A BRIDGE TO SOMEWHERE

Exploring Abu Dhabi’s very own ‘Action Island,’ one activity at a time

With a campsite, vast flat landscape, and state of the art sports facilities, Hudayriyat Island immediately seizes the imaginations of active enthusiasts, whether that activity is a battle across a hardy assault course, a knee-knocking high ropes quest, or an adrenalinepumping biking challenge. What’s On travels over the “bridge to nowhere” to get a lay of the land.

Seaside Courts

Besides the facilities at 321 Sports, you’ll also find a range of activities nearer the ocean. The Hudayriyat Courts welcomes visitors daily, from 8am to midnight, and features several beach football fields and beach volleyball courts.

Trail X

Opened at the end of last year, Trail X is Abu Dhabi’s first and only mountain bike circuit offering a hardcore 15km biking loop. Developed to international standards, Trail X is built on rough terrain to mimic mountain, desert and rocks with routes ranging in difficulty levels from green (beginners and casual riders) and blue (biking enthusiasts), to black (hard, high adrenaline riders).

The OCR Park features the largest permanent obstacle course site in the UAE. The obstacle course has eight different challenges, as well as eight fitness stations in between each obstacle. It also features a children’s track with six smaller obstacle challenges. Visitors can enroll in classes and boot camps with OCR Park’s onsite personal trainers and instructors who design personalised programmes for visitors of all ages.

Cycling Track

Hudayriyat offers up to 10km of cycling track loops for new and avid riders to make the most of. The network of tracks stretches through a recreational park, up and over waterways and along the edges of green spaces on the island.

Camping

Not every activity on Hudayriyat Island is predisposed to get the heart pumping. The island’s own private campsite, Bab al Nojoum (@babalnojoum_hudayriyat) is an attraction – and activity – in itself. There are an impressive 124 units of glamping accommodation to rent, including oceanfront tents, duplex tents and vintage campervans. Guests can revel in the alfresco life with barbecue and bonfire facilities, kayak and paddleboard hire, a beach cinema, kid’s playground, hammocks and assorted beach-based fun.

Velodrome

Back in 2021, Abu Dhabi was declared a ‘Bike City’ by Union Cyclist Internationale, the world governing body for cycling. In tandem with the award ceremony, Abu Dhabi announced a series of new measures and facilities to encourage more people to take up cycling, including a huge 3,500-seater velodrome to be built on Hudayriyat Island, to host international track cycling events.

Circuit X

Circuit X is home to four unique parks in one: BMX Park, Splash Park, High Ropes Park, and Skate Park. Splash Park features several exciting water-themed attractions, while Skate Park invites new and experienced skateboarders and scooter riders to navigate its many obstacles and get tips from onsite coaches. Meanwhile, BMX Park is home to a tricky pump track suitable for experienced and advanced riders only. Finally, at the High Ropes Park, visitors can test their nerve on two quad-quivering courses, complete with zipline and climbing wall.

321 Sports

The 321 Sports complex is Hudayriyat Island’s actionpacked sports village. You’ll find indoor and outdoor football pitches, basketball, badminton, tennis and padel courts, as well as a full-spec gym and group classes. Visit 321sports.ae to hire out a pitch or court. Meanwhile, a 750m jogging track surrounds the complex.