RAKTRAV - Longest hiking trail in the UAE by FOX.AE (SO FAR)!

7 consecutive days. 7 hiking trails. Linked together by my hiking group, FOX.AE is an ambitious adventure back in 2020: the 136-kilometer Ras Al Khaimah Traverse (RAKTRAV). Traversing the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah from North to South, the trail is considered as the longest hiking trail in the UAE - SO FAR!

Longest Hiking Trail Route in UAE

Over the span of seven days, RAKTRAV 2020, in its first season, featured a series of diverse hiking trails, each with varying distances.

Starting from the northern region of Ras Al Khaimah at Wadi Litibah, also known as the Stairway to Heaven Right Bank, the journey progressed through the lower terrains of Jebel Jais. The following trails are the Hidden Oasis, Wadi of Giants, and Wadi Al Far, and boy they were my favorites! The challenging Awafi Trail coupled with a short distance on Jebel Qadaah followed next.

As the trail nears its end, the longer trails await in the southern region of Ras Al Khaimah. We picked up hiking in Wadi Sal to Yanas Mountain, then followed by the full loop of Wadi Naqab through Jebel Yibir, Tala Village and Baqal Village.

Strava records weren't my thing yet at that time, unfortunately. But the team saved the day! Sir Allan Tengonciang, our lead, was able to compile and record most of the distances and shared them on Facebook. Thanks, Sir Al!

Click HERE for Allan Tengonciang's Facebook Post!

Camp Sites (or Check Points)

At the end of each day, camp sites were set up between trails to provide refuge for the hikers at night. Originally, there were six planned camps in total. However, there was a slight change to Camps 2 and 3. Instead of having two separate camp sites, we ended up camping at Wadi Shah (now known as Wadi Shehah) next to the Bear Grylls Adventure Camp.

The change of plan was decided upon securing a nice and quiet spot at Camp 2. Considering the short distance between Camp 2 & 3 from the main road, we decided to utilize the same campsite for both nights. After completing Day 3, we simply walked back to Camp 2 to spend the night.

Logistics & Support Team

Another essential factor of this successful event is our dedicated support team. This team is responsible for logistics, setting up camp sites, and attending to the basic needs of the hikers. They remained present at camp sites before, during, and after the climb to address emergencies and other requirements.

Shoutout to FOX.AE Support Team: Mam Dahay Tengonciang, Luckie Distrito, Anjan Morales, Gil De La Paz, Neil Andrew Calingasan and Joseph Digma

Another source of support came from Sir Aries and Mam Lani of Mang Ariesyo's Bulaluhan, who provided meals throughout the entire event. Delicious Filipino meals were prepared and served for breakfast, lunch, and dinner for both the participants and the support group.

Last but not the least, a heartfelt appreciation goes out to the lead team who meticulously explored and planned the trail, laying the foundation for this remarkable journey!

Hiking Experience

Collectively, the entire trail is not everyone's cup of tea. It is a combination of various types of hiking trails: established trails, not-so-established and close to none, a walk in the park kind of trail, rugged jeep/offroad trails, narrow goat trails, and so forth. Each trail offers a distinct and unique experience, perceived and processed differently by each and everyone.

Fortunately, no casualties happened during the event. The overall experience was pure bliss with a little bit of agony. Sorry knees! As physically and mentally exhausting as it was, pushing my limits felt like an ordinary adventure to me, compiled day after day. Nothing grand to brag about.

And as we go each and every trail day after day, I realized that no two hiking days are the same. The liberating feeling of what felt like an endless hiking trip, with its highs and lows, was quite addictive.

At the time of writing the original post in 2020, RAKTRAV was just an escape for me. An escape from the chaotic reality of COVID-19 and from the personal frustrations I had with my career at that time. I was too consumed by the fact that hiking had become my coping mechanism for life's frustration. And there's nothing wrong with that.

Unbeknownst to me, however, this experience was an amazing feat. An achievement that would leave its mark in our hiking books for a lifetime.

Another season happened the following year - RAKTRAV 2021. Although I only joined in 5 out of the 7 days, I still couldn't grasp the weight of this achievement. Not even to my name, nor the possibility of this trail to be an official long-distance trail of the UAE.

Looking back today, I believe it's only fitting to hope that this write-up does justice and brings a spotlight that this trail deserves. Until it becomes an official long-distance trail of the UAE, let me continue claiming this: RAKTRAV IS the longest hiking trail in the UAE, SO FAR!

RAKTRAV Resources (Hiking Guides):

Feel free to utilize the resources below to help you in navigating the trails featured in this post:

• RAKTRAV 2020 - Hiking Trail Route
• Ras Al Khaimah Traverse Season 2 - RAKTRAV2021
• 2nd Day Hiking Trail: Jebel Jais – Hidden Oasis – Wadi of Giants
• 3rd Day Hiking Trail: Wadi Al Far
• 7th Day Hiking Trail: Wadi Naqab Loop Trail (Sheri Village – Jebel YIbir – Tala Village – Baqal Village – Wadi Naqab)

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!