Ras al-Khaimah is a little over an hour north of Dubai, and boasts Jebel Jais, which at 1,934 masl is the highest mountain peak in the UAE. You can find hikes of almost any level of difficulty, whether you’re looking for a short day hike or to backpack.
If you travel about an hour east of Dubai towards Sharjah, you’ll find Eye of Maleha, a rock formation in Mleiha Desert. You can enjoy the sand dunes and climb up to the rock (as well as the nearby Camel Rock), watch the sunset, and visit the nearby archeological center.. While you won’t need four-wheel drive to get close to the Eye of Maleha, it does get rocky, and your best bet is to park nearby and walk over toward the sandy dune.