Yinas - Wadi Naqab Red Wall Hike (Summit at the UAE flag)
Trail photos
Author
Trail stats
- Distance
- 8.25 mi
- Elevation gain
- 3,084 ft
- Technical difficulty
- Moderate
- Elevation loss
- 3,173 ft
- Max elevation
- 1,268 ft
- TrailRank
-
48
4
- Min elevation
- 413 ft
- Trail type
- One Way
- Moving time
- 4 hours 2 minutes
- Time
- 4 hours 56 minutes
- Coordinates
- 1952
- Uploaded
- January 1, 2021
- Recorded
- January 2021
near Yinas, Raʼs al Khaymah (United Arab Emirates)
Viewed 1599 times, downloaded 34 times
Trail photos
Itinerary description
Wadi Naqab -Red Wall hike (Up to flag point).
We parked at the point in the Wadi Naqab trail that breaks up into 2 subtrails - one towards the Sheri Village (right) and the other the Red Wall (left one; starting point on the map). The initial trail is fairly simple with stunning views of the never ending "red wall" on the right, as we pass through the trail. Nature soon absorbed us in the stunning topography at display. We passed a few man-made stone structures, however, did not stop to figure out what these were.
In around 45 mins time (depending on your pace), we started climbing huge boulders and the trail became less clear. There were a few cairns (rock formations) and red paint dots/arrows that guided us along the trail. I have marked the way points that were confusing to us and made us to pause and decide on the direction of the trail. A couple of passages were tricky and it helped to have four of us during the hike. At certain points, we had to scramble and one point required us to scramble through a small gap between two huge boulders. We hit a certain point that required to us to climb over a huge, smooth boulder, with minimal grip. After a thought to turn around, we decided to climb this boulder and having multiple members, helped. No ropes are required, however, it is a no-go if your shoes do not have a good grip or if you are a beginner hiker.
Post this boulder, the terrain was flat again, with the usual stunning views at display. The summit was reached after a bit of walking along a narrow ridge (on the left bank of the wadi, and it has a metal rope attached). Crossing the ridge, brings you to a fabulous large rock at the summit point. The beautiful UAE flag at the top of the wall just adds to the beauty of the surroundings. Expect to see some curious mountain goats at these heights.
You can continue further, however we weren't sure of where the trail leads to and hence decided to turn around the same trail. It took us longer to climb down as the boulders were tricky and we had to be extremely cautious. A highly recommended trail!
We parked at the point in the Wadi Naqab trail that breaks up into 2 subtrails - one towards the Sheri Village (right) and the other the Red Wall (left one; starting point on the map). The initial trail is fairly simple with stunning views of the never ending "red wall" on the right, as we pass through the trail. Nature soon absorbed us in the stunning topography at display. We passed a few man-made stone structures, however, did not stop to figure out what these were.
In around 45 mins time (depending on your pace), we started climbing huge boulders and the trail became less clear. There were a few cairns (rock formations) and red paint dots/arrows that guided us along the trail. I have marked the way points that were confusing to us and made us to pause and decide on the direction of the trail. A couple of passages were tricky and it helped to have four of us during the hike. At certain points, we had to scramble and one point required us to scramble through a small gap between two huge boulders. We hit a certain point that required to us to climb over a huge, smooth boulder, with minimal grip. After a thought to turn around, we decided to climb this boulder and having multiple members, helped. No ropes are required, however, it is a no-go if your shoes do not have a good grip or if you are a beginner hiker.
Post this boulder, the terrain was flat again, with the usual stunning views at display. The summit was reached after a bit of walking along a narrow ridge (on the left bank of the wadi, and it has a metal rope attached). Crossing the ridge, brings you to a fabulous large rock at the summit point. The beautiful UAE flag at the top of the wall just adds to the beauty of the surroundings. Expect to see some curious mountain goats at these heights.
You can continue further, however we weren't sure of where the trail leads to and hence decided to turn around the same trail. It took us longer to climb down as the boulders were tricky and we had to be extremely cautious. A highly recommended trail!
Waypoints
Mountain pass
554 ft
Panorama
Summit
Comments (13)
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Hey there, looks like exciting trail. I have done red wall before but not as far as you guys went. I wanted to ask if this is doable for 2 people as you mentioned having 4 when climbing big boulders helped. It would be me and my boyfriend who can help me out with higher and tricker parts.
Also, what is the current condition of the road leading to thw starting point of the hike? We dont have 4x4, so it always becones a longer hike for us. Was wondering how close can we reach nowadays (there was some construction half a year ago expanding the road..)
Hi Ausra, I did another Sheri village hike yesterday and had taken my "low ground clearance" sedan right up to the starting point of this hike. If you have done the Leopard Canyon trail, then to compare, the road to this hike's starting point is way better than the Leopard Canyon (Wadi Ghail gravel road) and can be reached using a sedan, driven carefully at slow speeds. I wouldn't suggest taking your car any further than this hike's starting point.
This hike should be doable for 2 hikers. A bit of assistance was required amongst us, to go over the smooth boulder (mentioned in the trail details). Just note that there are not many cairns (unlike the Sheri village trail) and hence, I think we were all free to discover the path to take. We did see a couple of other hikers in pairs, so yes, you should be fine taking this trail.
Go for it!
Thank you for your response. That is good to know that sedan can reach the starting point as it will save us almost 6km of walking. Yes, we did Leopard Canyon a month ago or so. It was very tough to drive a sedan towards wadi ghail. We were praying not to get stuck on the gravel road:))) And still we had to leave the car much earlier as one part of the road ahead looked too loose to risk it.
For the red wall hike, we aim to reach some sort of a village (probably an abandoned one), that I can see on google maps. We tried doing that back in June but came too late and it was notoriously hot to climb steeply.
You are welcome! Unfortunately, I did the same on Friday - took the sedan 3 kms inside towards Wadi Ghail, and finally gave up after too many stones rumbled against the car chassis. It was a mistake. Eventually turned around and reached Wadi Naqab to redo the Sheri Village hike :))
About the red wall hike, I think you will reach Sheri village if you continue the hike beyond the flag summit point. Not sure about it though. The best thing would be to camp at the top of Sheri village :)
If you happen to find/discover a "new" abandoned village, do let me know, please!
I think it was around 3km to max 4km that we could go into toward Wadi Ghail for the Leopard Canyon hike, then we just had to leave the car and walk quite a bit. I have recorded Leopard Canyon trail and marked where we parked sedan car.
Yes, I definitely will be happy to share new discoveries. Will be posting one nice unknown trail soon too.
Cool, looking forward to it!
Hi there, Can the trail inside be confusing? Especially once you’ve reached the boulders.. I can see some route taking the balcony route. Or is there a route going the boulders?
Hey Danielle. We took the route over and by the boulders. I did give a thought of taking the balcony route however, found it risky. I admit that the boulders could be confusing as there are no clear donkey trails. When you approach the summit, the only feasible option is the balcony route and you will also find a metal rope running horizontally, for a short distance. This is on the left of the trail.
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Information
Easy to follow
Scenery
Moderate
We went up through the wadi itself. There are two bits which are quite difficult but are doable. After each one there is an open area which is flat and easy. At the flag we chose a vertical climb and descent as opposed to following the wadi side paths. Going down we hugged the wadi paths and we’re down in about 45 minutes. Beautiful scenery and highly recommended. But wear the right hiking gear and take more than enough water.
How was the weather, Geoff? Did you do this hike in April? I remember that the trail is quite exposed to the sun, but we did this one in December and it was pleasant even at around noon.
Did it yesterday morning Hikersolf. The weather is staying unusually pleasant in UAE atm. We started at 6.06am and had reached the flag around 7.45am. Then we went straight up the steep bit instead the f going to the sides. What a great hike and the views down the canyon are in the memory bank. Thanks for uploading your trail pictures m the first place. It was very useful. Probably get another one in early doors next Friday...
Oh, wonderful. I missed out a hike yesterday but intend to do one the next Friday, if the weather permits. Probably just a last couple of weekends of day hiking!
Agreed.