Wadi Sha’am Stairway
Trail photos
Author
Trail stats
- Distance
- 3.69 mi
- Elevation gain
- 3,530 ft
- Technical difficulty
- Difficult
- Elevation loss
- 266 ft
- Max elevation
- 3,681 ft
- TrailRank
-
73
5
- Min elevation
- 399 ft
- Trail type
- One Way
- Moving time
- one hour 52 minutes
- Time
- 3 hours 52 minutes
- Coordinates
- 1038
- Uploaded
- December 4, 2020
- Recorded
- December 2020
near Manqashah, Raʼs al Khaymah (United Arab Emirates)
Viewed 1291 times, downloaded 25 times
Trail photos
Itinerary description
It makes use of a trail and stairway for large parts. It can be initially tricky to find the trail so read the UPDATES on the first two waypoints to help you.
The trail and stairway sections are relatively clear until the very end near the ‘Black Cable’ waypoint. There are quite a few cairns marking the route so keep an eye out for them. If in doubt, pause and look for man-made features.
I followed the same route up and down allowing time for exploration of the plateau in between. I recorded one way only to keep the gps trace clear.
The ascent was about 3hrs at a moderate pace and the descent around 2hrs. The descent was comfortable as the path was more obvious in many parts. The scrambling sections were comfortable too going down.
I put this as difficult because of the climbing and exposure in certain parts. Most of the trail is comfortably moderate, however.
Waypoints
Waypoint
538 ft
1) Scree
UPDATE - instead of rising out of the wadi, continue as per the attached map until you see the crumbling farm buildings on your right. ——————————————- No trail or markers for this one, so carefully follow the gps track through the scree gradually rising up out of the wadi.
Waypoint
666 ft
2) Old Steps
UPDATE - At the abandoned farm building (if you followed the update at waypoint 1), a visible trail can be found leading towards waypoint 3. It starts right in the middle of the buildings. It’s not always obvious but if you can use it, this first section will be easier. ————————————- As you turn the corner and begin to climb, there are fragments of an old stairway visible at certain sections. Nothing to be relied upon, however.
Waypoint
666 ft
3) Scree Ascent
The path becomes more consistent and easier to locate around this waypoint. You’re aiming for the tree towards the top of this scree slope if you lose it. I placed a cairn on top of a large boulder just to the left of this location. If you can locate it, the path runs straight from here.
Waypoint
886 ft
4) Steps
A staircase through the screen connects with a visible trail that will assist your immediate ascent.
Photo
978 ft
5) Gully Steps
A clear path and staircase now emerges as you reach the small gully within the scree slope. Climb aiming for the trees at the top. The visible path is mostly on the right side.
Photo
1,060 ft
6) Tree
The path continues to the large tree at the top of the gully and passes it on the right side. This is a convenient rest spot too - shaded and flat.
Photo
1,276 ft
7) Outcrop
Follow the loose path under and around the outcrop. The actual path follows the contours a little wider than my gps trail but I only found it on the descent. If you can’t find it, you can skirt the base of the rock to the right following my gps track.
Photo
1,345 ft
8) Over the Saddle
I made a couple of attempts to scale the outcrop at this point and forgot the atop my gps - hence the spaghetti. If you continue over the saddle and keep following around to the left, you will rejoin the path.
Photo
1,519 ft
9) Scree Ascent
The trail zig-zags across the scree slope and has a stairway built along it. I only found it on the descent so my gps trail isn’t perfect. It starts on the right side of the gully and moves over to the left side at roughly the half way point. There are some cairns placed along the way but don’t rely on them. It’s possible to scramble up the scree if you pick your route.
Waypoint
1,726 ft
10) Staircase
As you near the top, keep an eye on the left side of the gully as a staircase has been crafted into the rocks rising out to a rest spot.
Waypoint
1,719 ft
11) Midpoint Picnic Table
As you reach the top of this section of staircase and exit the gully, you will find a picnic table and bench fashioned out of rocks on a flat section.
Photo
1,913 ft
12) Ledge
A ledge skirts the rock outcrop to the lower left. Look out for the continuation of the path in front of you as you cross.
Photo
2,005 ft
13) Ledge II
The path is clear and obvious as you reach the next ledge. Exposed to the side so take care.
Photo
2,149 ft
14) U-Turn
Path switches back along the ledge above where you came from. Look out for the man-made sections to guide you.
Photo
2,215 ft
15) Rock Steps
Climb the steps and turn to the right at the top. The path should be obvious as you move on from here towards the next waypoint.
Photo
2,402 ft
16) Ledge III
Path continues along the ledge straight ahead. The first plateau farm is visible to the right.
Photo
2,388 ft
17) Bend
The path continues to hug the cliff and bends around to the left. Keep your eye out for the man-made features to guide you. The final climb towards the plateau is not as bad as it may look from here!
Photo
2,461 ft
18) Cairn
A cairn guides the way to a steep rock ladder. There is no exposure beneath though so it’s an easy climb. The path remains relatively clear and obvious at this section so if you feel that you’ve lost it, take pause to locate it.
Photo
2,579 ft
19) Cairn II
A second cairn marks a ledge. Look at the outcrop straight ahead of you for the continuation of the staircase.
Photo
2,595 ft
20) Staircase II
Climb the staircase up the outcrop. It is a relatively simple climb and the route is obvious but take care.
Photo
2,546 ft
21) Right Turn
As the ledge reaches a smooth corner, follow around to the right. The path takes a ledge up. A small stairway can be found behind the large boulder at this corner. Look for cairns to guide you.
Photo
2,782 ft
22) Stairway Ascent
The stairway continues up to the right. Look out for the built wall at the top to guide you.
Photo
2,917 ft
23) Path and Staircase
The path is easy to follow here. Look out for the stairway in the rock formation ahead.
Risk
2,979 ft
24) Ledge IV
The path gets very thin in parts here and is less obvious than previously. Look to the rock outcrop ahead of you for the man-made sections to guide you. This is the one spot with a bit of knee-knocking exposure to the side so take extra care.
Photo
3,091 ft
25) Tree and Gully Ascent
The path moves away from the cliff edge and starts cutting up to the top ridge. As your heart rate levels, move around behind the tree to your right and start to climb the gully. There is a staircase running up here but it isn’t entirely obvious. I found it on my descent only as it’s easier to see from above. Just look out for rocks that don’t quite look ‘natural’ and see if it’s a handy step!
Photo
3,182 ft
26) Staircase III
The path is tough to follow to this point but keep an eye out for this staircase and you’ll be ok. It’s a gradual climb up to the left of the previous waypoint. There are some sporadic cairns charting the route too. If you are confident you are on the path, add a couple as you go to help others!
Photo
3,274 ft
27) Black Cable
The path continues up a staircase going closely beneath a black cable hanging above.
Photo
3,369 ft
28) Final climb
Ignore the goat track to the right which looks like a footpath. Instead, look up to the left for the built wall/path. This is the final climb before the plateau.
Waypoint
3,442 ft
29) Plateau Pass
As you make it to the top of the scramble, a stone gateway welcomes you to the plateau! At this point, you can abandon my route if you wish and explore the plateau. There are a plethora of old farm buildings and stepped gardens to explore. There is one new farm building which appears occupied so be mindful of people here. If you continue using my route, there are a couple of extra highlights!
Photo
3,402 ft
30) Abandoned Farm
On the plateau lies a remarkably well-preserved farm. Some buildings still have bits of old roof intact.
Photo
3,432 ft
31) Graveyard
Watch your step as your navigate this area as there appears to be a gravesite expanding over an area.
Photo
3,704 ft
32) Rock Bridge
Geological activity has fractured areas of the plateau. There are some pretty deep crevices so watch your step. This rock bridge takes you over one towards the final waypoint.
Summit
3,730 ft
33) Small Summit
The plateau ends at a small summit with great views over the neighbouring peaks, Wadi Sha’am and the Arabian Gulf. Look out for Jebel Jais to your left (south) and visible peaks in the Omani exclave of Musandam to your right (north).
Comments (2)
You can add a comment or review this trail
Thanks for posting this hike, which we did yesterday.
As you say, it's easier to find the path coming down, but some new steps have been cut into the initial ascent up the scree slope, which made things easier.
There are probably twenty exposed sections in this hike, a couple of which are very exposed, so you really need to take care in places.
We had fun - thanks again.
I have followed this trail View more
Information
Easy to follow
Scenery
Moderate
Hi Dan,
We few friends hiked this trail today and found it very satisfying, rewarding and enjoyable with short distance with high elevation gain.
We initially looked for the trail, and soon found it and the trail is visible and manageable.
We really didn't feel any dangers around the paths with any exposed areas, may be we are used to them ??
Overall its a nice hike.
In near future, we intend to reach the summit of 1700 near the border markers.
I recorded Ascent and Descent separately to keep the trails clean.
https://www.wikiloc.com/hiking-trails/wadi-sham-stairway-1020-mtrs-summit-ascent-121440656?
https://www.wikiloc.com/hiking-trails/wadi-sham-stairway-1020-summit-descent-121440655?
Thank you very much for detailing the information and the trail.
Its a great deed.
Thanks again.