Wadi Shawka

Wadi Shawka is a valley in the mountains of Ras Al Khaimah in the UAE. A perfect spot for a picnic, hike or just to escape from the city.

Where is Wadi Shawka?

Ras Al Khaimah is one of the 7 Emirates of the UAE and is about a 1 hour drive from Dubai. Wadi Shawka is a popular spot for a picnic, a day-trip, hiking or camping. It is an easy, well signposted drive alongside the desert on the Sharjah-Kalba road and is on Google Maps or Waze. No off-roading needed to get there. There is parking just put in Wadi Shawka dam park as the end location.

What Facilities are in Wadi Shawka?

The car park at Wadi Shawka is accessible for any car. It is advisable to arrive early on the weekend as parking can get busy.

In the car park you will find toilets (bring some toilet roll!). There is also a little van selling karak and some snacks. You will find a children’s playground too. It is possible to camp at Wadi Shawka although it can get busy.

Can we bring the kids to Wadi Shawka?

Yes! Definitely. We first took the boys when our youngest was only 3 and he managed a short hike!

There are numerous different hikes to follow, check Wikiloc for lots of different trails of different abilities. All the trails start with a climb up the stairs, there are a lot of steps but with many viewpoints along the way to stop. The kids actually managed easier than us – keep going as the steps are the hardest part.

What is the best Wadi Shakwa hike to follow with kids?

With the kids we always take an easy-ish route. It usually takes us about 1.5-2 hours in total with breaks.

1. After reaching the top and admiring the views, follow the trail to the right which takes you down another rocky path. Ensure you have shoes with a good grip as it can get pretty slippery.
2. Once you reach the flat part at the bottom of the downhill path, follow the path to the left.
3. This path meanders round rocky mountains, use the shelters to take snack stops.
4. Eventually the path brings you back down to the road close to the car park.

It’s a good 9000 steps on the Fit Bit, nice and flat after the initial stairs. A good family friendly hike we had minimal moaning and groaning. The boys and even Grampy enjoyed it!

The views were incredible, scenery beautiful and such a lovely escape from the city for a day. Wadi Shawka weather is the same as the rest of the UAE – hot! Make sure to wear lots of sunscreen and bring plenty of water. There are some shaded spots along the way but they are minimal!

Note that this Wadi Shawka hike route will not take you to the Wadi Shawka pools. You will need to check on Wikiloc for the route that includes pools.

Can I include a Wadi Shawka hike on a staycation?

Yes! Absolutely. Wadi Shawka hike is a great stop off to do on the way to Fujairah. Although Wadi Shawka is in the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah it is closer to Khorfakkan and Al Aqah beach in Fujairah than Ras Al Khaimah beach resorts.

If you’re looking for a cheaper hotel in Fujairah we can recommend the Al Bahar Hotel. It is a dry hotel (no alcohol) but the Fujairah sailing club is next door where you can get a drink and sit overlooking the boats. It has a big pool and is on the beach with large family rooms. We stayed there for 3 nights and used it as a great base for hiking and exploring Khorfakkan and Fujairah.

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If you enjoyed reading this post on Wadi Shawka then click here to find out about some other family hikes in the UAE. If you are looking for some other adventures in the UAE check out 50 Cheap Family Activities in the UAE. Here you will find everything you need to know about the UAE.

If you are looking for a trip to Oman check out our Dubai to Oman road trip. Here you will find 7 stunning places to visit in Oman. If you are looking for other family travel inspiration then check out our Destinations Page for lots of other ideas.

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