Seven Summits Trail Fujairah and Fort Fujairah

February 2021

We hiked the Seven Summits Trail in Fujairah, a short but scenic 1.9-km route that begins at Big Flag Park Fujairah. At the top of each summit stands a miniature fort, each symbolizing one of the seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates. It’s a playful and symbolic trail—short, but packed with great views, photo spots, and a touch of Emirati identity. It is a wonderful hike with younger kids. 

Seven Summits and seven forts

After a drive of about one and a half hours, we arrived at Big Flag Park in Fujairah, where we parked the car. From here, the Seven Summits hike begins, starting with a steep pathway that leads up to the first small fort and the beginning of the trail. 

The path quickly take you above the park, offering the first glimpse of the short but playful route that connects the seven hilltop forts. The first fort represents the emirate of Abu Dhabi, the largest emirate and also the first to join the federation in Formation of the UAE in 1971.

From here, we could already see the second fort in the distance, representing Sharjah.

The third fort is representing the Emirate of Dubai. It has a round shape for practical and defensive reasons rooted in traditional fort design.

The fourth fort represents Ajman. It symbolizes Ajman as one of the seven emirates that together form the United Arab Emirates, which became a federation in Formation of the United Arab Emirates in 1971.

Ajman is the smallest of the seven emirates, but it plays an important role as part of the country’s shared history and unity, which is why it is represented by one of the forts along the trail. 

The fifth fort on the Seven Summits Trail is the Umm Al Quwain Fort, which is square in shape. It stands out with its simple, angular design along the ridge.

The sixth fort on the Seven Summits Trail is the Ras Al Khaimah Fort, which is square in shape. It is notable for its classic angular design, similar to the earlier square forts.

The seventh fort on the Seven Summits Trail is the Fujairah Fort, which is rectangular in shape. It marks the end of the trail and is slightly larger and longer than some of the other forts, making it easily recognizable from a distance.

The hike felt like the perfect way to ease into the day: not too demanding, but just enough to get the legs moving and enjoy the fresh morning air. 

From the small hilltops, we could take in views of the surrounding landscape and the towering flagpole nearby, which adds a dramatic backdrop to the park.

Despite its modest distance, the trail offers a fun little challenge as it leads hikers up and down seven small summits. 

After finishing this fun hike, we headed into the city for an early lunch. It was the perfect way to cool down, recharge, and get ready for the next part of this family day out. 

Driving to Fujairah

Fort Fujairah

After lunch, we drove to Fujairah Fort, located in the heart of the city and dating back to the 16th century (1500–1550). It’s one of the oldest and largest forts in the country. Although we couldn’t go inside, we explored the exterior, snapped some photos, and admired its impressive structure. The fort also serves as a unique venue for events. Our final stop for the day was Wadi Shawka.