Sharīyah Loop - Wadi Showkah Dam to Pools
Trail photos
Author
Trail stats
- Distance
- 6.03 mi
- Elevation gain
- 1,424 ft
- Technical difficulty
- Moderate
- Elevation loss
- 1,424 ft
- Max elevation
- 1,586 ft
- TrailRank
- 63
- Min elevation
- 946 ft
- Trail type
- Loop
- Moving time
- 3 hours 22 minutes
- Time
- 6 hours 8 minutes
- Coordinates
- 1748
- Uploaded
- January 4, 2021
- Recorded
- January 2021
near Sharīyah, Raʼs al Khaymah (United Arab Emirates)
Viewed 4417 times, downloaded 198 times
Trail photos
Itinerary description
Fantastic day in the mountains and wadi!
The stairs from the dam to the first peak were a great workout. Plenty of viewing decks along the way for some respite.
Would caution against the advanced-level detour unless you are an experienced hiker in this terrain; especially if you have small kids. (This detour was on the big descent.) Alas, we needed to get from the ridge down to the wadi; in order to find the pools. Thankfully, my husband has been hiking in the region for over 20 years so we were able to safely traverse this.
I would recommend following our trek in reverse should you wish to shorten the journey to the pools, as well as make it easier for the family. Some portions of that trail were along a ledge, so just be mindful.
Otherwise, apart from the stairs, it was a very leisurely hike. Including the stairs, it was great fun. Enjoy!
"Take nothing but pictures.
Leave nothing but footprints.
Kill nothing but time." ~John Kay
The stairs from the dam to the first peak were a great workout. Plenty of viewing decks along the way for some respite.
Would caution against the advanced-level detour unless you are an experienced hiker in this terrain; especially if you have small kids. (This detour was on the big descent.) Alas, we needed to get from the ridge down to the wadi; in order to find the pools. Thankfully, my husband has been hiking in the region for over 20 years so we were able to safely traverse this.
I would recommend following our trek in reverse should you wish to shorten the journey to the pools, as well as make it easier for the family. Some portions of that trail were along a ledge, so just be mindful.
Otherwise, apart from the stairs, it was a very leisurely hike. Including the stairs, it was great fun. Enjoy!
"Take nothing but pictures.
Leave nothing but footprints.
Kill nothing but time." ~John Kay
Waypoints
Car park
Panorama
1,453 ft
There are a few viewing platforms along the stairs. For families with younger kids, be warned that there are no railings.
Photo
1,311 ft
Photo
Clearly we have gone off-piste to try and rejoin a trail that we didn't understand was in the valley
River
Wilderness hut
Ruins
Risk
1,102 ft
Waterhose hazard
On the final stretch from the trail to the stairs, numerous water hoses cross the trail. Careful!
Comments (7)
You can add a comment or review this trail
Thank you for sharing. Is this doable for a solo hiker?
Are dogs allowed here?
@Madalina Maldalina: yes, dogs are allowed 😊
@iamdabawenya: yes, it is doable for a solo hiker.
But please read my note in the description about the caution ⚠️ on the 2nd descent. We were following another hiker's trail not realising that their journey was down below, while we were trekking along the ridge. So we had to take an advanced-level detour down a steep slope with loose rock. There are many other trails in the area along a similar route, without that bit.
Enjoy and be safe! 😊
Hello @iamdabswenya
Please advice !
how do I know which trail to follow in order not to go on the advanced level detour?
Hello, apologies for my late reply. If you look at the elevation graph for this hike, please find the first small descent after the first big climb.
If you click on the waypoint photos, one of them.shows a crossroads. Instead of going straight and climbing again, take the right turn instead and follow that. It will link you to the trail.
If you are worried, head towards the Emirates Adventures Camp (on google maps). There will be overlap on that route with the portion of our hike heading to the pool.
Hi is there anyway to get to the pools without doing the stairs at the beginning ? Thanks
@kim - yes, start at the Emirates Adventures Camp (on Google maps). :)