Farewell 2022: Jebel Qadaah Loop

Farewell 2022: Jebel Qadaah Loop

PLEASE LEAVE REVIEWS / COMMENTS ON THIS POST IF YOU FOLLOW THIS TRAIL, SO THAT YOUR OPINION IS ALSO HELPFUL TO FELLOW HIKERS.

A group of friends on 31st December 2022 bid farewell to 2022 on a cloudy cold day by hiking Jebel Qadaah (Haqab) on a loop trail.

This trail is suitable for experienced hikers due to many factors.

Please DO NOT TRY this trail in REVERSE.

This hike is graded Difficult mainly for the section between Haqab Village till Hebs Village.

Wadi Haqab Jebel Qadaah Loop

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https://www.facebook.com/Patricks-Hikes-101251445547970

I have graded this trail as Difficult for the challenges involved such as very steep Ascent, Climbing via narrow crevasse on a dried waterfall, loose rocks, some scrambling, Navigation and gradient of the hike.
Ropes were not used though.

We hiked route Wadi Haqab-Haqab village-Jebel Ahqab summit-Jebel Qadaah summit-along Hebs villages and back to Wadi Haqab.

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

Reaching to the trailhead is bit tricky.
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 trail path with steps.

We parked at Wadi Haqab, near abandoned houses. Please take care while parking, do nor block the passage.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/m6dG6QhbvxDTVvhw6

We started hiking through Wadi Haqab, little bouldering is involved. Some nice rocks and waterfalls in the way.
At one point you almost reach a vertical waterfall wall in front of you which can be climbed through a Crevasse or safely walked by adjacent hill at same elevation. on this trail we did not climb through the crevace.

Further on you need to climb in the side of the waterfall and you will reach a manmade steel bridge that needs some vertical climbing on rough rocks, with good grip.
You need to have some basic climbing skills.

Later on in the Wadi, you take right on mountain surface and get into the path towards the abandoned village of Haqab. Nice place for a break.

We hiked steep ascent from behind the village via a rocky Waterway and once on the top of the hill, navigated to the left along sort of exposed ledge to merge into another water passage that has lots of loose rocks over a steep gradient.
You really need to be sure footed.

Once you reach up finally, you will be able to see the large UAE flag that is installed on jebel Ahqab summit.

From Ahqab summit, we further moved 1 Km to reach the Jebel Qadaah summit, the views from there are impressive of all hajar range of UAE.
You can see mountains Yanas, Yibir, Jais, Qihwi, Harim and Tafif.

After a well deserved break, we descended towards Hebs villages trail, The merging section is bit steep and rocky and needs some climbing down and scrambling.

Once on the trail, it is about plain 6 Kms of trail walking until closer to the starting point.

The last Kilometer consists of so called Thousand steps, which are well laid and easily climbed down.

Overall this is a challenging trail with lots of endurance test, scrambling skills, steep ascent, loose rocks and demanding hike.

Please go well prepared and with similar fitness group.
After the Haqab village, there is really no point of return.
it will be seriously steep to climb down in loose rocks and will be taxing on the knees.

Be prepared with all standard and additional hiking items and nutrition.
Being January we went with 5 Liters of water. In other months, you may need more.

Be safe, prepare well, Do not over estimate and enjoy your moments in the middle of nowhere.
Take back all your rubbish with you.

Do Not Try Any Mountain Hikes If You Do Not Understand The Mountain Terrains, Dangers From Wildlife, First Aid, Hydration And Snacks, Your Own Fitness, Remote Activity Preparations, Communication Tools, Mountain Geography, Topography, Risk Factors, HSE Requirements, Hiking Risks, Fitness Level Of The Group Members.
Study All Above Matters Well Before Following Any Trails That You Find Online. Please Do Not Over Estimate Yourself.
Better Be Safe Than Put Yourself / Group In Danger And Regret Later.
Lately We Have Seen A Lot Of Unwanted Hiking Incidents That Could Have Been Avoided With Better Preparation.
Wish You All The Best.
Wikiloc, Only For Reference. There Can Be Errors On The GPS Recording Due To GPS Jumping In The Wadi Sections or Erroneous Recording.

More details to come in near future.