ, Raʼs al Khaymah (United Arab Emirates)
Viewed 157 times, downloaded 3 times
Trail photos
Itinerary description
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UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (UAE) - Ras al-Khaimah (RAK) - Wadi Rahabah / Wadi Rahba - From Rahba Dam to Wadi Rahabah Cave, Stardust Climbing Crag, and bottom of the wadi
The Wadi Raḩabah is formed mainly on the western slope of the Jabal Raḩabah (Arabic: جبل رحبة) , which with its 1,543 m. It is one of the highest peaks in the UAE.
The wadi receives different names, depending on the transcription made of its Arabic name, thus it is named as Wādī Raḩabah, Wādī Raḩbah (ar), Wadi Rahabah, Wadi Rahaba, Wadi Rahbah, Wādī Raḩabah and Wādī Raḩbah.
In the maps and documents prepared between 1956 and 1971 by the British Arabist, cartographer, soldier and diplomat Julian F. Walker , during the work carried out to establish borders between the then called Trucial States, the Wadi Rahabah appears referenced in multiple occasions, among others in the more detailed map of 1971 ( Ref. FCO 18/1785 -1971 -Trucial States, Muscat and Oman: Al Rams , in which it appears with the spelling Wādī Raḩabah .
Clipping of the reference map Ref. FCO 18/1785 -1971 -Trucial States, Muscat and Oman: Al Rams
The route through this wadi is short, but of great interest, offering three relevant points: a picturesque cave , located a short distance from the wadi bed, which is accessed through stone stairs (150 steps); a very popular climbing practice area, known as Stardust Climbing Crag ; and at the head of the valley some very interesting ruins of old stone cabins , terraces, sheepfolds and even a cemetery. There are also fossils.
The town was historically inhabited by the Bani Shutayr tribe (Arabic: بني شطير) , one of the two main sections of the semi-nomadic Shihuh tribe, which occupied, among other territories, the Mahabib tribal area.
Wadi Rahabah Cave, from inside
Stardust Climbing Crag. Well-known climbing practice area
area of ruined cabins, of what was an important town. Cave on a balcony, with buildings inside
Although we have not located the spring, we are sure that in that area at the head of the wadi there is a well or source that could supply water to the town. An interesting place worth exploring in more detail.
On the way back, we pay attention to the mouth of the Wādi Zirе̄b , a right tributary of the Wadi Rahabah, which merges with it for 1 km. before the dam, and which also stands out for its deep canyon, which could end up being devoured by the neighboring Stevin Rock quarry. At this confluence point there is also a group of dry stone constructions and evidence of an ancient settlement.
ACCESS TO THE ITINERARY AND PARKING:
The starting point of the route (the Wadi Rahabah Dam - Rahba Dam) can be accessed with a sedan car, although to get there there is a short stretch of track and it is possible that the GPS will wrongly direct us along Al Maha St. , through a residential area, where the track is not in good condition.
To avoid this section, it is preferable to indicate the GPS coordinates 25.928235 56.066772 (Al Hikma St.) , and follow that wide and paved street until the beginning of the track that goes to Rahba Dam, indicated at the intersection with a rudimentary poster, and that it is in much better condition than the first.
The coordinates of Rahba Dam dam and parking lot are 25.925317, 56.071311 .
With an all-terrain vehicle you can reach the area where the cave is located, at km. 2.6 of the itinerary.
DIFFICULTY LEVEL OF THIS ROUTE:
The degree of difficulty of a route is measured mainly based on three factors: effort, technicality and risk , although the real difficulty of an itinerary must also take into account other variables, such as the weather situation, the weight of the backpack and the preparation. or physical form of the walker, who must know how to evaluate himself.
To know the physical difficulty or physical effort required, it is useful to use an automatic assessment system, such as the one provided by the PPI index. This is the index that corresponds to this route:
IBP index: 48 HKG
Total distance: 8.74 km
Desn. Accumulated climb: 433.39 m
Desn. Accumulated descent: 449.6 m
Maximum height: 380.59 m
Minimum height: 47.4 m
Total time: 4:36:52 h
Moving time: 3:02:29 h
Stopped time: 1:34:23 h
Total average speed: 1.89 km/h
Average moving speed: 2.87 km/h
IBP index. IBP index is an automatic rating system that rates the physical difficulty of a route
GENERAL TABLE OF TECHNICAL DIFFICULTY AND RISK LEVELS:
Pictograms with the degrees of technical difficulty and risk of a hiking route
TECHNICAL DIFFICULTY LEVEL OF THIS ITINERARY:
Level 3: LOW DIFFICULTY: Route or section of route that presents at least one obstacle of a height less than or equal to knee height. The posture of the foot adapts to the irregularity of the support. The placement of the supports is carried out on the areas with the best grip. This degree of difficulty of the route is mainly concentrated in the final section of the itinerary, in which we will have to make our way between large rocks, sometimes using our hands to find support.
RISK LEVEL OF THIS ITINERARY:
Level 2: FAIRLY LOW: Fairly low accident risk level. Hazard exposure remains limited. Injuries are possible but minor (examples: path in quite marked relief with possible presence of embankments, possible dislocation and sprains in case of fall...)
The Wadi Raḩabah is formed mainly on the western slope of the Jabal Raḩabah (Arabic: جبل رحبة) , which with its 1,543 m. It is one of the highest peaks in the UAE.
The wadi receives different names, depending on the transcription made of its Arabic name, thus it is named as Wādī Raḩabah, Wādī Raḩbah (ar), Wadi Rahabah, Wadi Rahaba, Wadi Rahbah, Wādī Raḩabah and Wādī Raḩbah.
In the maps and documents prepared between 1956 and 1971 by the British Arabist, cartographer, soldier and diplomat Julian F. Walker , during the work carried out to establish borders between the then called Trucial States, the Wadi Rahabah appears referenced in multiple occasions, among others in the more detailed map of 1971 ( Ref. FCO 18/1785 -1971 -Trucial States, Muscat and Oman: Al Rams , in which it appears with the spelling Wādī Raḩabah .
Clipping of the reference map Ref. FCO 18/1785 -1971 -Trucial States, Muscat and Oman: Al Rams
The route through this wadi is short, but of great interest, offering three relevant points: a picturesque cave , located a short distance from the wadi bed, which is accessed through stone stairs (150 steps); a very popular climbing practice area, known as Stardust Climbing Crag ; and at the head of the valley some very interesting ruins of old stone cabins , terraces, sheepfolds and even a cemetery. There are also fossils.
The town was historically inhabited by the Bani Shutayr tribe (Arabic: بني شطير) , one of the two main sections of the semi-nomadic Shihuh tribe, which occupied, among other territories, the Mahabib tribal area.
Wadi Rahabah Cave, from inside
Stardust Climbing Crag. Well-known climbing practice area
area of ruined cabins, of what was an important town. Cave on a balcony, with buildings inside
Although we have not located the spring, we are sure that in that area at the head of the wadi there is a well or source that could supply water to the town. An interesting place worth exploring in more detail.
On the way back, we pay attention to the mouth of the Wādi Zirе̄b , a right tributary of the Wadi Rahabah, which merges with it for 1 km. before the dam, and which also stands out for its deep canyon, which could end up being devoured by the neighboring Stevin Rock quarry. At this confluence point there is also a group of dry stone constructions and evidence of an ancient settlement.
ACCESS TO THE ITINERARY AND PARKING:
The starting point of the route (the Wadi Rahabah Dam - Rahba Dam) can be accessed with a sedan car, although to get there there is a short stretch of track and it is possible that the GPS will wrongly direct us along Al Maha St. , through a residential area, where the track is not in good condition.
To avoid this section, it is preferable to indicate the GPS coordinates 25.928235 56.066772 (Al Hikma St.) , and follow that wide and paved street until the beginning of the track that goes to Rahba Dam, indicated at the intersection with a rudimentary poster, and that it is in much better condition than the first.
The coordinates of Rahba Dam dam and parking lot are 25.925317, 56.071311 .
With an all-terrain vehicle you can reach the area where the cave is located, at km. 2.6 of the itinerary.
DIFFICULTY LEVEL OF THIS ROUTE:
The degree of difficulty of a route is measured mainly based on three factors: effort, technicality and risk , although the real difficulty of an itinerary must also take into account other variables, such as the weather situation, the weight of the backpack and the preparation. or physical form of the walker, who must know how to evaluate himself.
To know the physical difficulty or physical effort required, it is useful to use an automatic assessment system, such as the one provided by the PPI index. This is the index that corresponds to this route:
IBP index: 48 HKG
Total distance: 8.74 km
Desn. Accumulated climb: 433.39 m
Desn. Accumulated descent: 449.6 m
Maximum height: 380.59 m
Minimum height: 47.4 m
Total time: 4:36:52 h
Moving time: 3:02:29 h
Stopped time: 1:34:23 h
Total average speed: 1.89 km/h
Average moving speed: 2.87 km/h
IBP index. IBP index is an automatic rating system that rates the physical difficulty of a route
GENERAL TABLE OF TECHNICAL DIFFICULTY AND RISK LEVELS:
Pictograms with the degrees of technical difficulty and risk of a hiking route
TECHNICAL DIFFICULTY LEVEL OF THIS ITINERARY:
Level 3: LOW DIFFICULTY: Route or section of route that presents at least one obstacle of a height less than or equal to knee height. The posture of the foot adapts to the irregularity of the support. The placement of the supports is carried out on the areas with the best grip. This degree of difficulty of the route is mainly concentrated in the final section of the itinerary, in which we will have to make our way between large rocks, sometimes using our hands to find support.
RISK LEVEL OF THIS ITINERARY:
Level 2: FAIRLY LOW: Fairly low accident risk level. Hazard exposure remains limited. Injuries are possible but minor (examples: path in quite marked relief with possible presence of embankments, possible dislocation and sprains in case of fall...)
Waypoints
Photo
169 ft
Inicio del recorrido en la presa del Wadi Rahabah. Rahba Dam
Inicio del recorrido en la presa del Wadi Rahabah. Rahba Dam
Photo
258 ft
Wadi Rahabah. Al fondo, el Jabal Rahabah, del que sobresale parte de la torre de comunicaciones situada en su cima
Wadi Rahabah. In the background, the Jabal Rahabah, from which part of the communications tower located at its summit protrudes
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Photo
256 ft
Desembocadura de Wādi Zirе̄b, afluente por la derecha del Wadi Rahabah. Cabañas y otras construcciones de piedra
Mouth of Wādi Zirе̄b, right tributary of the Wadi Rahabah. Cabins and other stone constructions
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Photo
533 ft
Granja en el costado izquierdo del Wadi Rahabah. Gran rebaño de cabras
Farm on the left side of Wadi Rahabah. Large herd of goats
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Cave
570 ft
La Cueva del Wadi Rahabah - Wadi Rahba Cave y construcciones de servicio y acceso. 150 escalones de piedra para subir
The Wadi Rahabah Cave - Wadi Rahba Cave and service and access buildings. 150 stone steps to climb to the cave
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Photo
624 ft
Stardust Climbing Crag. Conocida zona de práctica de escalada
Stardust Climbing Crag. Conocida zona de práctica de escalada
Photo
691 ft
The Path of the Fiftieth Year. Corto tramo peldañeado
The Path of the Fiftieth Year. Corto tramo peldañeado
Ruins
751 ft
Ruinas de una antigua cabaña de piedra y bancales
Ruinas de una antigua cabaña de piedra y bancales
Photo
777 ft
Bifurcación del wadi. Seguimos el ramal de la izquierda
Bifurcación del wadi. Seguimos el ramal de la izquierda
Ruins
778 ft
Otra zona con ruinas de cabañas de piedra y bancales
Otra zona con ruinas de cabañas de piedra y bancales
Photo
901 ft
Más ruinas. Gran cantidad de conchas marinas. ¿Cómo llegaron hasta aquí?
More ruins. Lots of seashells. How did they get here?
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Photo
1,133 ft
Tramos de sendero o camino de herradura hacia la pared del fondo del wadi. Es posible que conduzca a algún pozo o manantial
Sections of path or bridle path towards the back wall of the wadi. It may lead to a well or spring.
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Photo
1,256 ft
La pared está ya a pocos metros de distancia, y las rocas son cada vez más grandes y obligan a trepar con pies y manos
The wall is already a few meters away, and the rocks are getting bigger and bigger and require you to climb with your hands and feet.
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Ruins
997 ft
Otras tomas de la zona de ruinas de cabañas, de lo que fue un importante poblado. Cueva en balcón
Other shots of the area of ruined cabins, of what was an important town. Cave on a balcony, with buildings inside
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Comments (2)
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Welcome back to UAE!
Bonita y exigente ruta con fuerte desnivel. Un abrazo