With Abu Dhabi establishing itself as the UAE’s cultural and artistic hub, and Dubai comfortably sitting pretty as the nation’s glam and cosmopolitan hotspot, Ras Al Khaimah is steadily positioning itself as the destination for nature and adventure. Recent years have seen a spate of hotel openings in RAK, many of which take advantage of the emirate’s picture-perfect dunes and quiet beaches, but more recently it’s the emirate’s mountain – Jebel Jais, the UAE’s highest at 1,934 metres – that has been taking centre stage.
Its next attraction will put Burj Khalifa to shame: the Jebel Jais Observation Deck, situated around 1,300 metres above sea level bests the man-made tower’s deck by more than 740 metres, with the additional bonus of a temperature that is around 10°C cooler than the UAE average. Set to open this October, the tourist site is being developed by Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA), and will feature a number of viewing platforms vaunting stunning vistas of the rugged Al Hajar mountain range and Arabian Gulf.
Additionally, the site will act as a base camp for hikers and cyclists testing their fitness and taste for adventure on the mountain, but will also have features to appeal to the more laid-back visitors such as picnic spots, walking paths – and even a dedicated food-truck zone and a multi-purpose events space.
Last year saw the opening of Via Ferrata, the region’s longest zip line, which runs along the façade of Jebal Jais. On the back of its already enormous popularity, it will see an expansion that will be revealed when the adventure site reopens in October of this year. RAKTDA has further plans to launch the world’s longest zip line, as well as new mountain and hiking routes, all part of its Vision 2019 tourism strategy to attract one-million visitors by the end of next year.