Lying to the east of Deira, Mushrif National Park (dubaipublicparks.ae; Dhs3) is Dubai’s grandfather of outdoor spaces and the place to go for nature. First opened in 1974, this national park is rich with indigenous flora and fauna, including a 35,000-sq-meter protected forest of ghaf trees. Birders should bring their binoculars and keep a look out for Arabian babblers, yellow-throated sparrows and the rare pallid scops owl.
This sprawling green space has picnic and BBQ facilities, two swimming pools, basketball, volleyball and tennis courts and a jogging track. It’s also home to a newly opened hiking trail where active travelers can enjoy 10km of marked trails, all of which are free to use, open year-round and suitable for everyone from beginners to seasoned hikers. Lace up your walking boots and hit the ground to trek over the park’s sandy, sloped terrain. The new trail is dotted with public restrooms, sculptures and bridges.
An afternoon in the saddle is also on offer here at Winners Equestrian Club, best visited during the winter months for desert and forest hacks or even riding lessons. One of the more quirky attractions at Mushrif is World Village, a collection of model traditional houses from around the globe. Adrenaline-seekers can get their fix at Aventura Parks, a high-ropes course with zip lines, net drops and obstacles.
There are also a couple of acceptable, if basic, restaurants and cafes. Mushrif is around 15km east of the city center. The easiest route is via metro to Rashidiya and then a 20-minute taxi ride to the park.
