Wadi Shah Full Loop ( Marked Trail Route 2024)

Wadi Shah Full Loop ( Marked Trail Route 2024)

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Thank you Ras al Khaimah ❤️
RAK has built a good quality hiking trail after the Wadi Shah Dam behind Bear Grylls all the way to Shah Peak at 1100 mtrs elevation and then it connects to 2 years old Highlander trail that gives various options of hiking combinations.

From this junction at Wadi Shah Peak, you can hike to following spots.
1. Jebel Raharah / Jebel Jais via Highlander.
2. Hidden Oasis.
3. Musaibat village.
4. Musandam ridge via rough mountain with no trail.
5. 5 villages trail.
6. Wadi Lahsa

Until last year, we had to navigate the Wadi Shah Loop Hike trail by bouldering and some rough surfaces. With this newly laid trail, you can hike with much more ease and enjoy the views of mountains and valleys even with younger hikers.

The new trail goes effectively through villages and along the stone houses on the way and they give you a air idea of the life style of the residents in the past..

You could also hike short distance till the 1st village and return back as a shorter hike.
Enjoy Wadi Shah !!

Parking:
You can park here, very close to Bear Grylls camp. Sedans can also manage to reach here.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/sV3RND4EHczEzCG27
25.900125, 56.141759

Hike:
From the parking you walk along the visible offroad that goes along the Bear Grylls camp and deep into the Wadi Shah (now called Khamed) towards the the newly constructed Dam.
Just after the dam, you can see the trail display board and the start of the visible trail.
The trail is well made, visible and it takes you along the valley but avoiding all the boulders. The quality of the trail is good and stable.

The ascent is gradual with stairs, manmade staircases and also zigzag paths.

The trail takes you through the village houses, (some abandoned / some restored), some cemeteries and farmlands. We didnt encounter any residents though.
There are lots of camping spots here.

Soon you will reach the plateau just below the 1100 summit of Wadi Shah trail and the trail then continues to the summit with great views of the Musandam ridge.

The views from the Shah peak are my favourite.
From here you can see Jebel Yabana, Jebel Qihwi, Jebel Raharah, Jebel Rahabah, the Musandam ridge and Wadi Far summit mountains.

Then we used the same trail to descend towards Musaibat village and then further towards the Wadi Lahsa using the Highlander trail all te way down.
During the descent, we could see Jais road, view deck park, Samar trail and other areas.

The trail is this area is bit washed out due to rains, but still good enough to hike.

Once we were at Wadi Lahsa, we exited the Wadi and then walked towards Bear Grylls and ended our hike.

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Hike Smart, Enjoy Safely:

Embrace adventure, explore the wilderness, but prioritize safety!

Here's what to remember:

Plan, Prepare, Pack:

Research: Understand the terrain, potential wildlife, and hiking risks. Learn about hydration, first aid, and remote activity protocols.

Assess Fitness: Be honest with yourself and your group. Don't overestimate abilities.

Pack Smart: Bring essentials like water, snacks, navigation tools, communication devices, and first-aid kits. Follow HSE guidelines.

Respect the Environment: Leave no trace. Take all your rubbish back with you.
Remember:

Wikiloc is a guide, not gospel: GPS recordings can be inaccurate, especially in wadis. Trust your judgment and be prepared for deviations.

Safety First: Don't put yourself or your group at risk. Turn back if necessary. Prioritize safety over completing the hike.

Learn from Others: Recent incidents are reminders of the importance of preparation. Make informed decisions based on knowledge and caution.

Enjoy the journey, but always hike smart!