So, you’ve decided to go internationally with your mountain biking endeavors. There is no better way to explore the amazing scenery and locations of the world than by biking through them. This part of the world, notably North Africa and the Middle East, is filled with so many amazing natural biking areas like mountains, deserts, oases, valleys, paths, and so many more. Africa and the Middle East are insanely popular for their abundance of mountains, hills, and generally anything steep. With mountains and hills come amazing mountain biking trails you can cover with the entire family.
Think about it, wouldn’t you prefer actually moving through whatever country you’re visiting and exploring it in detail rather than just observing from afar or having someone tell you what you’re about to see? By mountain biking through these historical and cultural locations in Africa and the Middle East, you get to go deep into the hearts of the cities, ruins, and natural destinations and meet some fellow bikers! We have outlined some African and Middle Eastern countries and the best trails and mountain biking experiences you can have there!
Egypt
Few countries like Egypt will pop into mind when you think of historical cultures, ancient locations, tourism, and just getting to explore so much. Egypt has one of the oldest civilizations in existence. Not only that, but it has some remarkably beautiful landmarks and natural locations you can visit and bike through. Imagine mountain biking with your spouse and kids around a 5000-year-old temple or along a path where legends and pharaohs once roamed.
Mountain biking trails are available both in the capital Cairo and mainly around the cities, in the trails along the deserts and mountains. Egypt has a whole mountain range up its pocket, too! The southeastern region of Egypt is perhaps the most popular for biking, as it has so many beautiful trails. Let’s check out some popular areas and trails there:
1-Wadi Degla
Wadi Degla is a protectorate and canyon in the southwest suburb of Cairo. It’s a massive empty area filled with sand, hills, and all that your heart desires for mountain biking. The canyon has several trails for mountain biking, the most famous of which is “The Final Descent”. Come on, that name is beyond awesome. The Final Descent measures over 690 meters (0.42 miles) in distance, with a 36-meter (118 foot) climb.
The Final Descent is moderate in its difficulty, so you can hit high speeds without any issues. The area itself is also very wide, so you can bike with your family on the same track without worrying about someone lagging behind. Even dogs are allowed there!
Now, if you want something more challenging, you can try “The Long Loop,” which covers a distance of 20 kilometers (12.4 miles) with a climb of 350 meters (0.21). Other trails there include The Main Trail, The Jeep Trail, and others.
2-Ras Shitan
Ras Shitan is located in Nuweiba in South Sinai, just by the red sea. It’s an absolute marvel with so many natural views of desert roads, mountains, and the sea. It’s famous for the local simple Bedouin tribes, so you and your family can experience the culture there completely disconnected from technology and the worries of modern life. The most famous trail in Ras Shitan is Ras Abu Gallum. It is a massive singletrack trail covering 53 kilometers (almost 40 miles) with a climb of over 1100 meters (0.68 miles). You can use this trail downhill mostly, and even though it’s quite long, it’s not very difficult, so you and the entire family can enjoy it.
A much simpler and shorter trail also in Ras Shitan is the Coloured Canyon, which only covers a breezy 18 kilometers (11 miles) but with a bit of a climb of 471 meters (0.29 miles). Ras Shitan has a ton of other trails you can also go for, and it’s guaranteed that you will get the spirit of Egypt and its culture there.
Dubai
Now that you’ve taken in Egypt’s historical and ancient vibes, you and your family can experience the astounding modernity and achievements of one of the world’s most futuristic cities: Dubai. Dubai just outdoes itself with every single thing they build or create, and of course, they’ve kept mountain bikers in mind. Dubai may not have many culturally rich locations, but it makes up for them with its incredibly fun new locations. Some of Dubai’s most popular trails are:
1-Hatta Bike Trails
The Hatta Mountain Bike Trails may just be Dubai’s most popular and most impressive bike trails, with over 50 kilometers (31 miles) you can cover in a single track out of many. Located in the Hatta Valley, the trails are actually quite recent, so you get to bike on brand new ones meant to give you the best experience possible. The Hatta bike trails will take you through a bunch of beautiful natural sites, like the mountains there, and you can see the national park.
The Hatta valley doesn’t just have one trail but several routes ranging from beginner to advanced, so you’ll never get bored with your family there if you want to kick things into high gear. Some tracks are even free, so that’s always a plus.
2-The Mushrif National Park Trails
There is more and more modernity coming from the land of Dubai. The Mushrif National Park, only 10 kilometers (6 miles) from the Dubai International Airport, gives you plenty of trails to play with beautiful views of luscious trees. The Mushrif National Park Trail is actually part of a recent developmental plan that Dubai has to further its advancement and encourage sports. The track has several trials, color-coded with three main difficulties: Green (beginner), blue (intermediate), and red (advanced).
Just like the Hatta Bike Trails, you’re looking at around 50 kilometers (31 miles) of trails. The most notable part of the park is the magnificent trees there. There are around 70,000 of them of different species!
Jordan
Jordan is another powerhouse of culture and historical impact that you can witness with your own eyes while mountain biking. Jordan has a ton of sand and mountain areas that could keep you and your family on your bikes for days on end just to discover all the amazing places the country has to offer.
Want to mountain bike with the giants? You can literally mountain bike around the ancient city of Petra, which is thought to have been built for or inhabited by humans far bigger than we are now, with its massive structures and gates. Here are some of Jordan’s finest bike trails:
1-The Shobak Castle To Petra Ride
Time to ride with the giants and in style. You can take the most epic and historical of rides starting from Shobak Castle, which was built on top of a mountain by the crusaders in 1115. This trail starts from the ruins of this castle outside the city of Shobak all the way in the desert to the archaeological site of Petra.
Along the bike ride north, you will find marvelous views of mountains connecting the castle to Petra. You will also see several other towns and valleys on the way. The trail is around 50 kilometers, so you’re guaranteed to spend a good amount of time on your bikes. Make sure you pack a ton of snacks and water for the way, even if you make several stops and rest. This is perhaps the grandest bike ride you can get in the middle east, and it may just be our no. 1 recommendation.
2-The Amman To Nebo Ride
Another very popular and very fun ride is from the capital city of Amman to Mount Nebo, which is actually a Biblical location where Moses saw the Promised Land. Of course, if you’re riding to a mountain, then you can expect quite a fun climb.
Because of this, you get a nice elevation of 281 meters (925 feet). You’re sure going to see some more beautiful sights along the way and even spend time with the local Bedouin tribes in their camps. The distance is the average 55 kilometers (34 miles). Overall, Jordan is a great idea for a family biking trip, but unlike Dubai, its best trails and experiences are outside the cities themselves and into the unknown.
Morocco
Morocco is another major Middle Eastern country with many mountains, desert roads, and breathtaking elevated views that will impress your family. Morocco is always famous for how well its roads, even dirt ones, are maintained, so it becomes convenient when mountain biking there. The weather is another major plus, so you can easily breeze through these trails.
The deserts and landscapes of Morocco are also culture-heavy, even if there aren’t many ruins or landmarks like Egypt or Jordan. The people there are just a delight to experience, and the tea is just everywhere! Here are the top Moroccan bike trails:
1-The Small Trails
Morocco has many small mountain biking trails that are less than 5 km (3 miles) long. Many of them are near Casablanca. A number of them are doubletracked, with some sharp climbs and sharp descents. Some of these small trails include Sanhok, The Pig Ride, Wall Side, and XC Ride.
2-The Sharp Rock Trail
This trail is located in Marrakech, with a short distance of 9.8 km (6 miles). However, don’t let that fool you, as it’s actually quite a challenging trail. It’s mainly a downhill trail filled with sharp rocks, a ride in a forest, a rock garden, and back on the road. All of this creates quite an adventurous trail, but because it’s challenging, you should only take your family there once you’ve all become pretty good at mountain biking. This isn’t your beginner’s trail.
Why Africa and The Middle East Are Worth The Trip
Africa and the Middle East are expanding their tourism sector day by day. The future of traveling and family trips, in general, is there for a bunch of reasons:
- It’s Affordable: If you think going on a journey across Europe may be a bit out of budget, then the Middle East is a great option. The Middle East is affordable, depending on the country itself, but some countries like Egypt and Lebanon can dazzle you with the services they offer at such a low price.
- The Cultures: Notice it’s not culture, but cultures plural. A trip to the Middle East and Africa will have you experience many different cultures that feel quite connected. Each country will have its own rich history and identity while still being connected enough through the Arabic language and the prevalent Islamic culture.
- The Scenery: Africa and The Middle East have not one but two big seas (The Mediterranean and the red sea). These seas come with beautiful beaches and activities. A good example of this is the Sinai Peninsula, which is famous for its snorkeling, diving, and coral reefs. Each country will have its own spectacular view, many of which are mountains. You can even see an oasis or two!
- The Food: You can’t visit a country and not be excited about the food. Middle Eastern and North African food will blow your socks off. From the authentic Shawarma of the Levant countries to the various meat dishes of Morocco to lamb cooked underground in the desert, you will have no shortage of diverse flavors to try, and if you have a sweet tooth, there are no sweeter and denser desserts than those of the Arabs.
Takeaway
Overall, Africa and the Middle East are fantastic mountain biking regions for your family. We recommend Egypt, Dubai, Jordan, and Morocco. Plenty of diverse trails with varying difficulties will take you through deserts, mountains, forests, parks, and even ancient ruins. The biking trip will introduce you to other perks of tourism in these regions, and you will have the experience of a lifetime and see just how much the world can be different on the other side of the globe.