5 reasons to hike Fossil Rock, Sharjah | United Arab Emirates

The Sports Explorer's guide to hiking Fossil Rock in the Emirate of Sharjah. A hike that provides unrivalled views of the rolling sand dunes across the UAE's desert landscape and a glimpse into ancient history.

-------------------
HI! I'm Tom Bushell, The Sports Explorer. If you liked this video I would love you to consider clicking the SUBSCRIBE button and follow my journey as I tell the story of the UAE through sport & adventure in a post lockdown world.

Other The Sports Explorer videos you may like:
HOW TO HIKE TO THE UAE'S HIGHEST PUBLIC POINT AT JEBEL JAIS:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nky5JCl9mIY&t=603s

THIS WADI SHEES TRAIL IS AN OASIS IN THE DESERT:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCQv_...

IS AL RABI MOUNTAIN THE BEST SUMMIT IN THE UAE?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VgIv1nUK9nc&t=342s

-----------------------
The Sports Explorer on social media, follow and join the community:
Website: https://www.thesportsexplorer.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamthesportsexplorer/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheSportsExp...

______________
Fossil Rock is a stunning location in the United Arab Emirates and a perfect desert based hike to do in the country.

Full of history, and thanks to the marine fossils that populate the rugged terrain this hike is a great way to understand the ancient past of the area. Once the sea bed but now a high point above endless desert dunes, the pure joy of witnessing the sun effortlessly set across the the Arabian Desert is a spectacular reason to make sure this hike is on your to do list.

In the above video, you can watch my 5 reasons to hike Fossil Rock.

1. Fossil Rock is within an hour's drive of Dubai.
You'll leave Dubai and drive towards Fossil Rock on the Sharjah/Kalba highway which is a perfect way to take in your upcoming hike as it appears on the horizon.

Parking is directly underneath Fossil Rock and can be reached on a gravel track. I sometimes park in the nearby village and walk across the sand dunes before making my way up the rock.

The parking location pin that I use: https://goo.gl/maps/PhynkgE1Qp79FzCF6

2. Fossil Rock is awash with marine fossils dating back 70 million years.
As the name suggests, Fossil Rock is a stunning window into the ancient history of this area of Sharjah when instead of being a desert, it was the sea bed.

Geological and tectonic shifts have meant the once sea bed now rises high above the surrounding desert presenting a unique opportunity to look closely at marine fossils that provide a glimpse into marine life from millions of years ago.

3. The significance of Fossil Rock and the surrounding area
Fossil Rock is a part of the Jebel Faya mountain range and it is within the caves in these mountains that artefacts have been found that point to the area being home to the very first anatomically modern humans travelling from Africa into the Arabian Peninsula and subsequently begin to populate the world 125,000+ years ago.

Tools found in these caves date back to the Iron and Bronze ages plus the Neolithic and Palaeolithic eras. Whilst no human bones have been found, archeological digs have discovered many objects that date back to these ages and demonstrate a strong community within the Mleiha area..

4. Mleiha Archeological Centre will provide you with guided hikes of Fossil Rock
Mleiha Archeological Centre is is a superb educational and adventure centre that tells the story of the long and important history of the area including providing guided hikes to Fossil Rock.

The centre is located not far from Fossil Rock and is home to a cafe perfect for lunch as well as a museum and brilliant displays of the findings from the archeological digs can be found at the Mleiha Archeological Centre.

The Mleiha guides are super informed and knowledgable and will be able to talk you through everything you need to know.

For more information on about Mleiha Archeological Centre: https://www.discovermleiha.ae/

5. The sunsets...
Being at the top of Fossil Rock, or any vantage point west facing, is a truly special place to witness a desert sunset. With Fossil Rock your seat for the show, the vast Arabian desert laid out in front of you and the sun's diminishing light creating a golden wonderland in front of you, this is not to be missed.

Thanks for watching and I hope you enjoy the video. Do comment below and press the like button if you like :)

Видео 5 reasons to hike Fossil Rock, Sharjah | United Arab Emirates канала The Sports Explorer