Sri Krishna
According to the definition, we can hike in the desert, near the sea, and enjoy the beautiful views around us, and Qatar has many such landscapes to offer.
If you are doing hiking for the first time, you must know that hiking is a low effect workout, and according to studies, hiking has many physical & mental perks to your health. The American Hiking Society stimulates hiking cause of its perks & decreases the risk of diagnosed with cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, colon cancer, arthritis, obesity, and can decrease the symptoms of depression and anxiety.
So, what are the hiking places in Qatar?? Well! There are no permanent hiking trails in Qatar, but there are a few magnificent places where you can hike. In this article, we are going to tell you all about them.
Umm Bab
Umm Bab is a great place for beginners. It has approx 43km long hiking trail. It can take 4.5-5 hours to cover the distance, depending on the speed you walk and the breaks you take.
Location: Longitude: 25.2075228; Latitude: 50.7971334
Hike length and time: 43 km; approximately 7 – 8 hours
Ash Shaqra
Ash Shaqra is located in Al Wakrah and lies 52km south of Doha. Ash Shaqra is well known for hiking as per Wikiloc. Ash Shaqra is 31km long and takes 0.5-1 hour to complete the hiking trail depending on your speed and breaks you take.
- Location: Longitude: 51.399342; Latitude: 24.823311
- Hike length and time: 31 km; approximately 5 – 6 hours
Zekreet
Zakreet is an alluring spot to hike, 80km away from Doha. Dukhan is the nearest settlement to Zekreet. Zekreet Bay is towards the west and is a half-moon shaped bay, and there is also a cape project into the bay known as Ras Zekreet. This is the ideal place in Qatar to hike, and you will love the landscape.
The landscape of the western region of Qatar is changed from time to time. There are mushroom hills, and you can also see the Zekreet Film City, Zekreet Fort, the mushroom or umbrella-shaped limestone hut on a hill, and Richard Serra’s East-West/West-East desert sculpture made up of 7 iron plates during hiking. The hike is 44km long and takes 3.5-5 hours depends on your speed and the breaks you take.
- Location: Longitude: 50.8488; Latitude: 25.5891
- Hike length and time: approximately 44 km; approximately 8-9 hours
Fuwairit Beach to Al Mafjar
If you love to walk along the beach, then Fuwairit Beach is an ideal place for you. You can start your hike from Fuwairit Beach to Al Ghariyah to Al Mafjar. You will feel the cold sea breeze on your face. The distance between the two beaches is 11.8km and takes 2.5-3 hours to walk one way.
- Fuwairit Beach location: Longitude: 51.3566328; Latitude: 26.078712
- Al Mafjar location: Longitude: 51.2899683, Latitude: 26.1017859
- Hike length and time: 11.8km; 2.5 – 3 hours
Qurayn Abu al Bawl to Abu Samra
With 103 meters, Qurayn Abu al Bawl is Qatar’s highest point. Qurayn Abu al Bawl is located in the southwest of Qatar nearby to the Qatar-Saudi border. You will love the hike in this area all the way from Abu Samra, which is 56.km and may take anywhere between.
- Abu Samra Location: Longitude: 51.522476; Latitude: 25.280282
- Qurayn Abu al Bawl Location: Longitude: 51.183999264; Latitude: 24.940996236
- Hike length and time: 56.3 km; approximately 9 – 10 hours
Abu Samra to Al Mashrab
The hiking spot of Abu Samra is 208km long and takes approx above 8 hours depending on your speed and breaks you take.
- Abu Samra Location: Longitude: 51.522476; Latitude: 25.280282
- Al Mashrab Location: Longitude: 50.6864522; Latitude: 26.2147042
- Hike length and time: 208 km; approximately 11+ hours
Forts & villages of Qatar
If you want adventure, you can hike all the forts and deserted villages of Qatar, and marvel at these alluring structures from the past years. There is the Rayyan Castle, Al Koot Fort, Barzan Towers, Zekreet Fort, Zubarah Fort, Al Thaqab Fort, and the Al Rakayat Fort. The deserted villages are Al Jumail Fishing Village, Al Areesh, and Al Khuwair village.
Tips to follow while hiking in Qatar
In 2019 Fahad Badar became the first Arab male to reach the summits of both Mount Everest and Mount Lhotse during the same tour. To be able to achieve his mountaineering experiences Fahad needs to train hard.
Following are a few tips that Fahad tells all hikers to follow while hiking in Qatar-
- Plenty of water.
- Sunscreen & a good hat.
- Small torch & extra batteries.
- Sunglasses for eye protection.
- Buff to protect mouth and nose.
- Hiking boots.
- Extra snacks.
- Light jacket to keep you warm during the night.
- Fully charged mobile phone and fully charged power bank.
- Be conscious of the environment; do not litter, and try to avoid stepping on plants.
Do you love hiking? Are you a beginner hiker or an advance? Let us know in the comments.
