Until the Khorfakkan Road reached it, Shees could only be reached by a track that climbed a seasonal wadi from the east coast, passing through the Omani exclave of Madha on the way. Today it is a paved drive of about 70 km along Khorfakkan Road from the Emirates Road exit, roughly 90 minutes from Dubai.
Shees (also spelled Shis) is a farming village in the Hajar Mountains, within Khorfakkan Municipality. A visit is really several stops along one road: a roadside rest area, an old village under restoration, a heritage museum, a landscaped park with a 25 m waterfall, and Wadi Shees with its short nature trail.
Entry to the park, the wadi and the trail is free, so the decision is which stops suit your group.
Shees village overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Hajar Mountains, Khorfakkan Municipality, Sharjah |
| Route | Emirates Road (E611), then Khorfakkan Road (S142), about 70 km |
| Drive from Dubai | About 90 minutes |
| Entry | Free at the park, the wadi and the nature trail |
| Shees Park hours | Daily, 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM |
| Parking | Free outside the park, 210 spaces at the Rest Area |
| Park size | More than 11,300 m² |
| Waterfall | 25 m, artificial |
| Nature trail | 1.8 km loop, 30 to 40 minutes |
| Falaj in the old village | About 3,000 years old |
| Best months | October to April |
The old village & its falaj
The old village covers about 6,595 m² and holds traditional houses, a zaroob, a mosque and the falaj channels that run beside the terraced farms.
The falaj irrigation system here is about 3,000 years old, and the settlement itself goes back to the pre-oil era. The houses are traditional mud-brick, linked by narrow pathways.
The village is under restoration work that replaces roofs with traditional designs, restores house walls and protects the falaj channels. Expect a walk past houses mid-restoration, not a finished heritage exhibit. For artefacts and context, the heritage museum is the better stop.
What to do in Shees
Shees Rest Area
The Shees Rest Area is the first stop on the road, just beyond the Al Raugh Tunnel on Khorfakkan Road and a few kilometres before the park. It works as the services hub for the whole area:
- Street food kiosks and cafés
- A fruit and vegetable market, where many vendors sell produce from their own farms
- Camping supplies and plant nurseries
- A 600 m² children’s play area and a shaded outdoor theatre that seats 80
- A mosque for about 300 worshippers, a petrol station and two bus stops
The site has 210 parking spaces, six of them reserved for people with disabilities. The Shees petrol station also has an ATM.
Shees Park
Shees Park is a landscaped mountain park of more than 11,300 m² built around a 25 m artificial waterfall. It opened in October 2020.
- Three terraced levels joined by stone stairways, leading to a main viewing platform about 30 m above the park
- 506 m of palm-lined paths
- A children’s play area and 32 shaded seating areas
- An outdoor theatre for 70 people
- A designated barbecue area and a Gerard Café for coffee and light refreshments
- Free drinking water
An expansion across about 38,755 m², roughly 290 m long, is adding more landscaped areas, shaded seating, play areas and barbecue and picnic space. The waterfall is man-made and swimming is not allowed, so the park suits walking, sitting and picnics rather than a dip.
Wadi Shees & the nature trail
The Wadi Shees Nature Trail is a 1.8 km loop that takes 30 to 40 minutes and suits all ages. It follows falaj channels carrying fresh water beside terraced farms, through shaded palm groves and past archaeological remnants.
At that length it is a stroll, so it will not satisfy anyone looking for a real climb.
The wider wadi is rocky, with cliffs, caves, areas holding fossil remains, and seasonal greenery and water pools after rain. Arabian gazelles, mountain goats and birds live there. Facilities in the wadi are limited, so bring water and food, and note that a four-wheel-drive may be needed for certain off-road areas.
Shees Heritage Museum & Library
The Shees Heritage Museum shows traditional artefacts, tools and exhibits that reflect Emirati life across generations. A modern library with material on local history and heritage has been added alongside it.
How to get to Shees
Driving is the practical way to reach Shees, and the whole route is paved highway:
- From Dubai or Sharjah, take Emirates Road (E611) to the Khorfakkan Road exit (S142).
- Stay on Khorfakkan Road for about 70 km. The road runs through the Al Raugh Tunnel, and the Shees Rest Area sits just beyond it.
- Take the ramp toward the Shees area.
- At the roundabout, go straight onto Masafi Road and continue to Shees Park.
From Dubai the drive takes about 90 minutes. A regular car is fine for the village and the park. Taxis and guided tours also serve the village.
Rules & safety
- Swimming in the park’s waterfall, stream or lake is not permitted.
- Pets are not allowed inside the park.
- Overnight camping inside the park is not permitted.
- Barbecuing is limited to the designated barbecue area.
- Wear shoes with grip for the stone stairways up to the viewing platform.
- Carry water and food into the wadi, where facilities are limited.
- A mobile police station stands next to the Rest Area.
Best time & planning your day
October to April is the best window, when the mountain air is cooler.
- For a short visit, pair the park with the nature trail. The trail alone takes 30 to 40 minutes.
- For half a day, add the old village and the heritage museum, and eat at the Rest Area.
- With young children, stay with the park and the Rest Area, which both have play areas. The wadi’s off-road areas suit older groups.
FAQ
Is Shees Village free to visit?
Yes. The park, the wadi and the nature trail have no entry fee, and parking outside the park is free.
Is Shees Park the same as Shees Village?
No. Shees Park is one stop within the village area, a landscaped park of more than 11,300 m² with the 25 m waterfall. The village area also includes the old village, the heritage museum, the Rest Area and Wadi Shees.
Can you swim at Shees Park?
No. Swimming in the waterfall, stream or lake is not permitted. The waterfall is artificial, and the park is built for walking, sitting and picnics.
Can you camp or barbecue at Shees Park?
Barbecuing is allowed in the designated barbecue area. Overnight camping inside the park is not permitted.
Do you need a 4×4 to visit Wadi Shees?
Not to reach the village and the park, which sit on paved highway. A four-wheel-drive may be needed for certain off-road areas of the wadi.
How long does the Wadi Shees nature trail take?
The 1.8 km loop takes 30 to 40 minutes and suits all ages.
When is the best time to visit Shees?
October to April, when the weather is cooler.
Before you set off
- Set your map to Shees Park and follow Emirates Road (E611) to the Khorfakkan Road exit.
- Stop at the Rest Area first for food or fuel.
- Walk the 1.8 km nature trail, then spend the rest of your time in the park or the old village.
- Khorfakkan Road continues to the coast, where Khorfakkan Beach is the natural second stop.
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