When I just started hiking in the UAE, I had my eyes on the famous Stairway to Heaven (not to be confused with 'right bank') in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE. The resources online about the trail were limited back then. It wasn't even a selling point nor commercialized by adventure companies. After getting my shot at hiking it (and yearly hiking it as a tradition), I've compiled all the information as a hiking guide. If you're interested in hiking the Stairway to Heaven through Wadi Litibah (the full loop trail), read this section-by-section hiking guide to guide you!
Hiking Overview:
- Route: Stairway to Heaven Full Loop Trail (down to Wadi Litibah)
- Distance: 19.55 km
- Highest Elevation reached: 1,665 MASL
- Elevation Gain: 1,554 meters +/-
- Total Moving Time: 14 hours and 40 minutes (idk where Strava gets that time seriously)
- Day(s) needed: 1 day
- Difficulty Level (own opinion): 2.5 out of 5
- Ideal time to hike this trail: Late October to early April
How to get there and how to get out?
As I always mention about hiking in UAE, jump-offs or trailheads are not usually accessible by public transportation. Hence I do not include an option of public transportation anymore. However, you will find the coordinates of the parking location and the trailhead below for your reference.
Since this is a loop trail, you will finish your hike at the exact starting point which is at the bottom of the wadi where you parked your car. From there, you can drive back to Dubai or your point of origin.
Hiking Trailhead:
From Wadi Ghalilah Dam, drive further inside on an offroad trail up to the pin location shared below. While a sedan can push through, we highly suggest taking a 4x4 with you for a more comfortable drive at the offroad trail.
There is a small parking at the bottom of the wadi but it gets full on weekends so come as early as you can.
Hiking Trail Sections of Stairway to Heaven Loop Trail:
Despite the long distance of the trail, I will only divide it into four sections below. These five sections are landmarks and notable points that you can easily recognize and remember. Without further adieu, let's start!
1. Wadi Litibah, Junction & Grotto
The first section of the trail goes through the Wadi Litibah trail (now they call it Stairway to Heaven - Right Bank) until you reach the junction/fork. If it's your first time hiking Wadi Litibah, follow the trail on the right side of the wadi.
The trail is established with steps of stones built by Pakistani shepherds. You will reach a stone table and some benches and the fork is just a few meters away. At the not-so-obvious fork (be mindful because you can miss it) take the LEFT TRAIL for Stairway to Heaven's trail.
Once you take the left trail, the trail becomes harder to make out. Although still recognizable, the trail gets steeper and covered in scree. Keep going up until you reach the ‘Lonely Boulder’ (or the boulder that looks lonely all by himself). Keep going higher until you reach the ‘grotto’.
The trail looks the same from the grotto except that you will come across some colorful plants/flowers along the way. Of course, the plants and flowers may not be available all year round.
Continue hiking until you see a lonely tree in a corner on the right side. Make way for yourself from this tree and hike some more until you hit the ‘Wall’ (sounds like we’re in Game of Thrones, isn't it?).
2. Wall, Stairs & Roof of Stairway to Heaven
At the Wall, you have to follow the path until you reach the first staircase. The first two staircases are short but narrow so you have to squeeze yourself through. Keep on the left side of the ‘Wall’ and you will end up on the next staircase. There are about 5-7 staircases and the length of each varies (I lost count, to be honest) plus some ledges along the way until you reach the Summit/Roof.
Finally, you reach the Summit of what I call 'Roof' and your struggle with the staircases is over! Enjoy the quaint Omani villages at the “Roof” and if you’re lucky, interact with the Omanis if they are present.
3. Oman Crossing, Rolling Mountains, & Woh Village
At this point, technically you are now in Oman. Walk further to the edge and you will be able to see the border posts of two countries – UAE and Oman.
Like in Madha, there’s no border control in this part of Oman. However, please stay on the trail and don’t risk going to the towns of Oman as you are now illegally crossing the border. I heard that the government and police officers from Oman became lenient towards the hikers since it’s way too risky to go down using the staircases again. But mind your own business and continue hiking up (yes you will go higher again) until you reach the ‘Rolling Mountains’.
Start hiking higher and you will notice that there are rocks with reddish colors. I read somewhere that it is a mixture of Copper/Iron hence the color.
And now you are at my favorite part - this amazing view of the Wall and the Roof! From this view, it looks like a plain wall, just a WALL. A wall without a trail and the nerve-wracking staircases! I mean can you see the trail?
By now, you will have to cross hill after hill at the rolling mountains section. Some parts of the trail are visible while other parts are donkey trails that you have to follow. While it may sound easy and a no-brainer, you should start preserving your energy because this is a long one. So keep on walking before sunset. From afar, you will get a sight of this structure which is located at Jebel Al Harim. Google Maps says it's a mosque but it looks like a military base to me.
4. Wadi Litibah, Coliseum, & Junction
Once you reach Woh Village (the village name kept on changing, to be honest), prepare your knees for descent. I loathe this part.
This is the last part of the loop trail of Stairway to Heaven and it is not a joke either. The trail is long, and winding, with lots of stone steps constructed by the Pakistani shepherds over the past years. There are donkey farms, a small village, water tanks, and some water lines along the way too. Lastly, there are viewing decks and stone benches in case you want to take a break.
For about 2-3 hours (depending on your pace), you should be at the section where it looks like a coliseum because of its low ceiling. From here, continue to go down until you reach the junction where you took the left trail in the morning.
As you go down the junction from the right trail, you've finally completed the full loop. Go down the same trail you took in the morning until you reach the jump-off where you parked your car. And that's it, you have finished the Stairway to Heaven Hike as I did! Congratulations!
Personal Thoughts:
As I always say, we all have different adventure appetite or what I call ‘#hikeppetite’ to begin with. So, a good trail for me might not be a good trail for you and vice versa. And that’s completely okay, we don’t need to agree with anyone or everyone all the time. Anyhow, here’s what I think about the hike to Stairway to Heaven in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE:
Pros:
- If you’re looking for a trail to test your endurance and capabilities, this is the perfect trail. You can use this trail as your training ground especially if you are preparing for future hikes or expeditions. If you're looking for a similar trail, check out the Wadi Naqab Loop Trail.
- The staircases and the exposed area of the wall (with the sheer drop cliffs) are challenging technical sections but doable with a little bit of scrambling. If you're looking for a hike to practice your skills and experience, you can consider this trail but make sure that you know your limits, and should be done with utmost caution.
Cons:
- This is a long trail for a day hike and emergency evacuation (especially in the middle part) will be difficult in the worst-case scenario. So if you're a beginner, consider putting it off until you are confident about your fitness level.
- There are no water resources along the trail. The nearest one would be in Woh Village where you can ask for help but do NOT take advantage of the kindness of the Pakistani Shepherds staying in the village. Bring enough for your consumption.
- The trail is NOT established nor well-marked. Make sure to go with someone who knows the trail very well.
No matter how well-marketed this trail is, be reminded that this trail is doable but not for everyone. Make sure that you are fully prepared before doing this hike. From the staircases (the old Shihu trail), the Omani village, and the ruggedness of the terrain, this hike will surely fill up your thirst for adventure!
Whatever decision you make, always remember to prepare beforehand, stay safe, and last but not least, enjoy the outdoors! #happyhiking!
With lots of love,
PINAYHAKAWATI 💗
AND AS A GENTLE OUTDOOR ETHICS REMINDER:
LEAVE NO TRACE!
