Great Roads 1 - Jebel Hafeet

Jebel Hafeet - perfect for a hill climb

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Tom Bird
31 January 2010

Our region is a little short on what would be described as decent driving roads – unless you really get your kicks on vast swatches of arrow straight motorway. So we’re highlighting some of the best roads – and want your help in finding more. First in the series is perhaps one of the most famous roads in the region – Jebel Hafeet.

Situated on the Jebel Hafeet mountain on the border between the UAE and Oman, this 12.3km stretch of tarmac leads to the highest point accessable by a regular car in the UAE. And what great joys await at the top of a mountain?

A crappy little restaurant at 1016m above sea level. However, the Mercure Grand Hotel a few kilometres down the mountain is good for tea and cake around the pool.

Set the sat-nav for Al Ain – basically follow the E66 until it ends. Once there, follow the brown tourist signs to the Hafeet.

Beware, if you’re visiting at the weekend, arrive early to avoid the traffic. Better still, stay overnight at the Grand Mercure and you can play all night – there’s little else to do in the area. Make sure you fill up in Al Ain itself though, as it’s a very long walk down to get fuel.

Jebel Hafeet can be a killer – we’ve had plenty of cars throw up all manner of warnings due to overheating. If it’s your first time, take it easy – some of the corners are very deceptive and the scars on the concrete crash barriers bear the marks of those who’ve overcooked it en route to the summit.

See Muhammed Ben Sulayem set a record run up the mountain in a Nissan GT-R here.

Don’t worry about holding anyone up, it’s two lanes up and one down. Just leave the gawping at the view for the numerous parking areas on the way up. Enjoy!

24°3’ 30” N 55°46’ 40” E is your end goal

Know of a great road in the region? Let us know below

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Kenneth Wardlaw says

Re: Great Roads 1 - Jebel Hafeet
I saw the story of Jebel Hafeet in your mag then the second story of great driving roads being the one from Sharjah here on the website. However, on the website I can only find the 2 stories. Were there ever anymore? There must be more good roads around the UAE, surely? Reply

02 March 2010

Shahzad Sheikh says

Re: Great Roads 1 - Jebel Hafeet
Yep more coming soon. Keep coming back to the site or register to receive our newsletter to stay updated. Meanwhile, let us know what your favourite roads are! Reply

02 March 2010

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