Khor Fakkan is a coastal town on the UAE’s east coast. The drive there is part of the appeal, with mountain scenery, tunnels, and high overpasses along the way. If you rent a car in Sharjah, you can follow the route through the Hajar Mountains on your own schedule. The journey ends beside the Gulf of Oman, where rocky landscapes give way to the beach. Our guide explains how to plan a Khor Fakkan road trip and enjoy the best mountain and coastal stops.
The road trip to Khor Fakkan usually starts from Sharjah and joins the Khor Fakkan Highway. From the desert plains, the road begins climbing into the mountains. The route passes through five major tunnels and crosses deep gorges on high bridges. This mountain section is one of the most scenic parts of the drive.
In the Hajar section, the road is wide and smooth. You pass below tall cliffs and see rugged rocky peaks on both sides. The highway includes sweeping curves and gentle slopes as you climb. Long viaducts cross empty valleys and give you wider views. On clear days, the panorama changes from close rock faces to green oases below. The well-maintained highway makes this steep mountain section straightforward for most drivers.
The Khor Fakkan tunnels shorten the route through the mountains and reduce reliance on older winding passes. Each tunnel passes through solid rock:
Al Sidra Tunnel, 2.7 kilometres, is the longest and runs beneath a high ridge.
Al Saqab Tunnel, 1.4 kilometres, cuts through another mountain spur.
Al Raugh Tunnel, 1.3 kilometres, comes shortly after Al Saqab.
Al Ghazeer Tunnel, 0.9 kilometres, provides a shorter passage through the rock.
Al Sahah Tunnel, 0.3 kilometres, is the shortest tunnel before the final descent.
The Sharjah to Khor Fakkan road is about roughly 115 kilometres and around 1 hour and 30 minutes without long stops.
After the last tunnel, you begin a steep descent towards the coast. You may soon spot the blue reservoir of Al Rafisah Dam in the valley. From there, the landscape opens into wider valleys with terraced farms and villages. Follow the bends carefully until you reach the flat coastal plain near Khor Fakkan. The sea then appears ahead as you join local roads into town.
These are some of the best places to stop in Khor Fakkan and along the approach from Sharjah. You can use them for short walks, picnics, and views during the drive.
The mountain road passes close to Wadi Shees, a green oasis near the highway. Shees Park has a 25-metre waterfall, walking trails, shaded picnic spots, and stone benches. Beyond the park, Wadi Shees has small farms and date palms. You will also find parking and a café here. This is a pleasant first stop if you want a break among the palms and mountain scenery.
Shortly before Khor Fakkan, you reach Al Rafisah Dam beside a turquoise reservoir. Rugged mountains rise around the water and create broad views across the valley. You can rent a kayak or small boat on the calm lake. A palm-lined walkway runs beside part of the shore. The visitor area also has parking, play areas, picnic spots, and places to eat. This stop gives you some of the best views before the coast.
As you enter town, stop at the Khor Fakkan Amphitheatre, a large Roman-style outdoor venue. It has seating for around 3,500 people and hosts cultural events. Next to it, a 45-metre waterfall runs down the cliff face. The waterfall and nearby rock are lit after dark. Both attractions face the sea, so you can walk towards the beach afterwards. It is a great stop between the mountain drive and the coast.
End your Khor Fakkan road trip beside the Gulf of Oman at Khor Fakkan Beach. The sandy promenade is about 3 kilometres long and runs beside the corniche. Tall palms, playgrounds, cafés, and shaded paths line the area. The clear water is suitable for swimming, kayaking, and other water sports. You can also try jet skiing when conditions are suitable. Behind you are the mountains, while the sea opens ahead.
Plan the drive carefully because services are limited in parts of the mountain section. Check your fuel, planned stops, and return time before you set out.
Downtown Sharjah is a practical starting point for this trip. Khor Fakkan is roughly 118 kilometres away, and driving time takes around 1 hour and 30 minutes. The highway is fully paved, so a standard sedan or compact car is suitable. An SUV gives you more luggage space if you are travelling with several people. Book a car rental at Sharjah with Final Rentals and choose from small, medium, SUV, and larger car types for your trip.
Drive downhill sections with care and use a low gear on steeper slopes. Engine braking can reduce extra heat on the brakes during long descents. Take each bend slowly and stay within the speed limit. Keep a safe following distance because trucks and slower traffic are common. Roads are flatter in town, but you may meet heavier traffic near the corniche. Watch carefully for pedestrians around busy coastal areas.
For the return, follow the same highway back towards Sharjah. Refuel in Khor Fakkan or Sharjah because there are few petrol stations on the mountain section. Check your return time for the rental before starting your journey back. Emirates Road near Sharjah can have heavier evening traffic, so plan around busy periods. Check current road conditions before departure, as weather or roadworks may affect the route.
A Khor Fakkan road trip works better when you plan stops in route order instead of chasing every attraction. Visit Wadi Shees first, then continue to Al Rafisah Dam before entering town. Save the beach and corniche for last, when you no longer need to backtrack.
Rent a car in Sharjah with Final Rentals to start your Khor Fakkan trip from Downtown Sharjah. You can choose from small, medium, SUV, and larger car types, with unlimited mileage on daily rentals. Book and manage your car rental at any time. Download the Final Rentals app on Google Play and the App Store.
From Downtown Sharjah, Khor Fakkan is 115 kilometres and around 1 hour and 30 minutes. Much of the route follows the Sharjah–Khor Fakkan Road, which crosses the Hajar Mountains through five tunnels. Your journey will take longer if you stop at Wadi Shees, Al Rafisah Dam, or mountain viewpoints along the way.
Yes. Many travellers rent a car in Sharjah before driving east. The road is fully paved, so a standard car or SUV works well. You can stop at Al Rafisah Dam or Shees Park before continuing to Khor Fakkan.
Key stops include Wadi Shees, Shees Park, Al Rafisah Dam, Khor Fakkan Amphitheatre, the waterfall, and Khor Fakkan Beach. They offer mountain scenery, picnic areas, short walks, and coastal time. Al Rafisah Dam and the beach are easy to add to the main route.
