Off the Beaten Path: Explore UAE’s Hidden Gems

Singed in brown, beneath the sulfur-yellow sun surrounded by scrawling sounds lies an abundant sandy land that still remains to be explored. From vast desert landscapes to green and gilded valleys (wadis) to the pulse quickening views of mountain passes, CarSwitch recommends top places to explore if you plan on taking your used SUV off the beaten path.

1. The Big Red Sand Dune

Located about 50 km from Dubai in the centre of the Al-badayer Desert, the big red is a dream come true for dune-bashing enthusiasts. This spectacular dune formation is made for variety of desert entertainments. The 100 metre-towering weathered stick is surrounded by sandbags rental offices, quad bikes and buggies. And what’s more, a desert safari is also arranged for you to enjoy the crypt quiet of the sun-kissed ṣaḥrā´ from dusk till dawn.

You can travel to the great Red Sand dune by the Hatta road E44. You can either go with a tour, by renting a car or in your own used SUV. But be careful of the latter, the desert is a dangerous place, many insurance providers do not include off-road coverage, and damage on these terrains is sure to hurt the resale value when time comes to sell car.

2. Wadhi Madha

Wadhi Madha is an exclave of Oman, though some of its parts lies in the east coast of UAE. the place is unrefined and offers an almost paradoxical complex simplicity in the barren architecture. If you have an eye for photography, or are a dune-bashing enthusiast, the summery hues of Wadhi Madha is the perfect place to feast our eyes on.

From the eastern coast of UAE, you would need to take the E99 route to the town of Madha. After taking the perpendicular at the mountain range, you find yourself in the omani check point. From there, you can cross the terrain freely as no visa is required.

3. Fossil Rock (Jebel Maleihah)

Fossil rock is another hidden gem of UAE that is know for it’s simple yet stark arid architecture. Not just popular for its 80 million fossils carved into the crimson red rocky crevices, Fossil rock is also a great camping site. Here, the travellers can bask in the barren beauty at night and enjoy the silvery brilliance of shining stars at night.

The route starts just off the E102, Sharjah Kalba highway and puts you right in the middle of the UAE desert. So, hop on to a hefty 4x4, such as Range Rover or a sturdy used SUV for the bumpy terrain. CarSwitch.com has setup a dedicated search page for pre-inspected SUVs fit for off-roading here.

4. Wadi al Bih

Wadi al Bih is an obscure oasis at the top of the grim Hajar mountains in the wild northern regions of Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah. With emerald green springs of water, a picturesque bird life and thrilling hikes in and out of the majestic fields of the flowers, Wadi al Bih is an explorer’s dream come true. It is worth to drive up north to the Wadi al Bih for an experience like no other.

5. Al-Hayer Forest

The adventurous trails of the Al-Hayer forest offers refreshing shade to both the desert dwelling creatures and off-road campers. In the peak of the sweltering summers, akin to lucifer’s grill, there is only one thing that is second to a refreshing glass of water is--Shade.  And imagine if you have hundreds of them, ghaf trees, nicely sprinkled between sand dunes and dancing away into the mountains. An enlightening relief to seek respite from the blazing sun.

Located towards Dubai from the Al-Ain road, luckily, for campers, the trails of Al-Hayer are so forgiving that you don’t need a rough and tough 4x4 off-roader when a trusty GMC Acadia can do the job as well!

Exploring UAE’s majestic beauty can be an exciting adventure, but you also need to know how to tackle the desert properly. For risky sandy terrains, consider a muscly 4x4 such as a Jeep wrangler with good tires and cooling system. Remember to drive a self-sufficient car and always take your off-roading essentials with you on the trip. Happy exploring!