Jebel Jais: road, viewing deck, ziplines and hiking

Jebel Jais, in Ras Al Khaimah, is the highest mountain in the UAE at 1,934 metres. Driving up is free and the mountain is open around the clock; you pay only for activities such as the Jais Flight zipline, the Jais Sky Tour and guided hikes. Go between October and April, and plan any zipline for a Wednesday to Sunday.

This page covers the mountain only. For the rest of the emirate (museum, forts, beaches), see our Ras Al Khaimah visitor guide.

Jebel Jais at a glance

The road up: what to expect behind the wheel

Visit Jebel Jais says the road is fully paved and a normal car is fine; you do not need a 4×4. It climbs through hairpin bends, with pull-in stops where you can park safely for photos. The official FAQ puts the drive at about two hours from Dubai and about 45 minutes from Ras Al Khaimah city.

Heavy fog or rain can reduce visibility, so check the forecast before you go. The road is open to cars, 4x4s, motorbikes and bicycles. Cyclists are welcome at the summit, but there is no bike rental on the mountain, so bring your own.

Getting to Jebel Jais without a car

• Jebel Jais shuttle bus: AED 15 per person for a round trip from hotels in Al Hamra and Al Marjan Island, paid by card on board. The official season page describes it as a weekend service; routes and times are in a PDF on the Visit Jebel Jais transport page.
• Licensed taxi: government-licensed, metered taxis can be booked for a half or full day through the RAK Transport Authority, or on 800 1700.
• Hotel car: most hotels can arrange a private car and driver through the concierge.

Jais Viewing Deck Park

The easiest stop if you only want the view. It sits at 1,250 m, almost 30 km into the mountains, with seven viewing decks, 12 binoculars and two cafés, Puro Express and Muse Café. It is also a vantage point for watching riders on the Jais Flight.

• Hours: Sunday to Thursday 8:00 to 20:00; Friday and Saturday 8:00 to 23:00.
• Entry fee: not stated on the tourism board page; check before you go.
• Sunset: the tourism board notes it usually falls between 17:30 and 18:00 there; the time shifts through the year.

Jais Flight and Jais Sky Tour compared

Jais Flight rules you must meet

• Weight between 40 kg and 120 kg.
• Minimum height 130 cm on the tourism board’s Jais Flight page. The Visit Jebel Jais FAQ gives 122 cm, so confirm when you book.
• Original photo ID: passport or Emirates ID. A copy is not enough.
• Athletic clothing. No dresses or skirts, and no flip-flops, sandals or heels; wear sturdy closed-toe shoes with good grip.
• No serious pre-existing medical conditions, and anyone under the influence is refused.
• Under-18s who meet the height and weight limits must be with a parent or legal guardian.

The Sky Tour page does not list age, height or weight limits. Ask when you book rather than assume the Jais Flight rules apply.

Other activities on the mountain

• Jais Ropes Course: a two-level obstacle course 10 metres above the ground at the entrance to Bear Grylls Explorers Camp. It takes about an hour, and every participant is harnessed to a safety line (details).
• Jais Sledder: listed as temporarily closed. When it runs, it is walk-in only.
• Jais Via Ferrata: a guided climb on fixed steel cables for experienced adventurers, ages 14 and up.
• Staying and eating: Bear Grylls Explorers Camp and Camp 1770 offer overnight stays, and 1484 by Puro is a restaurant at 1,484 m.

Hiking on Jebel Jais

The tourism board counts six trails with a combined 16 km. Visit Jebel Jais runs guided hikes in the October to April season, with a minimum age of 8 depending on the hike’s length. Its hiking page lists these trails, with prices per adult:

Bookings go through Bear Grylls Explorers Camp; contacts are on the Visit Jebel Jais hiking page.

Official safety rules for hikers

• Stay on marked trails, and never hike alone.
• Carry at least 3 litres of water per person.
• Tell someone your route and when you expect to be back.
• Groups of more than 10 must register with the tourism authority (RAKTDA) first.
• Take only photos; leave plants and wildlife alone.
• In an emergency, call 999.

Weather on the mountain and what to bring

Down in Ras Al Khaimah, temperatures run from 18 to 25°C in January to 29 to 43°C in July (tourism board). The mountain is usually about 10°C cooler. Visit Jebel Jais says temperatures can drop below zero in winter, and snow has been recorded on rare occasions.

• A warm jacket from late autumn to early spring.
• Closed-toe sports shoes with grip; hiking boots for trails, never sandals.
• Your original passport or Emirates ID if you are riding the zipline.
• Water, energy snacks, sunscreen, a hat and a charged phone.
• Layers and a small first aid kit if you are hiking.

A sample half day on the mountain

1. Leave early and stop at the pull-ins on the way up.
2. Reach the Jais Viewing Deck Park after it opens at 8:00.
3. Take your booked Jais Flight or Sky Tour slot (Wednesday to Sunday).
4. Eat at one of the mountain cafés or restaurants, then drive down before fog or dark if the forecast is poor.

What this guide does not tell you

We do not quote the Sky Tour price, the ropes course price or the shuttle’s exact days, because the official pages we checked do not state them. We also do not give a top speed for the Jais Flight: the two official sites disagree.

Where to check and book

• Visit Jebel Jais: bookings, seasonal openings and closures.
• Visit Ras Al Khaimah: Jebel Jais: the tourism board overview.
• RAKTA taxi service: half-day and full-day taxis.
• Our Ras Al Khaimah directory: places to eat and stay in the emirate.

Checked against the official sources listed on this page on 7 October 2026. Opening times and prices change, so confirm on the official site before you go. See our editorial policy.