Jebel Hafeet

Jabal Ḥafeeṫ (Arabic: جبل حفيت‎) (variously translated Jabal, Jabel and Jebal) is a mountain primarily in the United Arab Emirates on the outskirts of Al Ain in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. The mountain actually straddles part of the border with Oman. The mountain rises 1,249 metres (4,098 ft) and offers an impressive view over the city. Jebel Hafeet was a well-known landmark throughout the area's history and is a contemporary tourist attraction. An extensive natural cave system winds through Jabal Hafeet.

Top of Jabal Hafeet.

At the foothills of Jabal Ḥafeeṫ lies the Green Mubazarrah, a well-developed tourist attraction. At the Green Mubazarrah, hot-water springs gush forth in little streams and form a lake. Swimming pools and jacuzzis are scattered all over the Green Mubazarrah. Jabal Ḥafeeṫ is also home to a wide range of animals including bats, foxes, and snakes.

It is often incorrectly labelled U.A.E.'s highest mountain (as it is certainly the most well-known); this honor actually belongs to an unnamed ca 1,910 m knoll just across the border from Jabal Bil Ays in Oman. Jabal Yibir is the U.A.E.'s highest named peak.

The Jabal Ḥafeeṫ Mountain Road extends for 7.3 mi (11.7 km) up the mountain, rising 4,000 ft (1,219 m). With 60 corners and three lanes (two climbing and one descending), the immaculate road was called the greatest driving road in the world by Edmunds.com. The road scales the mountain and ends at a parking lot with only a hotel and a palace belonging to the country's rulers. Part of the climax of the Bollywood film RACE was shot on the Jabel Hafeet mountain.

The road was built by Strabag International of Cologne, Germany.

Text courtesy: Wikipedia.org