Millions of years ago, the sweeping orange dunes and rocky mountains of the Arabian peninsula lay deep under the ocean. Where the Burj Khalifa now towers above the Dubai skyline, prehistoric nummulites once made homes in colorful coral reefs.
Today, evidence of these creatures still remains in the form of perfectly preserved fossils, dotting the desert landscapes of the UAE. And one of the best places to spot these prehistoric fossils happens to be only 45 minutes from Downtown Dubai – at the appropriately named Fossil Rock.
These days, Fossil Rock is one of the best day hikes from Dubai, perfect for geology lovers and outdoor enthusiasts alike. In this guide, I’ll break down everything you need to know to tackle this trek – just remember to keep your eyes out for fossils!
This site uses affiliate links to share products that I use and love! If you click on one of the links I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. This helps keep my site up and running — thank you!
The Fossil Rock Basics
Total Distance: 8km out-and-back trail
Duration: Minimum 2-3 hours
Elevation Gain: 265 meters
Difficulty Level: Moderate (some technical rock scrambling included)
Location: In the Emirate of Sharjah, 45 minutes from Dubai
Cost: Free
Know Before You Go
Before you head up the Fossil Rock, here are a few things you should know.
The Geologic Wonder of Fossil Rock
True to its name, Fossil Rock is home to thousands of marine fossils, dating back millions of years to the Cretaceous era. Most of the fossils found around Fossil Rock are gastropods – perhaps better known as snails!
Millions of years ago, underwater volcanic activity occurred to form what is now the Hajar Mountain range. In the valleys of the mountains, areas still covered by the ocean, the shallow, warm waters allowed for a plethora of species to thrive. The fossils of these species were preserved in time by sediment deposits – what is now the Fossil Rock.
Recommended Reading: Hiking Wadi Ghub – The Best UAE Hike for Geology Lovers
The Archeological Significance of the Area
The area surrounding Fossil Rock is of great archaeological significance to the UAE. This area, known as Mleiha, is home to a number of pre-Islamic archaeological sites, dating back to some of the earliest human settlers in the UAE.
If you’re hiking in the area, a visit to Mleiha should be on your itinerary. Stop by the Mleiha Archaeological Center for some background on Mleiha’s significance, or visit some of the archeological sites to see them with your own eyes. Check out my guide to everything to do in Mleiha to help you plan the perfect trip.
Respect the Fossils
As tempting as it might be to take fossils you find home with you, please respect the environment and future hikers and leave no trace while visiting Fossil Rock in Sharjah. This means leaving any fossils you find in place — even if they are loose and not contained in the surrounding rocks. Using tools to remove a fossil from the rocks can have detrimental effects on the surrounding environment and make the path unclear.
If you do find a unique fossil consider taking it to the nearby Mleiha Archaeological Center. They have the proper resources to care for these prehistoric fossils and can give you more information on what you’ve found.
The Best Time to Hike Fossil Rock
The best season for hiking in the UAE is typically from October-March, when temperatures are cooler. Fossil Rock has little to no shade along the hike, so paying close attention to the temperature before trekking is especially important.
If you do plan to hike Fossil Rock during the warmer months, I recommend beginning as early as possible and carrying plenty of water with you. Lightweight but full-coverage clothing can also help keep the sun off and keep you cooler in the high heat.
How to Get To Fossil Rock
You’ll be able to spot Fossil Rock nearly right away coming from Dubai or Sharjah. The rock rises from the tall orange dunes seemingly out of nowhere, the first of the oncoming Hajar Mountain Range.
Fossil Rock is located in the Emirate of Sharjah. From the cities of Dubai or Sharjah, navigate to Route E611 (Emirates Road). From Emirates road, turn onto Route E102 (Sharjah-Kalba Road), and travel for around 40 kilometers until you reach the trailhead on the right of the road. The total distance is about 70 kilometers from Downtown Dubai and 50 kilometers from Downtown Sharjah.
The best starting point for the hike is from this parking lot off of Sharjah-Kalba road (Coordinates 25°10’02.9″N 55°50’29.7″E) To access the parking lot, you must be driving eastbound. Watch out as you approach, as the turn comes up fast on your right as you crest a small hill.
Recommended Reading: Visiting a Buried Village in the Deserts of Sharjah
How to Hike Fossil Rock
This guide details how to independently hike Fossil Rock. While this is a fairly short trail distance/elevation wise, there is some moderate rock scrambling along the route, so come prepared with the proper clothing and gear.
While this is a popular trail, it is not the most well-marked, with a few cairns here and there along the way. Here’s a great guide on Wikiloc that you can download offline and follow along the way.
Section 1: Under the Fence and Through the Desert
The Fossil Rock trailhead begins just beyond the fence on the side of the parking lot. Go around the right side of the smaller fence, and you’ll soon encounter a taller fence. You’ll notice a section where the fence is propped up, with space to crawl through underneath to the trailhead. Now is the time to channel your inner Indiana Jones and shimmy through – just make sure you wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty!
The trail begins from here, first taking you down a gravel slope and across a stretch of desert dotted with a few trees. Don’t immediately begin ascending the mountain from here – rather, keep left and walk along the sandy road to the left of the mountain until you encounter the second wadi. You might even spot some camels along the way!
Recommended Reading: The Dubai Camel Races – All Your Questions Answered
Section 2: Climbing up Fossil Rock
The ascent begins through the wadi to your right, marked by a few rock cairns along the way. The terrain is rocky, but fairly flat at first, navigating you through the rocks in the base of the wadi.
However, the trail soon gets steeper, with a few rock scrambles along the way. If you find yourself full-blown rock climbing, simply turn and find an alternate route – no section of this trail should have you climbing, but some scrambling over uneven terrain is required.
Be careful with your footing during this ascent, as some of the rocks can be uneven or prone to breaking. Test rocks carefully before placing your full weight and of course, keep an eye out for fossils in the rocks along the way!
Section 3: Crossing the Ridgeline
After ascending Fossil Rock, you will soon find yourself on the ridgeline. While you’re nearly at the summit, I highly recommend following the cairns across the plateau to the lookout point at the far end of the ridgeline. The views from the edge are stunning – out over the rolling dunes of the desert one direction, towards the continuing Hajar and town of Mleiha the other.
At the lookout point, make sure to use common sense. Don’t stand too close to the edge, and if you’ve packed a picnic, make sure to pack out everything you’ve brought with you. Please remember to be courteous of other hikers who will visit this place after you.
Section 4: The Descent
Since this is an out-and-back hike, to return to your car, simply come back from the direction you came. Be careful as you approach the descent through the wadi – it is important to descend through the same wadi from which you came to avoid adding significant time to your hike. I recommend using your map here to ensure you go the same way.
When descending through the wadi, keep the same safety measures in mind on uneven, rocky terrain, and make sure your footing is stable and can support your weight. After descending, you’ll once again find yourself on the desert road, which you can follow back to the gravel hill and up to the parking lot.
Tips for Camping at Fossil Rock
Fossil Rock can be a great place for camping – in theory.
Due to the popularity of the surrounding dunes as an off-roading location, camping can be a much louder experience than expected. Think revving engines drowning out all other sounds. All. Night. Long.
Does this mean you shouldn’t camp at Fossil Rock? Absolutely not! If you can handle the noise, there’s no better place to spot stars at night than among the dunes. Here are a few tips for camping at Fossil Rock.
- Camp on the ridgeline: To avoid the incessant dune-bashers, consider camping on the ridgeline of Fossil Rock instead of in the dunes. You’ll have some epic sunrise views, and sleep peacefully knowing a 4×4 won’t come crashing through in the night. However, winds can be higher on the ridgeline and the ground not as soft, so come prepared with the right gear if you choose this route.
- Camp under a tree: If you do want to camp at the base of Fossil Rock, consider pitching your tent under one of the trees at the base of the mountain. This will keep you safe from dune-bashers who might not be able to see you until they’re too close.
- Bring a flashlight: It seems obvious, but with the steep and rocky terrain around you, a flashlight is essential for a midnight bathroom break or navigating your campsite.
- Pack in, pack out: Remember to practice Leave No Trace principles and leave your campsite better than you found it. This means packing out all trash and gear.
Curious about camping in the UAE? Check out my complete guide to everything you need to know before you pitch your tent.
My Essential Gear for Traveling in the UAE
Desert environments can be unforgiving, so having the right gear is essential! Here are some of my tried-and-tested essentials I recommend to any outdoor adventurer in the UAE:
- The Wikiloc App – If you’re heading out on a UAE hike, there’s no better app than Wikiloc! Download routes, share photos with other hikers, and stay safe out on the trails.
- Sturdy Sandals – Perfect for wearing around your campsite or exploring the desert! I live in my Tevas for all outdoor adventures.
- Well-Made Boots – Good boots are a must for navigating the rocky Hajar Mountains. I’ve hiked all over the UAE in my Blundstone Boots.
- A Purifying Water Bottle – Water is scarce, so it’s important to have access any chance you get! This Water-To-Go filtered bottle means you can drink from wadi streams with no issues.
- Lightweight Scarves – I always keep a lightweight scarf in my bag in case I need to cover my head or need some extra protection from the desert sun.
Love stories? Subscribe to my newsletter to get my latest updates delivered straight to your inbox every month. One email a month + no spam? Sign me up!
Virginia Taylor (Ginna) is a travel writer and photographer exploring the world until her boots wear through. She’s currently on a mission to explore all 32 departments of Colombia, though she formerly called the Middle East home. Want to know more? Visit the About Page.
The landscape looks scary as well as wonderful. It sounds like a great experience and the camel is so cute 🙂
Thanks for this detailed guide! Hiking in Dubai has never really occured to me but it looks great. Definitely something to consider on a future trip.
I love all your hiking guides and saving them all! This is another beautiful trail I’d love to discover. Thanks for the inspiration!
Other than a tour to the desert, we did not get to spend a lot of time outside of Dubai. And that was pretty much a disappointment. So on a return visit maybe we will plan to hike to Fossil Rock. We will certainly keep our eyes peeled to see the fossils. And will certainly leave them untouched in place! I love that view from the heights! Worth the climb for sure.
Wow this place is beautiful! Great information!!