Copper Hike: at a glimpse
- Trip type: circular trip through two separate wadis and one open plateau.
- Distance: 7 km.
- Activities: boulder hopping in the wadis, no steep descents or ascents, one bit of scrambling, and short uphill and downhill sections on loose rocks.
Background: copper in Wadi Safarfir and Wadi Ghargur
The hike is situated in the southern part of Ras Al Khaimah. The Wadi Safarfir area is particularly known for its extensive copper winning activities during the Bronze Age (2nd millennium BC) and again during the early Islamic period (9th - 11th centuries).
You will walk through two wadis. One is Wadi Safarfir, also known as the Valley of the Coppersmiths, where a mineshaft can be found as well as greenish copper ore and remnants of the mining village. The other is Wadi Ghargur, similarly known for copper winning activities. Here you can see an open field with copper slag and remnants of houses and terraced fields.
Direction & coordinates
Open the Copper Hike start in Google Maps.
| Waypoint | Direction | Coordinates | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. On Sharjah Kalba road Exit Munay | Take right | N24 57.582, E056 08.757 | 267 m |
| 2. Roundabout Huwaylat | Take right | N24 53.125, E056 10.193 | 219 m |
| 3. Entrance to Wadi Safarfir | Take right | N24 52.766, E056 08.879 | 261 m |
| 4. Start Hike & Copper Mine Shaft | Take left | N24 52.969, E056 08.060 | 266 m |
| 5. Pass (Copper Summit) | Go down, take left | N24 52.532, E056 07.314 | 391 m |
| 6. On the Plateau | Take left | N24 52.405, E056 07.372 | 323 m |
| 7. Start Wadi Ghargur | Take left | N24 52.335, E056 07.814 | 342 m |
| 8. Slag Fields / End Hike | End | N24 52.850, E056 08.355 | 262 m |
Wadi Safarfir and the copper mine shaft
The hike starts in Wadi Safarfir. Before you take off, it is worth wandering around and exploring this spot. By climbing ancient stone steps that lead to the top of a small hill, you will be able to see a very old copper mine shaft. Everywhere around you, you can see remnants of houses, mining buildings, furnaces and terraced fields. The ancient stones of the walls are still lined up, but not for more than just a few layers.
When you move up into the wadi, the sharp-eyed will notice remnants of a falaj on the right-hand side: stones held in place by mud. This sort of water canal required regular maintenance by the community in bygone times. Unfortunately, this image of the past is now quickly degrading and disappearing; these beautiful irrigation canals are being replaced by black plastic tubes.
Copper Summit
After about half an hour, the wadi splits into two equal, smaller river beds: take right here and climb your way up to the pass. This part is a bit more difficult because of loose gravel. The views become more and more spectacular. Your short climb of about 45 minutes will be rewarded with great 360-degree views.
On the other side of this pass, you can see the lower wadi bed, trails and electrical pylons in the distance. Start the descent here; it is not long, but the loose rocky bits need careful attention.
The open plateau
You will arrive on an unshaded plateau that becomes wider and wider. Tracks and trails lead to almost any point of the compass, so do not get confused. Follow the coordinates accurately.
Wadi Ghargur
After about 30 minutes, you will enter the pleasant Wadi Ghargur. This wadi offers a variety of views, plants, trees and birds. You will notice that you are not the only one who likes this riverbed: dung of goats and donkeys is everywhere.
This is a relatively short wadi, but you will enjoy it because of its sheer beauty. Thankfully it is still very unspoiled and pure, probably because it is not an obvious or accessible picnic spot. Again, there are traces of human settlements—walls of dwellings and falaj—albeit very degraded.
It is mostly great boulder hopping: not difficult or extreme, and very amusing.
Slag fields and heritage respect
At the end of the hike, there is an open field with loads of copper slag—the residue after mineral was run off in the smelting procedure. Some particles are shiny black and have an even surface. Others look like funny-shaped bits of rock full of holes and with a coarse surface. If you look carefully, you may find copper slag that still has the shape of the round crucible.
Look, do not collect. These remains are part of a cultural landscape. Do not enter mine shafts, remove ore, slag, stones or artefacts, damage walls or disturb fields. Carry sufficient water, use offline navigation, avoid the hike in hot weather or rain, and leave the wadis exactly as you found them.
