United Arab Emirates
Jebel Hafeet
A twelve-kilometre road spiralling up a bare limestone fang with 5,000-year-old tombs at its feet.
The road begins its first curve and doesn't stop for twelve kilometres. Bare limestone rises in a single tooth-like fang, each switchback revealing a wider sweep of oasis grid, distant skyline, and Omani haze. At the base, warm mineral water bubbles into open-air pools where families picnic on biryani, the mountain's shadow lengthening over them as the afternoon turns.
Jebel Hafeet rises 1,249 metres above the city of Al Ain in Abu Dhabi, its 12km summit road threading 71 curves up a sheer limestone face that has been listed among the world's top driving roads. At the mountain's base, 5,000-year-old Hafit-period tombs represent some of the oldest funerary structures on the Arabian Peninsula — beehive-shaped stone cairns clustered across the gravel plain. Green Mubazzarah, at the mountain's foot, offers naturally heated thermal pools open year-round alongside picnic grounds and grassy parkland. From the summit, the panorama spans Al Ain's date palm grid, Abu Dhabi's distant towers, and the Hajar ranges fading into Oman.
Solo
Drive the 71 curves at dawn when the road is empty, explore 5,000-year-old tombs at the base, and soak in the thermal pools before the afternoon heat. Jebel Hafeet rewards early risers and self-directed explorers.
Couple
The summit road at sunset — 71 curves of deepening colour — followed by Arabic mezze on the hilltop terrace with views stretching into Oman. The thermal pools at the base offer an unhurried end to the evening.
Family
Children love the thermal pools at Green Mubazzarah, the picnic grounds feel like parkland, and the drive up the mountain turns geography into an event. The 5,000-year-old tombs at the base give even young visitors a sense of deep time.
Friends
Cycling groups tackle the 12km ascent as one of the region's premier hill climbs, while motorists relish every one of the 71 switchbacks. The summit views reward any method of getting there.
- The 5,000-year-old Hafit-period tombs clustered at the mountain's base are among the oldest funerary structures on the Arabian Peninsula.
- The 12km summit road — 71 curves up a sheer limestone face — has been listed among the world's top driving roads by multiple motoring publications.
- Green Mubazzarah thermal springs at the mountain's foot offer warm natural pools open to families year-round, with picnic grounds alongside.
- From the 1,249-metre summit, the panorama spans Al Ain's oasis grid, Abu Dhabi's distant skyline, and the Hajar ranges fading into Oman.
Hot spring pools at Green Mubazzarah where Emirati families picnic on biryani and grilled corn.
Hilltop Mercure hotel's terrace serves Arabic mezze with a view stretching into Oman.
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