In the upcoming months, nature enthusiasts and adventurous types will be hitting the UAE’s numerous hiking trails to take part in a highly social and fitness-enhancing sport that people of all ages and abilities can enjoy.
According to Nasar Husain of Greenway Adventures, being in nature can elevate your mood and help your mental health. “Quality time spent outside lowers stress, eases anxiety, and may minimize the risk of depression.”
Here are seven considerations for those who are new to hiking in UAE before starting your new activity.
1. Determine your level of fitness
By choosing a hike that is excessively long or contains excessive amounts of climbing, you run the risk of overdoing your first walk, just as when you go all out on January 1 at the gym to stick to your New Year’s resolutions.
Beginner hikers should stick to short (3–5 km) trails with few inclines and ascents. Remember that a 5 km walk uphill varies greatly from a 5 km walk on level ground.
Hiking doesn’t demand a great level of fitness, unlike many other activities. To comprehend your body’s physical state, you should first do some outdoor walking, advises UAE Backpackers founder Yaseen Tayyab, who has been hiking for more than 15 years.
To increase stamina and become aware of their capabilities and limitations, beginners can begin by taking walks around their neighborhood and gradually increasing the distance, and altering the terrain.
Husain says that having reasonable physical fitness and good body balance is usually beneficial when hiking in the UAE. The majority of the pathways are rocky and full of loose rocks, which can make walking hazardous. However, practically everyone may participate in it with a little bit of planning and preparation.
2. Sign up for a hiking club
Joining a group is a terrific way to meet others who share your interests and gain from their knowledge and experiences, whether you are new to hiking or an experienced hiker.
UAE Trekkers, Dubai Hiking, and Adventure are just a few of the groups that can be discovered online and on social media in the UAE.
Tayyab asserts that hiking has numerous advantages. “You may escape city life, spend time in nature with like-minded individuals, which promotes social bonds, engage in physical activity at the same time, and form new relationships. Additionally, you get the possibility to discover the UAE’s natural beauty and wild side.”
3. Commence by taking a guided hike
You’ll learn about many organized walks that are a terrific way to start your new activity through your hiking group.
Husain says, “We always advise beginning your walks with a knowledgeable guide.” “Always travel in groups, I urge you. There may be speedy and slow new hikers. But everyone should climb together every time. No one should wander off the trail, and not become scattered. Wait for others to catch up while always adhering to the guide’s directions.
“Guided walks are strongly advised due to the terrain, unmarked track, and occasionally severe weather conditions, “Tayyab adds. “A guide could handle emergencies and would have extensive trial knowledge.
4. Ensure you have the necessary tools
Husain asserts that beginners don’t require a tonne of technological equipment. “Just a few basic necessities, including excellent hiking shoes, sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and a blouse with long sleeves.” A modest backpack with comfortable straps that contains a first aid kit, food, and water in a thermal bottle should be carried by hikers. Clothing ought to be constructed from breathable materials, such as cotton and cotton blends. Avoid wearing black clothing, advises Tayyab.
5. Drink plenty of water
Dehydration can have rapid results. If you don’t stay hydrated when hiking, you may experience weariness, lightheadedness, dizziness, and confusion. The day before a hike, hikers should abstain from alcohol and salty meals and limit themselves to water. Avoid drinking colas and iced coffee because the caffeine can dehydrate you.
Sports drinks with carbs or electrolytes can also aid in fluid retention, but they shouldn’t be used exclusively and should be substituted with water. On the trail, foods like citrus fruits and bananas provide additional sources of hydration. Once your hike is over, don’t forget to replenish your water supply.
6. Locate trails appropriate for your ability
According to Husain, Hatta in Dubai, Sharjah, Fujairah, and Ras Al Khaimah has a tonne of beginner-friendly routes. “Hatta Wadi Hub, a highly well-liked site for families with children, offers green pathways for beginners to attempt. There are over 50 trails with varying degrees of difficulty, all of which are clearly designated with signs and maps. The map is also available for download online.”
Another excellent choice for novices is Fujairah’s Al Rabi Towers, which has views of Khor Fakkan City and the coastline on opposite sides. Husain continues, “It’s incredibly photogenic.”
Keep to the more well-known trails in the UAE, such as those in Hatta and Al Ain, where the difficulty level and length of the trail are clearly marked along with the trail for beginners, intermediate, and severe hikers.
There are 17 different hikes in Hatta, while the Showka Dam in Al Ain offers simpler options. There are many short hikes in Fujairah’s Wadi Tayyibah that are ideal for novices and families.
7. Other factors to think about
We all have a portable map on our phones, but you never know when you might lose signal or battery life. As you walk, keep an eye out for well-known landmarks instead of solely relying on your phone. Husain claims that the mountainous terrain in the UAE is particularly harsh. “Cell phone network coverage is nonexistent on these mountains, and it is simple to get lost. Any minor error has the potential to harm you.
