Why you should visit Liwa and Tal Moreeb this winter – even if you’re not an off-roader

Dubai: Deep in Abu Dhabi’s Al Dhafra region, at the doorstep of the Empty Quarter in Liwa, there stands a gigantic wall of sand. This is no Game of Thrones or Mad Max set. It’s an ancient sand dune and a natural wonder, centuries in the making. 

Welcome to Tal Moreeb or the Moreeb Dune.

Every year, the UAE’s most powerful four-wheel drives, quad bikes and dirt bikes attempt to scale the face of Tal Moreeb (which translates to ‘Scary Hill’ in Arabic), in an exhilarating competition that draws crowds from all around the UAE and beyond. 

Since 2001, the dune has also been the backdrop to the annual Liwa International Festival, which brings together motorsport, falconry, horse and camel races, live music, cultural performances and family entertainment.

Why are off-roaders drawn to this breathtaking dune, and what else does the region offer for visitors? Read on and learn more.

Tal Moreeb: A history of adventure

At over 300m high, stretching over 1,600m, with a 50-degree slip face, Tal Moreeb is the largest sand dune in the UAE, and considered one of the largest dunes in the world. For perspective, its height roughly equals a 100-storey building, or three football fields stacked end-to-end.

Legend has it, when a group of young Emirati men encountered this gigantic wall of swirling sand in 2001, they challenged each other to summit the dune on their bikes and in their sports utility vehicles (SUVs). What began as a dare, became an annual motorsport competition and social experience. 

Recognising the growing cultural and geographical significance of Liwa, in 2004, the Abu Dhabi government built a paved road to Tal Moreeb, drawing more off-roaders and visitors.

But that’s not all that’s going on at this majestic site. At the base of the dune, every year since 2001, the Liwa desert has hosted a local competition and annual winter festival celebrating Emirati heritage, motorsports and desert adventure. Over the years, the festival has gained attention from around the region, and today, it has become a prominent feature on the UAE’s social calendar: the Liwa International Festival. 

In 2026, Tal Moreeb, Liwa Village at its base, and the Liwa International Festival attracted more than 700,000 visitors, marking the area’s significance as a hub for drag races, dune bashing, culture and tourism.

Thrills and chills

For decades, off-roading enthusiasts have been attempting to scale the staggering face of the Tal Moreeb and surrounding dunes.

Wael Joumaa, a Lebanese entrepreneur, who has lived in Dubai for 14 years, first saw Tal Moreeb in 2014, and still remembers being amazed by the sheer size of it. 

He said: “Moreeb has this presence. You look up at it and realise just how small you are compared to the desert. At the same time, if you love off-roading, you can’t look at a dune like Moreeb without thinking, ‘Can I make it up there?’ There’s a mix of respect, excitement and curiosity. You know the desert deserves to be taken seriously, but that challenge is also part of what makes it so exciting.”

Since his first trip there, Joumaa, who is a self-confessed motorsport enthusiast, has attempted to scale Tal Moreeb with different vehicles over the years, including his Jeep Wrangler 392. He said: “It’s not only about having a powerful car or proving something. There’s the challenge of understanding your vehicle, reading the sand, choosing your line and knowing when to push and when not to. Reaching the top gives you a real sense of achievement.” 

The appreciation of heritage, history, and community surrounding the dunes also makes the experience special, in his eyes. Joumaa said: “People around the world know the UAE for its cities, architecture and how quickly the country has developed. But when you drive out to Liwa and see that landscape, you connect with something much deeper. The desert is a huge part of the history and identity of this country, and I think it’s important that people get the chance to experience that.” He added that there is a strong community around dune bashing at Tal Moreeb – people who share the same passion for cars, desert, and adventure – and it’s another reason why so many off-roaders congregate there every year.

Mohamad El Lakis, a Lebanese general manager, who has lived in the UAE for 10 years, first visited Moreeb Dune in December 2024 – but one visit was not enough. He was back again in less than a fortnight.

He said: “The first trip was mainly for camping and enjoying Liwa, but once I saw the dunes and the scale of the terrain, I knew immediately that I needed to return and experience it properly from behind the steering wheel.”

El Lakis has seen Liwa flourish into a landmark destination, first for off-roaders, and then for tourists from around the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

He said: “Among off-roaders, I joke that you cannot call yourself a senior off-roader until you have ticked Liwa off your list. Every major climb gives you an adrenaline rush. At the same time, Liwa demands respect. It tests your driving skills, your ability to read the terrain, your vehicle preparation and your decision-making. There is also a competitive side to it.”

Desert, dunes, and festivals

Over the years, however, the area has become about something more significant than motorsports. 

The Liwa International Festival is putting the spotlight on Emirati heritage, food and culture, and blending it with the sporting community’s love for adventure – all within the majestic landscape of desert dunes.

El Lakis says it’s a special place for the off-roading community, with people coming from far and wide: “When you are there, you constantly see vehicles coming from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and across the GCC. People travel huge distances specifically to experience Liwa. That gives the festival a very special atmosphere. You arrive as separate groups, but after some time you feel like part of one large off-roading and desert community. Emiratis you have never met before may invite you to their camp or farm, people help each other when someone gets stuck or has a mechanical problem, and conversations continue around the camps until very late at night.”

Even if you’re not a fan of high-octane thrills, the Liwa International Festival has plenty to offer, from a family zone with activities for children aged 1 to 12, to a Ferris wheel for those who want to enjoy spectacular desert views. There are also souks, daily cultural performances, petting zoos, ziplines, carnival rides and desert mazes. If you’re planning to visit on New Year’s Eve, you can even catch drone shows and fireworks.

For El Lakis, visiting Liwa is an opportunity to immerse yourself in both the new and the ancient – and both capture the true spirit of the country. He explained: “Liwa shows visitors something very authentic about the UAE: the connection to the desert, the hospitality of its people, the passion for cars and competition, and a constant appetite for adventure.”

This year, Liwa International Festival will take place from December 11, 2026, to January 3, 2027, in Al Dhafra, Abu Dhabi.

Admission to the Liwa Village and festival grounds is free, but tickets may be required for concerts, events and experiences. Visit the official website to purchase tickets once registration opens: liwainternationalfestival.ae.