Hidden Oasis - Wadi Shah to Jebel Jais, Ras Al Khaimah, UAE
Trail photos
Author
Trail stats
- Distance
- 5.52 mi
- Elevation gain
- 2,986 ft
- Technical difficulty
- Moderate
- Elevation loss
- 131 ft
- Max elevation
- 4,270 ft
- TrailRank
-
82
5
- Min elevation
- 1,366 ft
- Trail type
- One Way
- Moving time
- 2 hours 13 minutes
- Time
- 3 hours 18 minutes
- Coordinates
- 1521
- Uploaded
- April 10, 2022
- Recorded
- April 2022
near Shāh, Raʼs al Khaymah (United Arab Emirates)
Viewed 5395 times, downloaded 195 times
Trail photos
Itinerary description
Hidden Oasis
Hidden Oasis is located in RAK at the foot of Jebel Jais. It is also known as Sal Shuha (سل شحة). It is a lavish green field with palm trees surrounded by mountains. The Hidden Oasis is usually green after the first rain in autumn till April depending on weather conditions. In my case, it was quite green at the beginning of April.
Difficulty
I mark it as intermediate mainly because of the 900m+ elevation gain, but the hike is well-defined, properly marked, and does not require any specific skills. It is just about your stamina. Technically it is an easy hike.
Trail
It is a beautiful intermediate trail. You start from Wadi Shah, Bear Grylls, reach Hidden Oasis, and climb Jebel Jais. Trail parts:
1) P-01 - P-07. Dirt road in Wadi Jib.
Since 2021 this part of the trail became just a dirt road with dam construction at P-06. Probably it will change a bit in the future but it is straightforward, just follow the road direction. After P-03 watch for a sign on the right side at 25.910662, 56.141301. It will take you to the balcony walk later merging with the same trail.
2) P-07 - P-13. Trail in Wadi Jib
When you reach P-07 turn right and soon P-08 is a location where now in fact the trail starts. Now there is a well-laid trail with man-maid steps like you can see at P-12 but as alternative you still can do some boulder hopping. At the end of this part you will reach Hidden Oasis at P-13.
3) P-14 - P-26. Main ascend and Shahha Village.
After the oasis, you will start climbing Jabal Jeis. It is a steep route with an amazing view of the Hidden Oasis and Wadi Shah top. On the way, you will pass Shahha Village.
Alternatives with one car
1) The most popular option for beginners is to reach Hidden Oasis and go back.
2) To Shahha Village and back. This option will let you gain more elevation than just going to Hidden Oasis.
3) An intermediate hike via 7 villages of Shahha area
https://www.wikiloc.com/hiking-trails/hidden-oasis-villages-of-shaha-ras-al-khaimah-uae-sl-shh-rs-lkhym-129460025
Parking
This trail requires two cars. Park one car at the end of the trail at 25.943119, 56.141997 (it is a proper parking spot) then drive back to Wadi Shah and park the second car next to Bear Grylls (old Via Ferrata) 25.899797, 56.141828. 4x4 is not required. I saw cars parked at P-08 as an alternative. So you can drive P-01 - P-08 but it is clearly mentioned there that the road is only for construction. I saw sedans at P-08. Road quality can change since heavy trucks are using it for construction. In this case, you do not have to walk 3 km on the dirt road. Another alternative - you can park the second car at 25.907255, 56.140445 right after "Lahsa" board sign about 1 km after Bear Grylls.
Must-have gear
1) High-cut hiking shoes
2) 4 liters of water
3) Sun protective clothing
Hidden Oasis is located in RAK at the foot of Jebel Jais. It is also known as Sal Shuha (سل شحة). It is a lavish green field with palm trees surrounded by mountains. The Hidden Oasis is usually green after the first rain in autumn till April depending on weather conditions. In my case, it was quite green at the beginning of April.
Difficulty
I mark it as intermediate mainly because of the 900m+ elevation gain, but the hike is well-defined, properly marked, and does not require any specific skills. It is just about your stamina. Technically it is an easy hike.
Trail
It is a beautiful intermediate trail. You start from Wadi Shah, Bear Grylls, reach Hidden Oasis, and climb Jebel Jais. Trail parts:
1) P-01 - P-07. Dirt road in Wadi Jib.
Since 2021 this part of the trail became just a dirt road with dam construction at P-06. Probably it will change a bit in the future but it is straightforward, just follow the road direction. After P-03 watch for a sign on the right side at 25.910662, 56.141301. It will take you to the balcony walk later merging with the same trail.
2) P-07 - P-13. Trail in Wadi Jib
When you reach P-07 turn right and soon P-08 is a location where now in fact the trail starts. Now there is a well-laid trail with man-maid steps like you can see at P-12 but as alternative you still can do some boulder hopping. At the end of this part you will reach Hidden Oasis at P-13.
3) P-14 - P-26. Main ascend and Shahha Village.
After the oasis, you will start climbing Jabal Jeis. It is a steep route with an amazing view of the Hidden Oasis and Wadi Shah top. On the way, you will pass Shahha Village.
Alternatives with one car
1) The most popular option for beginners is to reach Hidden Oasis and go back.
2) To Shahha Village and back. This option will let you gain more elevation than just going to Hidden Oasis.
3) An intermediate hike via 7 villages of Shahha area
https://www.wikiloc.com/hiking-trails/hidden-oasis-villages-of-shaha-ras-al-khaimah-uae-sl-shh-rs-lkhym-129460025
Parking
This trail requires two cars. Park one car at the end of the trail at 25.943119, 56.141997 (it is a proper parking spot) then drive back to Wadi Shah and park the second car next to Bear Grylls (old Via Ferrata) 25.899797, 56.141828. 4x4 is not required. I saw cars parked at P-08 as an alternative. So you can drive P-01 - P-08 but it is clearly mentioned there that the road is only for construction. I saw sedans at P-08. Road quality can change since heavy trucks are using it for construction. In this case, you do not have to walk 3 km on the dirt road. Another alternative - you can park the second car at 25.907255, 56.140445 right after "Lahsa" board sign about 1 km after Bear Grylls.
Must-have gear
1) High-cut hiking shoes
2) 4 liters of water
3) Sun protective clothing
Waypoints
Car park
1,283 ft
Waypoint
Flora
Photo
Panorama
Comments (8)
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Good hike!
hello! is it possible to do with one car?
Hi Anastasia, no, as soon as you reach the top you will have to return and it is a long way back. You can do it in the following way - go to the point where I finished. There is a proper parking there. Leave your car there and descent to the oasis. After that use the same way to return to your car. It is a classic way to the hidden oasis from Jebel Jais
thank you Anton… let me try to figure out.
I noticed you are an experienced hiker - any suggestions for solo hiking in UAE?
Generally, it is not recommended to hike alone in the UAE, due to rough terrain and heat. However, this route is easy. The path is clear. Many people do it. Just make sure you have 3 liters of water, proper hiking shoes, and a hat. There are very easy and popular treks in the UAE like Al Rabi tower and Wadi Shawka. You can find them in my profile and do them alone. Better to download gps tracks to follow
Hi Anton, thank you for the detailed explanation. I would like to ask since we only have one car, we are planning to hike either from the top of the trail, reach the hidden oasis, and go back the same way, or from the bottom. Which part is more scenic- from the top going down, or from the bottom, going up? Thank you
Hi Ausra, I recommend you to start at the top of JJ (my finish location) and go down to Hidden oasis. After that you can return to your car. It is much more scenic.
A significant part of the route from Bear Grylls (Wadi Shah start) to Hidden oasis was turned into a dam construction area when i was there last time. I am sure the construction is over now but you will just walk on the dirt row.
Hi Anton, thank you for your fast response and advice, appreciate it :)