This is a fresh and previously un-published trip exclusive to weekenduae.com
This easy sand trip will take us to the eastern desert of the UAE within easy reach of Dubai, where between Madam and Dhaid there is a well-known mountain shaped like a horse’s saddle. This route shows you the easy way to get around and up across the saddle. And yes, you will need a 4×4 vehicle, but you will not need to bash it.
On the way, we will stop at some recent archeological discoveries, that have been carefully preserved and reconstructed by the Directorate of Antiquities, Sharjah.
I was blown away by the transformation of the Ford Explorer from, well, boxy old-tech econo-SUV that didn’t quite catch cool and seemed to suffer from a lukewarm reputation to what I was driving – complete evolution! Most new models come with a minor facelift, not so the Fords I’ve driven so far: the American brand has taken the challenge of financial woes three years ago and flipped it into opportunity to leap-frog ahead. Very impressed with the new Explorer!
The vehicle has been totally re-invented, as shown here:
Getting up and over Maleiha might have been hard in the old Explorer, but the new one has sufficient power and traction to make it easily.
Download the KML file for your GPS by clicking here.
Once downloaded, you can import the file into your GPS device by using GPSbabel to convert it to a format your GPS device likes, and then take it on the road with you; or double-click that file and it will open automatically in Google Earth if you have that installed (all adventurers should! Google Earth).
View Jebel Maleiha in a larger map
So, how do we get up – and down again!
The up part requires you following the GPS track I provide. It will take you around to the north of the housing developments and around sneakily on a nice and easy sand track. If you were to gallop across the dunes aiming directly for Jebel Maleiha you would take quite some time, as it is against the grain of the desert. So, we take the easy way in.
That will take you close to the rocky part and around to the back of the jebel (means ‘mountain’ in Arabic, by the way). There you will see the sharp climb up to the saddle, and the sand is well churned up by inexperienced drivers trying the climb by brute force. You can, too, if you like – nothing wrong with a little brute force at appropriate times!
Otherwise, deflate your tyres as low as possible, even down to 12 psi if your vehicle is a light-weight, and perhaps a little under-powered. And then instead of a straight climb, try to maneuver up as high as possible to the right before starting the climb proper. In other words, plan a zig-zag route up.
Always careful with the descent! Engage LO gearing, and foot off the brake to simply allow the car to drive itself down in a straight line. If you start slipping sideways, tap the accelerator lightly to pull yourself straight again.
Please make sure you read the Disclaimer and plan your trips with due care.
Easy to follow directions and a fascinating destination: well done!
Nice website I’m looking forward for your next post
Glad the new Explorer has improved. We drove a good ole oldie for years and got stuck all the time!! 🙂
keep up the good work, looking forward to reading your new material.
Thank you! We were there two weeks ago but did not make it up. We’ll try to zigzag up like you said next time. It’s a beautiful place!
Highly recommend this trip! The view is amazing from up there!
How far is this exactly from Dubai?
About an hour? I’m not exactly sure, but I doubt longer than that.
If you go also stop by fossil rock and camel rock
Great place! I ride my bike their every Fri 🙂