Tel Moreeb rises more than 300 metres from the sands of Al Dhafra, its 50-degree incline making it one of the world's tallest sand dunes. Local drivers first tackled the slope in 2001, and the dune has hosted competitive motorsport ever since.
Every December and January, the Liwa International Festival's Moreeb Hill Climb comes to Tel Moreeb, bringing four-wheel drives, quad bikes and dirt bikes to compete on the dune, with a flat plain at its base reserved for competitors and spectators.
Outsi...
Location
Mahader Liwa - Al Dhafra
Plan your trip to Tel Moreeb
Here's everything you need to know before tackling the dune.
Things to do in Al Dhafra
Frequently asked questions about Tel Moreeb
How far is Tel Moreeb from Abu Dhabi city, and how do I get there?
Tel Moreeb sits around two and a half hours south of Abu Dhabi city, deep in the Al Dhafra region, with a straightforward, well-signed drive.
Is Tel Moreeb accessible year-round or only during the Liwa International Festival?
Tel Moreeb is accessible year-round via a paved road that runs to the dune's base. The Liwa International Festival adds the organised Moreeb Hill Climb competition and Liwa Village each December and January, but the dune itself isn't restricted to festival dates.
Can visitors climb Moreeb Dune outside of the festival period?
Yes. A paved road runs to the base of the dune, and visitors can climb it on foot year-round, independent of the festival. But be warned – the 50-degree slope makes for a genuinely strenuous climb, and many visitors stop partway.
What activities are available at Tel Moreeb for non-motorsport visitors?
Outside the festival, visitors can hike the dune on foot, take a quad bike or dune buggy up its slope, or book a guided 4x4 ride to the top.
The dune is also a popular photography spot, particularly at sunrise and sunset. During the Liwa International Festival, Tel Moreeb's base hosts Liwa Village, with a play park, petting zoo, craft souk, Ferris wheel, live concerts and nightly fireworks.