DESERT ROAD

Beyond the glitz of Abu Dhabi and Dubai, Karthika Gupta discovers the outdoorsy side of the United Arab Emirates.

- Karthika Gupta

THE WORLD'S LONGEST zipline ride lasts just three minutes. But in that heart-pumping span of time, riders traverse some 9,290 feet, soaring at speeds of up to 99 miles per hour. The setting is not a lush canopy of trees or a deep-blue lake, but the reddish-brown canyons of the Hajar Mountains, the highest range in the United Arab Emirates.

Thrills like this aren't typically front of mind when planning a trip to the U.A.E. But in the mountainous emirate of Ras al-Khaimah, in the country's northeast, the ever-expanding cityscapes of Abu Dhabi and Dubai feel worlds away.

The Hajars, which stretch from Ras al-Khaimah into neighboring Oman, were formed 70 million years ago by the convergence of the Arabian and Eurasian continental plates. The area's rough terrain, sparse tree cover, high temperatures, and lack of water make it a challenging environment for hikers and climbers. But at Jebel Jais-a popular adventure park named for the Hajars' highest peak, which reaches 6,345 feet-you can choose a softer entry into the region.