What’s the greatest driving road in the UAE? Ask a casual punter and the odds are that he or she will answer “Jebel Hafeet”. It’s become almost a cliché, but that doesn’t detract from the fact it’s still a cracking stretch of tarmac that’s rated up there with Italy’s Stelvio Pass and Australia’s Great Ocean Road.
Regarded by many as the place to go in the UAE if you’ve managed to score a supercar for a day, Jebel Hafeet has even been voted the greatest driving road on the planet by various international magazines and websites, such as Edmunds.com.
The 11.7-kilometre ribbon of blacktop stands in stark contrast to the barren, rocky terrain it cuts through, adding to the visual drama as you attack it, or merely meander up at leisurely pace while taking in the panorama as you get closer to its 1,249-metre-high peak. (Just as an aside, Jebel Hafeet isn’t the highest mountain in the UAE, as it’s sometimes labelled – that honour belongs to the 1,910-metre-tall Jebel Jais.)
There are two lanes in the upwards direction and one coming down, and there’s excellent sight lines of the road that lies ahead. This means it’s relatively safe to ascend at pace, but you need to bear in mind that it’s a public road, which means you must consider the safety of other road users – including cyclists who go there to train – above all else. If they catch you driving recklessly, the constabulary will also be more than happy to impound your car and furnish you with a hefty fine. So, have fun, but be responsible while you do it.
There are 21 turns, which range from tight hairpins to fast sweepers, so it’s an enjoyable playground where you can explore your vehicle’s dynamic abilities. The surface is super-smooth, which means even hypercars with rock-hard suspension won’t suffer undue wear and tear, nor will it result in your teeth parting company with your fillings.
I had to have about six runs in each direction when I first set wheel on Jebel Hafeet in a Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera back in 2007, and I’m willing to bet that one trip up and down won’t satiate you either.
Your weapon of choice? The snaking ascent up Jebel Hafeet is wide, smooth and offers great visibility, so you can make the most of a car with bags of grunt and ample grip. Something like a Ferrari 458 Speciale or Lamborghini Huracán should do nicely, but there’s fun to be had even in less-exalted machinery.
What else to do while you’re there
Strap in tight: Al Ain Raceway is arguably the finest karting facility in the UAE. It’s fully floodlit and has arrive-and-drive karts, as well as corporate entertainment and conference facilities.
Refresh yourself: At the base of Jebel Hafeet, Green Mubazzarah is a genuine oasis, with hot springs, lake, swimming pools and chalets. Worth a look – and a dip.
Go wild: Al Ain Zoo has more than 4,000 animals that roam in enclosures somewhat resembling their natural habitats. The zoo has also instituted conservation and breeding programmes, which is laudable.
Take a history lesson: Based in the palace of the founding president of the UAE, Al Ain Palace Museum provides a telling insight into the life that was once lived there by Sheikh Zayed and his family.
Settle in: There’s a wide selection of hotels in the area, including Hili Rayhaan by Rotana, Hilton Al Ain and Mercure Grand (at the top of Jebel Hafeet). They range in tariffs and services, so chances are you can find something to suit your tastes and budget.
motoring@thenational.ae
Company%20Profile
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TEAMS
US Team
Dustin Johnson, Jordan Spieth
Justin Thomas, Daniel Berger
Brooks Koepka, Rickie Fowler
Kevin Kisner, Patrick Reed
Matt Kuchar, Kevin Chappell
Charley Hoffman*, Phil Mickelson*
International Team
Hideki Matsuyama, Jason Day
Adam Scott, Louis Oosthuizen
Marc Leishman, Charl Schwartzel
Branden Grace, Si Woo Kim
Jhonattan Vegas, Adam Hadwin
Emiliano Grillo*, Anirban Lahiri*
* denotes captain's picks
KEY%20DATES%20IN%20AMAZON'S%20HISTORY
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The%20specs
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Director: Paul Weitz
Stars: Kevin Hart
3/5 stars
The specs
Engine: 3.8-litre, twin-turbo V8
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 582bhp
Torque: 730Nm
Price: Dh649,000
On sale: now
The%20specs
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Dengue%20fever%20symptoms
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F1 drivers' standings
1. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes 281
2. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari 247
3. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes 222
4. Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull 177
5. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari 138
6. Max Verstappen, Red Bull 93
7. Sergio Perez, Force India 86
8. Esteban Ocon, Force India 56
Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
Mobile phone packages comparison
Aayan%E2%80%99s%20records
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Company%20Profile
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BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE
Starring: Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenny Ortega
Director: Tim Burton
Rating: 3/5
Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
UAE Premiership
Results
Dubai Exiles 24-28 Jebel Ali Dragons
Abu Dhabi Harlequins 43-27 Dubai Hurricanes
Final
Abu Dhabi Harlequins v Jebel Ali Dragons, Friday, March 29, 5pm at The Sevens, Dubai
Kill%20
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Company%20profile
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The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol
Power: 154bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Transmission: 7-speed automatic with 8-speed sports option
Price: From Dh79,600
On sale: Now
DUNE%3A%20PART%20TWO
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Denis%20Villeneuve%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Timothee%20Chamalet%2C%20Zendaya%2C%20Austin%20Butler%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%205%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
THE SPECS
Engine: 4.4-litre V8
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 523hp
Torque: 750Nm
Price: Dh469,000
As You Were
Liam Gallagher
(Warner Bros)