Jebel Hafeet is a wild mountain and the best viewpoint of Al Ain. We arrived by car, we actually never checked any other transport, and the just the way up to our hotel was an interesting experience.
This summer, we were on a trip from Emirates to Oman and we decided to make a stopover in Al Ain. Honestly, we never expected much from the town since beyond a convenient place to rest and stay for the night in between Abu Dhabi and Nizwa. We were wrong, since there are many things to do in Al Ain.
About Jebel Hafeet we had never heard about it before we opened the app of our partner to select an accommodation nearby Al Ain. We decided to take our accommodation in Jebel Hafeet because the offer was good value for our money. Nevertheless, up there we discovered all those mountains can offer if you have the time and the will to discover.
What to expect of Jebel Hafeet
Jebel Hafeet is the highest peak in Abu Dhabi and probably the best view point over Al Ain. This is a mountain range forged out of craggy and weather-beaten limestone. The whole area, close to the Oman border, is a protected desert Park or National Park. There is a road of the 80’s along you can get to the top.
The mountain is a good place to learn about the UAE’s transformation from the Bronze Age, through significant fossil discoveries, until the current efforts to encourage tourist to stay longer in the Abu Dhabi Emirate. Depending on your interests, you can either take a look at the beehive tombs of Jebel Hafeet or enjoy the magnificent views of Al Ain from the top of the mountain.
What to do in Jebel Hafeet
There are many things to do at Jebel Hafeet, from extreme sports, nature observation to history diving. In Jebel Hafeet the visitor will be able to enjoy a proper experience on the accommodation either a panoramic hotel or options for glamping and mingling with nature.
Viewpoints in Jebel Hafeet
You can take the road up to Jebel Hafeet from Ain Al Faydah and go winding to the top. On your way up you will find some signed places to stop where you can take pictures. Don’t do it otherwise! The laws in Emirates are dire with those who break the rules. The road speed limits are very low. In addition, it is forbidden to stop and take pictures where it is not appropriate. The views are nice and it is worth to go up. Nevertheless, in very misty days, you probably would not see much.
Hafit Tombs
This famous montain is home to over 500 ancient tombs dating back to 5000 years. In the Jebel Hafeet foothills, marking the beginning of the Bronze Age in the country.
These tombs mark the beginning of the Bronze Age in the UAE. Danish archaeologists found copper and ceramic vessels in these tombs in 1959.
The tombs are single-chamber tombs and are made of local, unworked or roughly cut stones. In 2011, UNESCO recognised the Jebel Hafit Desert Park area as being a vital component of the World Heritage Site of Al Ain, the UAE’s first World Heritage Site.
Glamping in Jebel Hafeet
The rising up of the Jebel Hafit Desert Park brought the opportunity of preserving as well the biodiversity of this dynamic environment. Tourist can go to the Jebel Hafeet to enjoy the calmness and the unbearable wilderness of the days. Even more the nights, when the desert invites to enjoy a glamping stay.
Sports and Adventure
There are some tour operators who offer extreme desert sports around the Jebel Hafit Desert Park. This is a very interesting area for all kinds of sports where you need large extensions of free territory. There, it is possible to run on kilometers or take off and land back from the air. In Jebel Hafeet, you can find the Wadi Adventure. The famous theme park that provides man made surfing, kayaking and whitewater rafting facilities.
Where to stay in Jebel Hafeet
- Mercure Grand Jebel Hafeet: Located on the Hafeet Mountain, at 915 meters above sea level, the Mercure Grand is an exclusive resort offering refined architecture in the midst of an oasis. The views from the hotel to Al Ain are impressive and the swimming pools and bar are really nice if are allowed to be used.
- Pura Eco Retreat, Jebel Hafit Desert Park: It offers amazing transparent capsules in the middle of the desert to spend the night admiring the stars. It is an awesome opportunity to get started on glamping.
How to get to Jebel Hafeet
It is around 35 kilometers to cover in about 40 minutes by car. Not more to arrive up there from the center of Al Ain. You can also call a taxi to make your trip. Use always reliable transports, if you may call a taxi you can find all the information on Arabia Taxi website.
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