Cycyling and hiking at Mushrif Park

Dubai's Closest Thing to a Forest — and It's Even Better After Rain

Mushrif Park is unlike anything else in Dubai. More than 70,000 ghaf trees make it dense enough to actually feel like a forest, and right behind the entrance — before the barrier, completely free — the hiking and cycling tracks begin. The mountain bike trails here are for ages 12 and above, but the paved cycling roads through the rest of the park are open to children of any age, and the brand new 1.5km Young Rangers Cycling Trail is designed specifically for under-12s with a BMX practice course alongside it. Outdoor cafes sit right next to the kids' track, which means you can watch them loop around for an hour while you actually sit down. Bikes can be rented on site from around AED 60 per hour, and park entry is AED 3 per person or AED 10 per car, paid by Nol card.

Insider tip: visit in spring after a few days of rain and the trails transform completely — wildflowers bloom through the ghaf forest in a way that genuinely stops you in your tracks.