Jebel Yanas-Gorge-Wadi Loop
Trail photos
Author
Trail stats
- Distance
- 4.42 mi
- Elevation gain
- 1,001 ft
- Technical difficulty
- Difficult
- Elevation loss
- 1,001 ft
- Max elevation
- 3,074 ft
- TrailRank
-
74
4.6
- Min elevation
- 2,364 ft
- Trail type
- Loop
- Moving time
- 2 hours 31 minutes
- Time
- 5 hours 57 minutes
- Coordinates
- 1360
- Uploaded
- January 22, 2021
- Recorded
- January 2021
near Yinas, Raʼs al Khaymah (United Arab Emirates)
Viewed 2976 times, downloaded 122 times
Trail photos
Itinerary description
The hike begins with an easy-to-traverse section and clearly-marked trails. Spectacular views of Wadi Naqab and the dam being built down below. Pass a few mountain villages with both ancient ruins and contemporary homes, traditional terraced plains, and breath-taking mountain views.
Tiny, dark grey lizards and bigger blue lizards may be spotted if your kids can remember to stay quiet ;) An incredible variety of rocks from large quartz-like stones, smooth river rocks, marble-looking slabs...
The big descent down into the valley is beyond dramatic with goats precariously munching on solitary thorny, cliff-clinging trees. And the peaceful wadi with a few exciting wall climbs added to the fun.
Wonderful day with diverse environments to get through! Hard work but great fun.
"Take nothing but pictures.
Leave nothing but footprints.
Kill nothing but time." ~John Kay
Waypoints
Photo
2,870 ft
Ladies room
The majority of the hike is along the ridge, with very trees or big boulders that may provide any covering for ladies who may need the facilities. This area just past the trailhead is the best spot for discretion.
Waypoint
3,031 ft
Cairns and dots
Easy to follow trail with spray painted yellow or orange dots, or cairns make the way.
Panorama
Fauna
2,805 ft
Tiny lizard
Tree
Ruins
2,924 ft
Ancient village ruins
Contemporary stone homes next to ancestral ruins on this stunning mountainside. Some of the stepped terraces are complete covered in dry grass. Must be even more stunning when it has rained.
Castle
Summit
Monument
2,920 ft
As you leave the ruins and prepare to walk through a modern village, kindly note that there are some cemeteries along the way.
Waypoint
2,919 ft
Cairn
We followed the natural trail along the wall up to a cairn, before heading back down along another wall to begin the trek down the wadi.
Intersection
Waypoint
2,821 ft
Cairn
Waypoint
2,468 ft
Gorge
After descending, the valley opens up into an expansive gorge with many terraced flat areas. Trek across them to reach another dry wadi. If in doubt whether you're on the right track, try to stay along the lowest levels id the steppes to easily access the wadi.
Risk
2,402 ft
Rockwall
Very easy bouldering up the wall here. Just be cautious and mindful where you place your weight.
Waypoint
2,559 ft
After the wadi
You'll come across another flat area with walls. Carefully enter another valley and trek there.
Car park
2,923 ft
Parking
The final scramble up was a little hectic with tired children and loose rock on some steep slopes. But we safely zigzagged and followed what goat trails we could. What an amazing day!
Comments (15)
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I have followed this trail View more
Information
Easy to follow
Scenery
Moderate
the trail is good, actually it leads to another valley in the middle of the loop. since the beginning till the middle village it is easy to follow, however when it comes to the second half with descent into the wadi bed it is a bit sketchy - no marks and moderately steep drops - highly recommend having trekking poles to make landings safer and easier on your knees. last km or so is relatively intense workout as you climbing out by the wadi wall - the same poles are making this a lot easier and safer.
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it. We plan to keep at it and see if we can improve on the last bit after the wadi descent :)
Hi John
Can you reach the start of this hike in a sedan car ? I followed the directions to the trail head on wickiloc, but was really surprised when it took me to Wadi Naqab, is that correct ? its about 2-3km up the road into Wadi Naqab, on the left hand side ? Appreciated if you can give me some pointers. I have tried to find it with no success (I am terrible at finding trail heads:) and would really like to try the hike, and take some pictures, as it looks very beautiful. Many Thanks
Hi, John! Thank you for your comment. It really is a special place. I think you could attempt with a sedan if you think it has enough clearance for bigger rocks on the road. I've seen AWD's parked up top.
Trailhead is at the top of Jebel Yanas, and you must enter the gate for the quarry road to access. (Just before the turn-off leading to Wadi Naqab). Security asks you to simply sign in upon entry.
Starts off with an easy gravel surface, but nearer to the top it gets steeper and bumpier. Otherwise, you could always park at one of the lay-bys en route and hike the rest of the way up.
Hope you can find it! Safe hiking and enjoy 😊
I have followed this trail View more
Information
Easy to follow
Scenery
Moderate
We marked it rather moderate. First half till the village is just a stroll in the mountains with stunning views. After the village the marking disappeared so you just trust the wadi lead. Few small walls to climb and at the end it is rather unclear to take the wadi or else. We went straight up the mountain. It’s absolutely doable. Thanks for the trail! Parking at the begging of the trail accessible only by Suv.
I have followed this trail verified View more
Information
Easy to follow
Scenery
Easy
Reading all the above comments, we decided to do the trail in reverse, so the wadi part comes first. For us was easy, but the wadi rocks are sharp so one shoud be careful. It's an absolutely great hike, the village in the mid hike is the biggest I ever seen in my hikes. Reaching the start hike is definitely doabale with an SUV , as towards the end the road gets bumpy.
I have followed this trail View more
Information
Easy to follow
Scenery
Easy
Fantastic trail and thank you for the detailed explanation. We done it in February and we were lucky it was cloudy with a bit of rain.
Excellent Hike, thank you for sharing.
Thanks for recording, we followed this trail in opposite direction and enjoyed it!
I have followed this trail verified View more
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Easy to follow
Scenery
Moderate
Thanks for recording and detailed descriptions, we followed this trail in opposite direction and enjoyed it!
Great hike. Thank you for sharing.
I have followed this trail View more
Information
Easy to follow
Scenery
Moderate
Excellent loop - easy to follow with the trail run markings for first half at least. Took us about 3 hrs
I have followed this trail verified View more
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Easy to follow
Scenery
Moderate
The trail is amazing and offers a unique experience. It's recommended to use an SUV to reach the final parking spot.
I have followed this trail View more
Information
Easy to follow
Scenery
Moderate
Nice trail. The first part offers the best views, the second part (in the wadi) is more fun to hike. Note that there is no path at the end. We just went straight up.
The first part, up to the village is very easy and pleasant with amazing views. The second part, going down the wadis and up again is more challenging and requires some climbing. Very nice though, and worth the effort but you should not go if not ready to walk downwards upwards in rocks.