Rocky landscape at sunset with warm golden light

Jebel Hafeet Mountains — Scenic Drive, Viewpoints & Guide

📅 Updated August 2026 • By TripHabibi Travel Experts • 7 min read

Quick Answer

Jebel Hafeet is the UAE’s second-highest peak at 1,240 m, above Al Ain. The summit road climbs 11.7 km through 21 hairpin bends in about 20 minutes. Go late afternoon, October to April, and pair it with Green Mubazzarah at the base.

Jebel Hafeet is the UAE’s second-highest peak, rising 1,240 metres above Al Ain, and the road to its summit is regularly named one of the greatest driving roads in the world. Twenty-one hairpin bends climb 11.7 km of flawless tarmac to a viewpoint over the desert and into Oman.

This guide covers the drive, the summit viewpoints, Green Mubazzarah at the base, the best time to go and how to plan the visit.

About Jebel Hafeet

The mountain straddles the border between Abu Dhabi emirate and Oman, dominating the skyline above Al Ain. Its limestone slopes hold fossils and Bronze Age tombs, and the summit road was completed in the 1980s.

What makes it exceptional is the combination: a genuinely world-class road, a dramatic summit view and an oasis city below — all within a couple of hours of Dubai or Abu Dhabi.

Large rock formation above a sheltered stretch of water

The Summit Drive

The climb covers 11.7 km with 21 hairpin bends and three lanes for most of its length. The surface is immaculate and the engineering genuinely impressive — it is why driving enthusiasts travel specifically to experience it.

What to expect

Allow around 20 minutes to the top at a relaxed pace. There are pull-in viewpoints along the way, and the temperature drops noticeably as you climb. Motorcyclists and cyclists also use the road, so take the bends with care.

Summit Viewpoints

The summit has a large car park, a viewing terrace and a café. On a clear day the view stretches over the Al Ain oasis, the surrounding desert and across the border into Oman.

Sunset is the standout time, with the light turning the rock gold and the lights of Al Ain appearing below. It gets busy, so arrive early for a parking spot near the terrace.

Green Mubazzarah

At the mountain’s base, Green Mubazzarah is a park fed by natural hot springs, with rolling lawns, chalets, a lake and warm mineral pools. It is a striking contrast to the bare rock above.

Families picnic and barbecue here, and the warm springs are open for bathing. Entry is free, making it excellent value alongside the mountain drive.

Rocky mountain rising steeply above still water

Getting There

From	Distance	Drive Time
Al Ain city	~30 km	~30 mins
Abu Dhabi	~190 km	~2 hours
Dubai	~160 km	~2 hours

Most visitors combine Jebel Hafeet with the rest of Al Ain. See our guide to things to do in Al Ain for the oasis, forts and museums.

Visit Jebel Hafeet on a Guided Tour

Al Ain highlights plus the Jebel Hafeet summit drive, timed for sunset, with hotel pickup included.

Browse Day Trips Chat With an Expert

Two people walking at sunset in an open landscape

Best Time to Visit

October to April brings comfortable temperatures, and the summit is always several degrees cooler than the base. Late afternoon into sunset is the ideal window for both light and temperature.

Weekends are busiest at the summit car park. A weekday visit means an easier drive and a quieter viewing terrace.

Dark rock formation standing in clear water

Tips for the Drive

Check your brakes and fuel before starting the climb
Use a lower gear descending to avoid overheating brakes
Arrive an hour before sunset for parking near the terrace
Bring a light layer — the summit is noticeably cooler
Watch for cyclists and motorcyclists on the bends
Combine with Green Mubazzarah at the base for a full afternoon

The Bottom Line

Jebel Hafeet is worth the drive purely for the road, and the summit view justifies it twice over. Twenty-one hairpins to 1,240 metres, then desert stretching into Oman — there is nothing else like it in the Emirates.

Go late afternoon between October and April, pair it with Green Mubazzarah below, and build it into a wider Al Ain day.

Frequently Asked Questions

How high is Jebel Hafeet?

Jebel Hafeet rises 1,240 metres, making it the second-highest peak in the UAE. The summit road climbs 11.7 km through 21 hairpin bends.

Is the Jebel Hafeet road worth driving?

Yes. It is regularly named one of the world's great driving roads, with immaculate tarmac, three lanes for most of its length and dramatic mountain views throughout.

How long does it take to drive up Jebel Hafeet?

About 20 minutes at a relaxed pace from the base to the summit car park, with pull-in viewpoints along the way.

What is at the top of Jebel Hafeet?

A large car park, a viewing terrace and a café. On clear days the view stretches over Al Ain, the surrounding desert and into Oman.

What is Green Mubazzarah?

A free park at the base of Jebel Hafeet fed by natural hot springs, with lawns, a lake, chalets and warm mineral pools. Popular for picnics and barbecues.

What is the best time to visit Jebel Hafeet?

Late afternoon into sunset, between October and April. The summit is several degrees cooler than the base, so bring a light layer.

How far is Jebel Hafeet from Dubai?

Around 160 km, roughly a two-hour drive. It is about 30 minutes from Al Ain city and two hours from Abu Dhabi.

↑ Back to top