Jebel Mleiha / Fossil rock, Sharjah, UAE / ملَيْحَة

It is one of the most popular hikes in the UAE with an amazing view of the Mleiha Desert from the top. You will hike to the top of Jebel Mleiha and continue towards the Fossil rock. When you reach the end of the plateau of Mleiha you will enjoy the view of its sister mountain Jebel Al Fayah.

Mleiha
Mleiha area is located in the Central Region of the emirate of Sharjah. Multiple archaeological remnants dating from the Bronze, Iron, and pre-Islamic eras were found in the area and now are a part of the Mleiha Archeological Center exposition.
Mleiha is one of the most stunning landscapes in the UAE. Jebel Mleiha, Jebel Al Fayah, and other fossil rocks ascend from dunes in the middle of the desert. The summit of Jebel Mleiha will reward you with an extraordinary birds-eye view of the surrounding desert.

Difficulty
The hike is fairly short and the elevation gain is just about 275 m, but there are many loose rocks, a steep scree slope and there is no clear path. I mark it as beginner+ to moderate. You cannot lose the way if you follow this GPS track. There is no shade on almost the whole route. So, do not attempt it during the summer. Also, it is better to start early morning 5-6 AM.

Segments
P-01 - P-09. Valley and the first slope.
In the beginning, you will have to pass two fences, just follow the GPS track. You will start hiking through a valley which will gradually become rocky at P-06. At P-08 you will start climbing a steep slope and will reach a viewpoint P-09. From there you will have an amazing view of the western sandy slope of Jebel Mleiha and the desert.

P-10 - P-11. The second slope.
You will descend and start climbing another slope till you reach a flat Mars-like surface.

P-11 - P-18. Plateau.
After P-11 you will walk almost on a flat top surface. At the tip of Jebel Mleiha (P-15 and P-16) you will see a wow-view of Jebel Al Fayah and the desert around.

P-18 - finish. Return.
At P-18 you will start descending. The only location that should be mentioned is P-20. It is about a 3-meter drop which should be climbed down very carefully. Alternatively, you can descend using the ascent route.

Alternatives
1) You can reach the top of the first slope at P-09 and go back. In this case, you will not explore the plateau.
2) You can do desert trail running in the area. You can find a route here https://www.wikiloc.com/trail-running-trails/desert-trail-run-fossil-rock-mleiha-sharjah-uae-mlayha-lskhwr-lhfwry-129295139

Parking
There is a spot to park right after the mountain at 25.167418, 55.841575 on the side of the Sharjah-Kalba road.

Must-have gear
1) High-cut hiking shoes
2) 3 liters of water, electrolytes
3) Sun protective clothing
4) Gloves are recommended