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Hebs village (Habs) hike of a 1,000 stone steps - 15 km loop/ 1100m elevation gain

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Photo ofHebs village (Habs) hike of a 1,000 stone steps - 15 km loop/ 1100m elevation gain Photo ofHebs village (Habs) hike of a 1,000 stone steps - 15 km loop/ 1100m elevation gain Photo ofHebs village (Habs) hike of a 1,000 stone steps - 15 km loop/ 1100m elevation gain

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Trail stats

Distance
6.06 mi
Elevation gain
26 ft
Technical difficulty
Moderate
Elevation loss
26 ft
Max elevation
2,759 ft
TrailRank 
51
Min elevation
606 ft
Trail type
Loop
Moving time
3 hours 57 minutes
Time
7 hours 52 minutes
Coordinates
74
Uploaded
January 22, 2022
Recorded
January 2022
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near Ra’s, Raʼs al Khaymah (Yunaayitid Arab Imireetis)

Viewed 375 times, downloaded 5 times

Trail photos

Photo ofHebs village (Habs) hike of a 1,000 stone steps - 15 km loop/ 1100m elevation gain Photo ofHebs village (Habs) hike of a 1,000 stone steps - 15 km loop/ 1100m elevation gain Photo ofHebs village (Habs) hike of a 1,000 stone steps - 15 km loop/ 1100m elevation gain

Itinerary description

Notes:
A perfect mid-intensity hike to do during the cooler months. If you start early (<7:00 am), then the ascend is extremely pleasant with no overhead sun. Please carry at least 2 ltrs+ water. This is not a marked hiking trail, rather a stone-laid path through the mountains, for the original residents - Al Hebsi of the Hebs village. You may be lucky to meet some wonderful local residents and enjoy a warm cup of kava (coffee) - as we did.

I believe that this village can be reached through a donkey trail, from Wadi Bih as well, but it may require one to cross in to Oman.

One can drive a sedan/SUV up to the starting point of this hike. To reach the starting point, you need to take a diversion from the road to Jebel Jais, into a gravel road.

The village is divided into lower Hebs and upper Hebs. This hike was up to the lower Hebs part of the village. For some reasons, the GPS hasn't accurately captured the trail length and elevation gain - however, there is little chance for anyone to miss the well-laid out trail to the village.
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We started the hike at 6:30am. The trail begins with an immediate ascend, with no opportunity for a warm-up. You will climb around 950-1000 stone steps, that crisscross through the steep mountain walls. This takes you to wide ground with a couple of stone houses. Here, we met one of the locals, Abdullah Hebsi, who was kind to invite us for a much needed cup of Arabic coffee. After a bit of a chit chat, we continued further to the Hebs village, while consistently gaining elevation.

The trail continues along the mountain ridges and eventually, you will reach the lower Hebs village. This village has ongoing construction of some new houses and we got another chance to experience the hospitality of some of the Pathans, who were working there. A cup of kadak chai, brewed over wood fire, freshened us up.

We decided to descend along the same route, as the trail is devoid of shade, along most of its length. Note that there are no boulders and you do not need to use your hands while ascending or descending, however, hiking poles are recommended during the descend.

The hike can be completed within a span of 6 hours, with minimum breaks.

Waypoints

PictographPanorama Altitude 630 ft
Photo ofPanorama

Panorama

PictographMountain pass Altitude 669 ft
Photo ofMountain pass Photo ofMountain pass

Mountain pass

PictographMountain pass Altitude 669 ft
Photo ofMountain pass

Mountain pass

PictographPanorama Altitude 669 ft
Photo ofPanorama

Panorama

PictographIntersection Altitude 1,294 ft
Photo ofIntersection

Intersection

PictographPanorama Altitude 1,351 ft
Photo ofRas Al Khaimah, panoramic

Ras Al Khaimah, panoramic

PictographMountain pass Altitude 1,466 ft
Photo ofMountain pass

Mountain pass

PictographMountain pass Altitude 1,767 ft
Photo ofTo Hebs village

To Hebs village

PictographPanorama Altitude 1,767 ft
Photo ofPanorama

Panorama

PictographPanorama Altitude 2,071 ft
Photo ofPanorama Photo ofPanorama

Panorama

PictographMountain pass Altitude 2,298 ft
Photo ofMountain pass Photo ofMountain pass

Mountain pass

PictographPanorama Altitude 2,298 ft
Photo ofPanorama

Panorama

PictographPanorama Altitude 2,298 ft
Photo ofPanorama Photo ofPanorama

Panorama

PictographIntersection Altitude 2,298 ft
Photo ofIntersection

Intersection

PictographMountain pass Altitude 2,545 ft
Photo ofMountain pass

Mountain pass

PictographWaypoint Altitude 2,545 ft
Photo ofFlora

Flora

PictographPanorama Altitude 2,544 ft
Photo ofPanorama

Panorama

PictographMountain hut Altitude 2,544 ft
Photo ofMountain hut

Mountain hut

PictographFauna Altitude 2,578 ft
Photo ofFlora Photo ofFlora

Flora

PictographSummit Altitude 2,578 ft
Photo ofFlora Photo ofFlora

Flora

PictographWilderness hut Altitude 2,731 ft
Photo ofWilderness hut Photo ofWilderness hut Photo ofWilderness hut

Wilderness hut

PictographPanorama Altitude 2,731 ft
Photo ofPanorama

Panorama

PictographPanorama Altitude 2,637 ft
Photo ofPanorama Photo ofPanorama

Panorama

PictographMountain pass Altitude 2,637 ft
Photo ofMountain pass

Mountain pass

PictographIntersection Altitude 2,637 ft
Photo ofGo left here, while climbing down

Go left here, while climbing down

PictographFlora Altitude 2,116 ft
Photo ofThe house of Abdalla

The house of Abdalla

PictographCastle Altitude 2,116 ft
Photo ofThe house of Abdalla's uncle. Beautifully constructed!!

The house of Abdalla's uncle. Beautifully constructed!!

PictographIntersection Altitude 1,682 ft
Photo ofIntersection

Intersection

PictographPanorama Altitude 1,477 ft
Photo ofPanorama

Panorama

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