There is something special about driving toward the mountains.

After spending so much time surrounded by Dubai’s skyscrapers, highways, and busy city life, heading somewhere quiet and elevated can feel like a completely different world.

That was exactly how we felt when my husband, our friends, and I decided to take a road trip to Jebel Hafeet in Al Ain, UAE, during the UAE National Day long weekend in December 2021.

We had been seeing beautiful photos of the mountain on social media for quite some time, so our curiosity finally got the better of us.

We wanted to see the famous winding mountain road, experience the cooler weather, and enjoy the spectacular scenery for ourselves.

And because we had recently visited Jebel Jais, the highest mountain in the UAE, we thought it would be fun to experience another famous mountain destination.

This time, however, we had another plan in mind.

We were hoping to camp overnight.

Unfortunately, that part didn’t quite work out.

But the road trip itself was still absolutely worth it.

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About Jebel Hafeet

Jebel Hafeet is a rocky mountain located on the outskirts of Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, near the border of Oman.

It rises dramatically above the surrounding flat desert landscape, making it one of the most recognizable natural landmarks in the area.

The mountain is also well known for its beautiful, winding road that climbs toward the summit.

On a clear day, the elevated viewpoints offer sweeping views across Al Ain and the surrounding desert landscape.

From Dubai, the drive to Jebel Hafeet takes approximately 1½ to 2 hours, depending on your starting point, traffic, and road conditions.

So, if you’re looking for a quick road trip away from the city, it can be a great option.

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Our Road Trip to Jebel Hafeet

It was December 3, 2021, during the UAE National Day holiday weekend, when my husband, our friends, and I decided to visit Jebel Hafeet.

Since we had a long weekend, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to get out of Dubai and explore somewhere different.

Just the year before, we had visited Jebel Jais, so we were curious to see how Jebel Hafeet would compare.

We packed a few things, prepared our car, picked up our friends, and started our road trip.

The drive itself was enjoyable.

As we got farther away from Dubai, the scenery gradually changed from buildings and highways to open desert landscapes.

And then…

The mountain finally came into view.

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The Winding Road to the Top

The road leading up Jebel Hafeet was one of the highlights of the trip.

The winding road curves around the mountain, offering beautiful views as you continue climbing.

However, I have to admit something:

I’m not particularly good with winding roads. 😂

If you’re someone who easily gets carsick or nauseous, this part of the journey can be a little challenging.

The curves continue for quite some time, so I was definitely feeling it.

Our sedan was able to make the journey, though we had to make good use of the car’s gears on the climb.

We simply took our time, drove carefully, and enjoyed the scenery along the way.

And whenever I started feeling dizzy, I reminded myself:

“The view will be worth it.” 😄

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The Weather at the Top

Once we reached the higher parts of the mountain, the temperature dropped noticeably.

The weather was cool, windy, and refreshing, especially compared with the warmer conditions in Dubai.

We were glad that we had brought sweaters and jackets because we definitely needed them.

For us, the cool mountain air was one of the best parts of the trip.

After spending so much time in the city, it felt great to breathe fresh, cool air and simply enjoy being outdoors.

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A Small Cafeteria at the Top

Near the summit, we found a simple cafeteria where visitors were relaxing after the drive.

People were having Karak Chai, eating snacks, chatting with their families, and enjoying the cooler weather.

Naturally, we joined them.

There’s just something comforting about drinking a hot cup of Karak Chai when you’re surrounded by cool mountain air.

It was the perfect way to relax after the winding drive.

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A Busy Holiday Weekend

Because we visited during the UAE National Day holiday weekend, Jebel Hafeet was quite busy.

There were many visitors enjoying the mountain, taking photographs, and stopping at different viewpoints.

If you prefer a quieter experience, visiting on a weekday or a non-holiday weekend may be a better option.

Despite the crowd during our visit, we still managed to find enough space to enjoy ourselves and take photographs.

People didn’t generally stay in one spot for very long, so the flow of visitors kept moving.

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The View Was Absolutely Beautiful

Once we reached the higher part of the mountain, we were amazed by the scenery.

The elevated viewpoint offered a completely different perspective of Al Ain and the surrounding landscape.

From up there, the city looked tiny compared with the enormous mountain surrounding it.

The contrast between the rocky mountain and the flat desert below was particularly beautiful.

We took plenty of photographs because, of course, a road trip isn’t complete without taking hundreds of pictures. 😂

The scenery alone made the drive worthwhile.

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Our Plan to Camp Overnight

Originally, we had another plan.

We wanted to stay overnight.

Since we love camping, we thought it would be exciting to spend the night in the cool mountain air and wake up to the sunrise.

Unfortunately, we discovered that Jebel Hafeet wasn’t really set up as a camping destination, and there were no designated camping facilities where we could safely spend the night.

We also couldn’t find suitable washroom facilities for an overnight camping setup.

And because we didn’t want to risk breaking any rules or receiving a fine, we decided not to camp there.

Sometimes, changing your plans is simply part of traveling.

It’s better to enjoy the destination responsibly than to force an activity that isn’t allowed or practical.

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The Washroom Situation

One of the biggest issues we encountered was the lack of convenient washroom facilities at the area where we wanted to stay.

For a short visit, this wasn’t a huge problem.

But for an overnight camping trip, it would definitely have been inconvenient.

We normally bring a portable toilet tent with us when we go camping, so we initially thought we could manage.

However, we weren’t really prepared for the specific conditions at Jebel Hafeet.

This was our first visit, after all.

And that’s another reason why it’s important to research a destination carefully before planning an overnight stay.

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What About Green Mubazzarah?

At the foot of Jebel Hafeet is Green Mubazzarah, another popular attraction in Al Ain.

We were hoping to visit the area and perhaps find a suitable place to spend the night.

Unfortunately, during our 2021 visit, access requirements were in place.

Inspectors asked visitors to show a green Al Hosn status, which at that time was connected to the UAE’s COVID-19 health and testing requirements.

I had the Al Hosn app, but my status was gray, and not everyone in our group had the required status.

Because of this, we weren’t able to enter.

So our overnight camping plan was officially over. 😅

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Back to Plan B

Since we couldn’t stay overnight at Jebel Hafeet or enter Green Mubazzarah, we decided to simply enjoy the mountain for the day.

After all, a good trip doesn’t have to go exactly according to plan.

We spent the rest of the time taking photographs, enjoying the mountain views, talking with our friends, and simply appreciating the experience.

Eventually, we decided to head home and spend the evening having dinner together.

Our camping plan had been cancelled, but we still had a wonderful day.

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Is Jebel Hafeet a Good Camping Spot?

For our experience, I would say that Jebel Hafeet is better suited to a road trip and sightseeing day trip than an overnight camping destination.

The mountain is beautiful, the road is spectacular, and the views are amazing.

But that doesn’t automatically make every beautiful natural destination suitable for camping.

If you are specifically looking for an overnight camping experience, it would be better to choose an area with:

• Designated camping facilities
• Accessible washrooms
• Suitable parking
• Safe and permitted camping areas
• Clear rules regarding fires and overnight stays

That way, you can relax and enjoy the experience without worrying about whether you’re breaking local regulations.

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What We Learned From Our Trip

Our trip to Jebel Hafeet taught us that being prepared matters, especially when you’re visiting a place for the first time.

We went there with a general idea of what we wanted to do, but we hadn’t researched the overnight camping situation in enough detail.

Fortunately, our backup plan was simple:

Enjoy the place, take lots of photos, and go home happy. 😊

And that’s exactly what we did.

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Things to Keep in Mind Before Visiting Jebel Hafeet

1. Prepare for winding roads

The road to the mountain is scenic but full of curves. If you get carsick easily, prepare accordingly.

2. Bring warm clothing

Temperatures at the mountain can be considerably cooler than in the city, especially during winter.

3. Check the weather

Clear weather can make a huge difference when you’re visiting mountain viewpoints.

4. Visit outside peak periods

National holidays and weekends can attract many visitors. Weekdays may offer a quieter experience.

5. Don’t assume you can camp anywhere

Always check current rules and designated camping areas before planning an overnight stay.

6. Check facility availability

If you’re planning to stay for several hours—or overnight—make sure you know where the toilets and other facilities are located.

7. Drive carefully

Take your time on the winding mountain road and avoid rushing.

8. Bring food and drinks

Although there may be cafeterias and shops in some areas, it’s always better to have enough water and snacks with you.

9. Respect the environment

Take your rubbish with you and leave the mountain as clean as you found it.

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Final Thoughts

Our original plan was to spend the night at Jebel Hafeet.

That didn’t happen.

We couldn’t camp.

We couldn’t enter Green Mubazzarah.

And we had to change our plans.

But looking back, I don’t consider the trip unsuccessful at all.

Sometimes, travel isn’t about checking every item off your itinerary.

It’s about appreciating whatever the day gives you.

We drove through beautiful mountain roads.

We enjoyed the cool weather.

We drank Karak Chai.

We laughed with our friends.

We took countless photographs.

And we saw one of the UAE’s most beautiful mountain landscapes with our own eyes.

“Life is a journey, not a destination.”
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.”
— Psalm 19:1

Not every trip goes exactly as planned.

And that’s okay.

Sometimes the cancelled part of the itinerary becomes the part that teaches us the most.

Our overnight camping plan may have been aborted, but our road trip to Jebel Hafeet still gave us a wonderful day filled with beautiful scenery, cool mountain air, laughter, and memories with our friends.

So, for all the road-trip lovers out there, Jebel Hafeet is definitely worth visiting for the views and the drive.

Just don’t assume that because it’s a mountain, it’s automatically a camping spot.

Do your research, follow the rules, prepare properly, and most importantly…

Enjoy the journey. ❤️

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We would love to hear from you!

Have you been to Jebel Hafeet? Or are you another road-trip and camping lover? Share your experience in the comments below!

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Historical note: This post describes our visit on December 3, 2021. Access requirements, facilities, camping regulations, and COVID-19 entry requirements may have changed since then, so readers should check current official information before visiting.

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Originally Published: December 7, 2021
Updated: August 2026