Al Ain's Jebel Hafeet: UAE’s iconic mountain of peace, adventure, and heritage
Abu Dhabi: The temperature drops first. Somewhere along the climb, the air through the window turns cooler, the city thins out behind you, and the noise goes with it. By the time the curves tighten, you’ve stopped thinking about the drive and started thinking about the view. That is the Jebel Hafeet in Al Ain experience. The road runs 11,7 kilometres and winds through 60 curves, each one opening…
Abu Dhabi's Jebel Hafeet, a mountain rising to 1,240 metres, is a popular destination for both locals and tourists. The road to the summit winds through 60 curves, offering panoramic views of Al Ain and the desert beyond. The climb is a peaceful escape from the city's hustle and bustle, providing a rare kind of tranquility. For many residents, the mountain is a cherished spot for family trips and getting together, where they can slow down and enjoy each other's company.
Fatima Zahrah Seedat, a 23-year-old resident, describes the drive up Jebel Hafeet as half the point, feeling the temperature drop and arriving at a place of serenity, especially at night when the city lights below create a breathtaking view. Childhood memories also hold a special place on the mountain, with some residents like Mohamad Walid Haidar, a 20-year-old from Sharjah, recalling their first sunrise watched from the peak.
The mountain's history dates back to the Bronze Age, with over 500 tombs, around 5,000 years old, found on its slopes. The area continues to attract visitors with its unique wildlife, including the UAE's only concentration of the globally threatened Egyptian Vulture, as well as the Arabian Tahr, Blandford's Fox, Brandt's Hedgehog, and even the Arabian Caracal, which has been sighted here for the first time in 35 years.
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