Wadi Shah-Helek and Takem Villages Loop Hike (2023)

Helek Takem Villages Loop Hike

Wadi Shah-Helek & Takem Villages Loop Hike.
Beautiful hike with trails, scree, loose rocks, scenic Wadi, balcony walk, manmade staircase, little bouldering and nice views.

If you followed my trail, referred my detailed text and if it helped you in achieving your goal or not, Kindly leave a comment / review on wikiloc post after your hike.
It will be helpful for fellow hikers to understand the trail and your inputs will be appreciated.

My non commercial FB Page dedicated to UAE Hiking activities.
Please follow and like the page for previous hikes and future hikes updates.
https://www.facebook.com/Patricks-Hikes-101251445547970

At Bear Grylls now there is limited parking, so please be considerate to park and not block the access road. You can park here as we did.
25.900090, 56.141750
https://maps.app.goo.gl/uHd8QcHFS1RYunCU8

You can also park here near Wadi Lahsa, in case of shaortage of parking at Bear Grylls.
25.903543, 56.141474
https://goo.gl/maps/aUMDmuc2qbegaTWT9

Passed by Bear Grylls, walked further towards Wadi Shah new dam, then took right fork towards the Jebel Yabana route.

Once we took right fork, the Wadi further has few links in the right and left by way of trail marker cairns.
There are few hike combinations possible here.

We walked straight into the Wadi via some nicely polished wadi floor, some natural stairs formations and went further.
There is 2 nice dry waterfalls in the left side.
There are few manmade stairs and cemented here and there, just keep looking for them and you will find the path.

Eventually you reach a steep stable scree which takes you on the 1st ascent, the path is well laid with properly made path, some stairs and very much stable and visible.

Once you reach the 1st ascent summit, you can see the connection trail in the right side which can take you down directly to wadi Shah via alternative trail.

We continued straight into the Wadi and the eventually reach a point of 2nd steep ascent scree which is also the final push for this trail.
This segment is bit loose at places and take your time and climb slowly.
You need to look for the path /cairns / steps / stairs at places to walk further.
Just target to hike to the mountain plateau in front of you, and you will find your path.

You will soon reach a tree, take right from there and you will see some abandoned stone houses which are very ancient.
From here, if you turn back, you can see the 1st house of Helek village.
From here, you hike towards the left which leads you to the Helek village.

At this point, the summit of Yabana mountain is also visible in the right side.

At Helek village, there are some well maintained houses and there is a Majlis which can be used as rest point.
The gate to the Majlis of the 1st house is usually unlocked, please make sure not to leave any rubbish and also to close the gate while leaving.
Please dont leave any rubbish here, please take it with you.

After a break, we started our walk towards Takem village via a faint trail which basically has only 1 functional house. On the way, you can see a big cemetery in the right side, it gives an idea of large population that lived here once upon a time.

From this village, we started our gradual descent to the last terrace field behind which you can locate perfectly constructed narrow stairs to descend down.
From this point the Wadi Shah area is already visible.
The stairs take you down steep down with short distance.
Soon you will reach a beautiful balcony that has a nice view and from the end of the balcony you can descend into the Wadi via some steep scree, but stable.

From the wadi below, the trail goes always inside the Wadi and at times at the side walls and short balconies.

You need to keep looking for the path here and there.

The key to your path is any proper steps / path sometimes hidden but you will not get lost. There are many staircases built here and there.
They are bit narrow and you will have to hold onto the rock walls to stabilise yourself and then descend.

This whole trail is safe so no need to pass by any dangerous spots, just keep looking for small and narrow steps. Sometimes they are hidden but if you look for them at obvious places, they will be visible.

There are no markers anywhere.

Finally you will reach the Wadi Shah section and join into the trail you walked before.

Be prepared with all standard and additional hiking items and nutrition.
Be safe, prepare well, Do not over estimate and enjoy your moments in the middle of nowhere. Take back all your rubbish with you.

Do Not Try Any Mountain Hikes If You Do Not Understand The Mountain Terrains, Dangers From Wildlife, First Aid, Hydration And Snacks, Your Own Fitness, Remote Activity Preparations, Communication Tools, Mountain Geography, Topography, Risk Factors, HSE Requirements, Hiking Risks, Fitness Level Of The Group Members.
Study All Above Matters Well Before Following Any Trails That You Find Online. Please Do Not Over Estimate Yourself.
Better Be Safe Than Put Yourself / Group In Danger And Regret Later.
Lately We Have Seen A Lot Of Unwanted Hiking Incidents That Could Have Been Avoided With Better Preparation.
Wish You All The Best.
Wikiloc, Only For Reference. There Can Be Errors On The GPS Recording Due To GPS Jumping In The Wadi Sections or Erroneous Recording.