I was down in Madinat Zayed last week for a meeting and on the way there I noticed some very nice driving areas that looked very inviting.

I am talking about the area on the left of the road that leads from E 11 to Madinat Zayed, the turn off just after the ADNOC.

I was wondering if anyone would be interested in going out there and driving around a bit. Has anyone tried this area out, how is the terrain ?

What I had in mind is to fill up at the ADNOC then take off towards Madinat Zayed. After five to six Km on this road the desert will be seen on both sides. We then get off the road on the left, drive around and continue in the general direct of the Hameem Road which is roughly parallel to this road.

We could come out on the Hameem Road, fill up at the gas pump by the car museum and head back home.

The drive to get to this start would be an hour or so as the distance is around 85 KM.

The offroad portion between these two roads could be sround 35 to 40 KM max.The trip would have to leave Abu Dhabi at 10. 00 AM and we could head back around 6.00 PM

If the club elders agree I would like to post this as a Offroaders Trip maybe for next weekend ?

when are u planing to do this ?

I would like to do it next weekend on 26 Feb provided I get the go ahead from the marshals to post this as a trip.

I have been in the general area you are talking about, if you stay on the Hameem side of the museum you will be ok because you will be getting close Dafrah airbase and shooting range (found out the hard way ask Avan) from memory there are some nice dunes but also a lot of flat stuff and farms. Its been about a year since I have been there so who knows now

If you want to explore it is ok by me just be careful

The Hameem side would be opposite to the museum right ? I think the defence area is behind the museum ?

Can I post it as a trip and if so at what level ?

Yes thats right its behind the museum where you are going I think there is also earth works on your side they are removing the dunes so be very careful.

I have no opposition to the trip but it must be at least offroader level if not senior you do not need inexperience on an exploration trip. so go ahead and post your trip your choice of the 2 levels and limit the number of cars, you will also need at least 2 Marshals. I think I am not busy next weekend but I will confirm with you later

Oh they are moving the dunes ? Where arethey moving them to ?

I will wait for some more comments from other marshals before I post this.

From the car museum going towards Hameem, the dunes start from a height of 50 ft and gradually increase in height towards Hameem and they reach to more than 400 ft near Hameem where the real fun begins. By that time, you will be in Liwa, totally beat up.

Besides, there are oil installations there

I am talking about the area to your right on your way to Hameem after the Car Museum.

It's either you start from Hameem, (now that is Liwa:eek or look for another area to explore.:rolleyes:

If I were to compare, you would have more fun in Al Khatm:rolleyes: or else behind the Car Museum, there is a small area with very very soft sand

After studying Wasif's description from what I understand he is looking at the area between E45 and E65 10 or so km's south of E11. I have attached a Google Earth image of the area (it is also in the gallery), its not the best but I labeled as much as I could to clarify the area I think he is referring to. I have only been in the area around the geocache and it is soft and areas have sedimentary rock croppings but I know of a few people who have gone solo through there. There is a paved tarmac that makes a U-shape from Sahil to Abu Al Abyad and has a kicker to Madinat Zayed in the southwestern corner. There are a couple new high tension power lines cutting the area too. Not sure how much of the area is officially part of the Rumaitha Field but think if you stay on the southern side you should avoid the gas/oil wells and pipelines. Depending on the timing I would be interested in this idea.


Last I was there I was not experienced with sandy desert driving and did a 10km hike to the geocache. The lovely Bedouin cruised by me like nothing - they are masters of the sand - and offered me each and every kind of assistance.

Hope the link works.

Wasif lets do this somewhere next month after my vaccation... me very interested