Wadi Zanhah — Attraction in Fujairah Emirate

This is a lovely spot which is quite popular among hikers of all calibers across the UAE.

For clarity's sake, let me state straight up that this isn't a hike for someone who doesn't exercise regularly or doesn't have a good stamina with respect to walking in the incline position for good 300+ meters, has diabetes, cough/ flu/ fever or other health issues.

The relatively short hike leads to the famous rainbow or spectrum mountains which are well known for their colourful rocks. If you're thinking that the rocks look like how you see them in photos, you'll be disappointed. The rocks are colourful indeed but due to dust and sand, their colours aren't as sharp as the photos, which is obviously due to colour enhancing filters. You can guess which of my pictures of this area have been edited using filters and which are original. A day or two after a rainfall however, the colours of these rocks look amazing.

If you're not going in a group and aren't being led by an experienced mountain guide/ hike leader, it's better to go to the base of the rainbow mountains as come back after taking a few photos. Going up the mountain should only be done when you're following a guide who has done it before.

As a thumb rule, DO NOT go blindly with dozens of hiking groups that charge anywhere from zero to a couple of hundred per hike, without clearly asking about the hiking experience of the hike leader. Each year there are a few unfortunate hiking incidents and while some of them are due to some hikers not having sufficient stamina or not carrying enough water, not having correct food wear, having health issues etc., some of the hiking incidents can easily be avoided or controlled if the hike leader has 'Wilderness First Aid' certification which ensures that a hike leader has sufficient knowledge of how to treat anyone in case of a medical emergency. Very few hike leaders unfortunately, have the Wilderness First Aid...

In June 2023 we tried again to go for a short hike, but just before we started, a car approached, and an officer in a uniform came to us, asking to return because "hiking is not allowed in Fujairah in summer, fine 50k AED". He was polite though. In that place there is no connection, when we reached the highway and looked it up, it turned out slightly incorrect - it is illegal for tourist companies to arrange dangerous hikes (fine 50k), not summer hiking in particular. In any case, as an officer he bad his right to prohibit the hike. Which is very sad as second time we just can't get there. FYI now there is a sign that pets are not allowed.

In 2022 there was no sign prohibiting pets, and the family with goats in the beginning of the track shouted at us and said that we can't bring our dog along, and threatened to call the police. They were very rude for no reason as they were on the other side of the canyon and our dog was right next to us on the leash all the time. It killed the vibe, so we just...

Guys...! It was sudden plan in the middle of the night. We just left for this place after watching videos and pictures around 5 am from dubai and we were there before sunrise. Place is just on highway. You can inside on normal call. Preferably 4x4 but normal cars also go. Its a bit of tracking and you will like it if you are Into hiking and tracking. Unfortunately the humidity and weather heat was ultimate on that day of July. We went uptil the green color type of mountain but honestly we couldn't make through upto the proper grand canyon type colors shown in video. Overall its a good place for enthusiastic people. Don't forget to carry water bottle. Plus if you are going in group it would be better. There are no markings...