Picture for illustrative purposes only. ARCHIVE

Adventure seekers in the UAE have something exciting to look forward to: Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah are teaming up to build the country’s first cross-emirate hiking trail. The ambitious project will connect the two emirates through an adventure corridor that winds through mountains, coastal areas, valleys, and desert terrain—showcasing the UAE’s diverse natural beauty. Ras Al Khaimah already offers thrill-seekers attractions like mountain trails, desert adventures, and six zipline routes. Fujairah complements this with its own natural offerings, including the Sal Khail Trail and Alaqqah Coastal Ridge, which provides stunning views of the city and coast. “Along with beautiful mountain topography, we share mountains with Fujairah, so we wanted to be able to connect our hiking trails and the activities and the adventure elements that come with it,” said Raki Phillips, CEO of the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA). This cross-emirate project stems from a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between RAKTDA and Fujairah Adventures. It aims to create a seamless, connected experience for hikers and tourists alike. RAK hosted 1.3 million tourists in 2024, and Phillips has his eyes set on a larger goal. “We’re looking at tripling the number of tourists in the destination to get over 3.5 million by the end of the decade,” he said. Half of these tourists come from other parts of the UAE, he added. “People look at us as a leisure destination to escape and to really reconnect with themselves.” He highlighted the emirate’s unique landscape, noting, “With the combination of Jebel Jais, being the highest mountain in the UAE, the 64km of white sand beach, and our desert topography, that beautiful connection makes it really, really unique.” ICA/Expat Media
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