Best Off-Road Trails In The UAE For Beginners & Experts

The off-roading season has begun, and for all of you who fancy a ride across the golden dunes of our country, you are on the right page. The rolling desert landscape of the UAE offers nothing but fun for off-roading enthusiasts. Whether you are a resident of Dubai or other Emirates in the UAE, you should know that the rugged desert area is great for this motorsport.

Top Off-Road Trails For Beginners In The UAE

Beginner off-road enthusiasts should explore the following trails in the UAE.

1. Fossil Rock (Sharjah)

➔ Starting point coordinates: 25.141861, 55.862917

The area behind Fossil rock is one worth visiting if you plan on taking your off-road vehicle for a spin. Ideal for beginners, the zone is full of small dunes in height and soft sand. There are a lot of advantages, as you can also spot some trees around, making it the perfect UAE off-road spot for beginners. You can also see some cars passing nearby, so if you ever get stuck, there will likely be someone to help you. However, knowing that the other side of Fossil Rock has sand is more challenging, along with more rocks and small stones.

2. Al Faya (Sharjah)

➔ Starting point coordinates: 25.127417, 55.839083

Al Faya is next on our list – known as a great off-road desert trail in the UAE. You will be amazed to see the great landscape and admire the dunes, which are so high that they collide with mountains in the background. Al Faya is very popular for off-road groups, so you will likely find some trains to follow. You will also likely spot some off-roaders – most of them used to gather around the highest dune in the region after all day of off-roading. Sadly, this practice has stopped, and there is a big sign “DO NOT APPROACH” preventing people from going to the dune’s top.

3. Al Badayer (Sharjah)

➔ Starting point coordinates: 24.968528, 55.694806

Third on our list of beginner off-road trails in the UAE is Al Badayer, where you can also see some signs preventing you from accessing the area. You will notice that there is a small shop near the starting point, which is commonly a place where off-roaders inflate their car tyres in case they want to come back to the same point once finishing their adventure. The sand is best on the right side of the Big Red dune, with low dunes that are ideal for beginners.

4. Pink Rock (Sharjah)

➔ Starting point coordinates: 25.041056, 55.732444

Pink Rock is last on our list of beginner off-road trails in the UAE. Its name is derived from the rock which looks pink at sunset – a peak highlight of many Safari Tours Cars roaming nearby as this is a final point for them.

The spot is a great ending point if you are starting your trip in Al Badayer, or a starting point if you are going vice versa. The 2nd December Cafeteria is a common hotspot for Karak (tea with milk and spices) here.

Sand Dune Off-Road Trails For Intermediate/Expert Drivers

Let’s look at some other sand dune trails that are perfect for off-road in the UAE. These desert dunes are also famous for this adventurous experience, and are great for 4WD cars and trucks.

1. Al Remah

➔ Starting point coordinates: 24.0169275, 55.3585972

The racing track at Al Remah is adjacent to a camel racing track that starts from the so-called Camel Farming Road. You will also spot the Telal Nature Reserve spot, which is a great place if you want to see some native fauna. The combination of high dunes and Gaff trees makes it great for campaigning and off-roading.

2. Umm Al Oush (Al Quo'a)

➔ Starting point coordinates: 23.40969, 55.3969

This desert trail for off-roading is not for beginners – it requires expert-level skill and takes about four to five hours. The best thing about it is the side-sloping and side-cresting adventure, powered by the big sandy dunes.

3. Hameem Loop

➔ Full route can be previewed here

If you go off-road in Hameem Loop, you know that you are getting 70 to 80 kilometers of pure joy on a rough terrain with lots of slip faces and deep bowls. That is why you need to be prepared and know how to maneuvre a 4WD vehicle. Some of the interesting activities while there also include the camel and goat farms.

Other Desert Trails For Off-Road In The UAE Worth Exploring

Next, we will list some other off-road spots and desert trails worth exploring in the UAE. The next selection will include mountain and valley trails, which are among the most desirable ones for drivers seeking an adventure.

Mountain Trails

If you want to explore off-roading on mountain trails, here are some of the best locations:

• Masafi: Right at the end of the Hajar Mountain range, the area is divided between the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah and features mountainous trails known for the fresh and sweet water springs.
• Jebel Yanas: This 13-km long trail is paved on the Jebel Yanas. It is steep and offers some breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains, which is why many weekenders choose it as their off-road destination.
• Jebel Maleihah: Known as a fossil mountain, Jebel Maleihah offers a smaller mountain range where you can also spot camels and even set up camp.
• Khatt Mountains: Known among UAE off-roaders for their dusty trails, these mountains offer a great mix of rocky sections that require experience in off-roading, as well as plain roads that are great for beginners. The area is a habitat of many wildlife species, including the Arabian Tahrs and Arabian Mountain Gazelles.

Valley Trails

If mountains sound too risky, valley trails for off-road in the UAE can be your next adventure. Often well connected with the highway, these also offer views of scenic landscapes around:

• Wadi Naqab: At approximately one to one and a half hours from Dubai, you can see the dusty off-roading trails and explore off-roading in this great valley.
• Wadi Shawka: Best visited during or after the monsoon, this area is home to many natural ponds and lakes, making your off-roading experience eleven better.
• Wadi Sal: As one of the favorite off-road valleys in the UAE, Wadai Sal requires professional knowledge – there is a steep track reaching the top of the mountain, and requiring a lot of attention.
• Wadi Asimah: A valley filled with lush green trees and fruit gardens, the track is great if you want to learn how to off-road with a 4WD vehicle.
• Wadi Madha: Finally, this region offers dry lands and dark sand. There are plenty of off-road tracks and scenic natural ponds full of rainwater. It is also close to the Oman border, so you might require an Emirate ID and a visa if you decide to enter Oman.

We hope you liked our recommendations for the best off-road destinations in the UAE. If you have more ideas, feel free to let us know!