This Hidden Sulphur Pool in Fujairah Vanishes With the Seasons

In the eastern mountains of Fujairah, just a short drive from the village of Dahir, a narrow wadi carves through pale limestone and granite, hiding a cluster of small basins that locals and hikers call Wadi Ajali's sulphur pool.

Rising roughly 356 metres above sea level, this quiet corner of the Hajar Mountains feels worlds away from the coastal crowds. Here, the water carries a faint scent of sulphur, a natural result of the region’s geothermal activity, and when sunlight strikes it just right, it glows a striking blue-green against the stone.

The basins are shallow—ranging from knee to waist height—but their mineral-rich waters are said to have therapeutic properties for the skin.

Getting there is part of the adventure. The trail starts on open ground before dropping into the wadi floor, where hikers scramble over rocks smoothed by centuries of water runoff. The path is not officially maintained, and there are no facilities, so sturdy shoes, water, and a sense of curiosity are essential.

The route isn’t long—five to eight kilometers depending on the path—but progress can be slow, with stretches that demand the use of both hands and feet. The crunch of loose gravel underfoot, the cool walls of the gorge, and the occasional shade of acacia and ghaf trees make the transition from road to wadi immediate and immersive.

The pool itself is never quite the same twice. In winter and after rainfall, the basins fill and the color deepens, inviting visitors to wade in or rest along the banks. By summer, water levels drop dramatically, sometimes leaving only mineral-rich mud and faint outlines of the pools. Hikers often share videos online, marveling at how dramatically the scene changes with the seasons.

Some arrive in guided groups, but many make the journey solo, following GPS tracks left by earlier explorers. Despite its modest scale, the sulphur pool is a memorable stop: a quiet corner of the mountains where nature’s subtle forces—geology, water, and light—combine to create a fleeting, almost otherworldly experience, just a short drive from the coast.