Hatta

What Hatta is like

Hatta sits high in the Hajar Mountains, south-east of Dubai’s main territory. It borders Oman to the east and south, the Ajman exclave of Masfout to the west and Ras Al Khaimah to the north. The area was Omani until it passed to Dubai around 1850, and the village was once known as Hajarain.

The landscape is very different from the coast: grey and red rock peaks, date palms, farms and blue reservoirs. Because of its altitude it is less humid than Dubai and noticeably colder in winter, although summer can still be extremely hot. Families from the city have come here for generations to escape the coast, and in 2016 Dubai announced a large programme to develop Hatta for tourism.

The old village has deep roots. Its Juma mosque, built in 1780, is the oldest building in Hatta, the fort dates from 1896 and the two watchtowers from the 1880s. Burial chambers from the Hafit period (3200 to 2500 BC) survive on the eastern side of the village. Hatta Dam was built in the 1990s for water and power, and DEWA is adding a 250 MW pumped-storage hydroelectric plant here.

What to see and do

• Hatta Dam and Hatta Kayak: paddle a single or double kayak, ride a water bike or take a family boat across the reservoir. Single kayaks are for adults aged 16 and over.
• Hatta Wadi Hub: the main activity centre, about 3 km from the Hatta Fort roundabout. Visit Dubai lists 52 km of colour-coded mountain bike trails, archery, axe-throwing, zorbing, a 12 m waterslide and an aerial adventure park with a giant swing and zipline. Most activities are for ages 6 and up, some for 16 and up, and are booked on site.
• Hatta Heritage Village: a restored mountain village with more than 30 buildings showing traditional homes, defences and farming life.
• Watchtowers and falaj: military towers from the 1880s overlook the village, one now used as the Hatta 360 viewpoint, and the old falaj water channel still runs behind the heritage village.
• Swan Lake: a bird pond near the heritage village with swan-shaped pedal boats for up to two adults and two children.
• Hatta Hill Park and Hatta Honey Bee Garden: a hilltop park with picnic areas and a lookout tower, and a centre where you can learn about beekeeping.

For guided adventure days and trips out of the city, browse our tours.

Getting there and around

Visit Hatta puts the drive at about 90 minutes from Dubai and from Dubai International Airport, with the E102 via the Sharjah-Kalba road usually the quickest. Without a car, the RTA Hatta Express bus H02 runs from Dubai Mall to Hatta main bus station in about 1.5 hours; the fare is AED 25, paid by nol card. From there, the H204 hop-on hop-off bus stops at the main attractions.

Where to eat

Hatta Wadi Hub has three food trucks on site. For a sit-down meal there are restaurants in Hatta village, about five minutes’ drive away; Visit Dubai lists Tanoor and Al Hajarain among Hatta's traditional restaurants and sites. Supermarkets in the village sell barbecue supplies, and barbecue huts can be rented at the Wadi Hub.

Practical tips

• Check the season before you go: most Wadi Hub activities run from October to early May.
• Activities close temporarily when it rains, although hiking, biking and kayaking may continue at your own risk.
• Hiking gear is not available to rent, so bring proper shoes, water and sun protection.
• Dogs are allowed at the Wadi Hub outside the venue, and in kayaks if they wear a life vest.
• Wi-Fi at the Wadi Hub is free but can be slow in the mountains.