More details & pictures posted on wikiloc.
https://www.wikiloc.com/hiking-trails/haqab-village-summit-rak-85206389
My Non Commercial and Non Profit Hiking Community friendly personal FB Page dedicated to UAE Hiking information and Trails.
https://www.facebook.com/Patricks-Hikes-101251445547970
Haqab Village Summit Hike.
Trail Stats:
| Distance: | 11 kms |
| Difficulty: | Difficult |
| Elevation gain: | 980 m |
| Elevation loss: | 980 m |
| Max elevation: | 700 m |
| Min elevation: | 100 m |
| Trail type: | Out and back |
| Moving time: | 5 hours 30 minutes |
Haqab Village Summit Hike.
I have marked this hike as difficult as the hiking trail is washed out, you need good terrain study and decision making, there are some climbing spots etc.
Can be completed by experienced hikers in the region with good knowledge on directions and terrain. Basic climbing skills needed.
Update September 2024.
Please read the Hiking safety related notes at the bottom of this Text.
THIS IS NOT AN EASY HIKE, REALLY NEEDS GOOD FITNESS AND SKILLS TO TRAVERSE THE MOUNTAIN SECTION !!!
The old goat trail is completely washed out and not visible.
There are few spots that are tricky, so needs good study of the area and decision making.
Please read the Hiking safety related notes at the bottom of this Text.
Thanks to Shan of UAE weekend Lovers, We hiked up Wadi Haqab in RAK to reach the Summit Village.
Nice trail with all kinds of terrain.
Challenging in places,
Intermediate plus grade.
Not suitable for people without basic Scrambling/ Climbing skills.
This trail can be part moderate / intermediate grade depending on the skills.
The starting / parking point of this hike is similar to Hebs village hike.
https://goo.gl/maps/a84ozwrSUzQL8fT19
GPS Coordinates 25.806174, 56.112146
Sedan cars can reach this location.
Reaching to the trailhead is bit tricky.
I have recorded the offroad path from Jais road to this Trailhead as below.
It will help you to access the start point.
https://www.wikiloc.com/offroading-trails/wadi-haqab-access-offroad-119940054
You have to turn right from the Jebel Jais road at 25.800469, 56.099167
https://goo.gl/maps/gx5Xi7oFx4Qx7FGa9
You can see a Mobile phone tower very closeby here.
From here, get into the off-road (sedan drivable) after about 100m turn left and merge into another off-road which is parallel to the wadi.
About 150 meters away, you can see an elevated while painted water tank, you can take this is a waypoint.
You continue driving about 1km, you can see a Military camera station as soon as you pass the camera there is a small building and you can park next to it 25.806622, 56.112798.
There you can see the well laid Hebs village trail path with steps. This is NOT our trail.
Our hike is through the Wadi in the right.
Keep your google maps on satellite mode to search and locate these locations.
Hike:
Initial part of the Wadi for about 3 Kms is Beginner plus grade, so you could simply follow the Wadi for hiking. There are medium boulders and nice views.
Beginners can return from the dry waterfall point.
The first waterfall needs scrambling and climbing with bare hands to pass through and is ONLY SUITABLE for Intermediate hikers with climbing skills.
There are options to rise above this area by not to scramble and climb through the waterfall, instead you can hike up from the left side to bypass the waterfall safely over the mountain. Basically once up, this crevasse waterfall will be much below you in the right side.
Once you pass the dry waterfall, you have another short climb which is bit hidden behind a crevasse, (pictures will assist you) and once you are on the top of the 2nd waterfall, you will see the highlight of this hike.
The climbing wall, which has lots of natural grips, safe to climb without ropes and enjoy the climb.
Refer the pictures.
Once you climb up the wall, you will pass by a metallic founded bridge to pass over the wadi and then the hike continues.
This bridge area is a good spot for a well deserved break.
After steep gradient hiking straight and towards the right side, you reach the Haqab village ( no one lives there anymore ) with stone houses.
We descended part ascent route and then ventured into another path and reached just before the dry waterfall area.
The Wadi walk is really nice and can be a good practice ground for beginners with small rocks and boulders.
Parking Location:
Grade: Moderate
Base Village: Wadi Haqab
Range: Jebel Qada’ah.
Download:
Trail
Trail
Trail
Village
Village
Trail
Trail.
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