Planning a Jebel Jais trip? 3 major upgrades coming to the UAE’s highest mountain

Dubai: If your weekend getaway plan often includes a drive to Jebel Jais in Ras Al Khaimah, there are some major upgrades coming your way.

Marjan, Ras Al Khaimah’s master developer, announced last week its plans to upgrade experiences at the UAE’s highest peak, with plans that could soon turn your weekend trip to a week-long adventure.

Here is all you need to know.

One of the biggest upgrades coming to Jebel Jais is an 80-km multi-day mountain journey. Keeping in mind the existing trails around Jebel Jais, the plan will link them with new connections, creating a multi-day journey for hiking, climbing, camping, cycling and exploration, with a total length of 80km.

Via Ferrata is Italian for ‘iron path’ and gives mountaineering lovers a chance to traverse the mountains through a protected climbing route built into a mountain or cliff face. The Via Ferrata at Jebel Jais will span up to 20km across four sections of varying difficulty. The project includes various mountain shelters along the path, which can be reached only on foot.

The RAK Tourism Authority also announced plans to rehabilitate the trail at Wadi Khammed, popularly known as the ‘Hidden Oasis’, which sits at the bottom of Jebel Jais. This will include improvements to existing sections and new interlinking trails, with updated wayfinding signage across the trail.

The upgrade to Jebel Jais will also include the development of new climbing routes around the mountain.

The project is of particular ecological importance, as a detailed biodiversity assessment of the area recorded 45 plant species, 29 bird species and eight mammal species across the Jebel Jais survey area, with species including the Arabian Red Fox, Afro-Asiatic Wildcat, Brandt’s Hedgehog and Arabian Spiny Mouse.

There is also a focus on mountain rescue support, in collaboration with the relevant emergency authorities.