Rafisah Dam & Najd al Maqsar historical Village Khorfakkan Sharjah

New (weekend) day, new trip outdoors! Today we went to Rafisah Dam in Sharjah. It is about 130 kilometers away from our home in Dubai, about 1 hour and 20 minutes drive. The drive to this part of the United Arab Emirates, is always a joy, because the landscape is changing into red dunes and rocky, jagged mountains. Along the way, we saw lots of cars with fruit 'trunk sales'. Most of them are people from India or Pakistan, who are trying to earn some money in the UAE. 

Emirati breakfast

When we arrived at the Rafisah Dam Visitor's Parking, we all were very hungry, so we decided to start our hiking trip with a good, traditional Emirati breakfast, consisting of (among other things) chabab bread (Emirati pancake), balaleet with omelet, baidh tomato, salad, falafel balls and baked beans. Yummy! The restaurant (Rafisa Lounge Restaurant & Cafe) is situated at the lake, Hawd al Bid 'ah, which gives you a lovely view. 

Al Rafisah Dam Walk to Najd Al Maqsar Village

With our bellies full, we crossed the dam for the Al Rafisah Dam Walk (it is called "The Walk"), which ends at a viewing platform in Najd Al Maqsar historical Village. This is one of the most important ancient human communities in Wadi Washi within the historical city of Khorfakkan. The village is reconstructed and restored for tourism goals, there aren't people living here anymore. The village consists of 13 old houses (approx. 100 old), but they even found rocks engraved with drawings of camels and horses dating back to 2000 years BC in this area. There is also historical evidence of the exodus of many people from Khorfakkan to Wadi Shai, especially Najd Al Maqsar settlement, during the Medieval Period, at the time of the Portuguese colonization of the region to seek shelter in its impenetrable mountains. 

Najd Al Maqsar historical fort 

The viewing platform gives you a view over the valley to Khorfakkan Beach. In the valley we could see farms, the city Khorfakkan and the mosque. Beautiful. At this viewing point you can walk up to the castle / fort that was established nearly 300 years ago on the summit of the mountain, which was part of the defense network of Khorfakkan (it is still under reconstruction). The walk up to this point is beautiful with several views over different valleys. Along the road, we collected some nice granite stones (hobby of Dinand). After reaching the castle and having a look here, we went back to the lower situated viewing point, and walked back to the dam and to our car. As it was 2pm, we decided to go for another nice spot to complete our hiking day. We went to Wadi Shees, which was about 20 minutes driving from that point (another page on this web blog).