| Recreational climbing in the United Arab Emirates has a 40 history, however the most significant activity has taken place in the last 10 years. Large increases in the size of the expatriate community and a growing awareness of the tremendous potential for rock climbing has resulted in a sustained surge of activities that continues today. |
| The climbing is predominately along the mountainous border with Oman. The majority of locations can be reached within 40 – 120 minutes from Dubai; please refer to map. The balance of routes is currently traditional but the number of sports routes is growing rapidly. Route lengths vary from 20m cragging to 500m climbs of alpine proportions. Some of the shorter routes on the most accessible crags have been
equipped with fixed anchors to facilitate top roping. |
| There are now over 2000 graded routes in the climbing guide to the region. The number of identified crags still to be developed and numerous unclimbed lines on the areas that are currently used means this number is going to increase rapidly. The development to date has barely scratched the surface of the available climbing. The opportunities for new route pioneers are almost limitless. |
| The rock is desert limestone. Although the surface of this can be friable and it is usual for all but the longest routes to be clean off abseil prior to first ascent, the resulting climbing gives superb friction and positive holds. The downside is that it is tough on the fingers, clothes and equipment. |
| We have divided the climbing into 4 areas, from south to north: |
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| Please follow the side bar links or map to get further information on an area, its crags, how to get to them and what’s currently available at each crag. |
| For information on how to get the Climbing Guide to the United Arab Emirates follow here. |
| To report new routes or the discovery of another major new climbing location in the United Arab Emirates then please go here |
