Top Things to Do At Hatta Mountain Tour

Things to Do at Hatta Dam: A Guide for Travelers to Dubai

You can get to a whole new universe in just 90 minutes from Dubai`s bright, modern city. The skyscrapers and humid air by the sea are gone. Instead, there are the rocky peaks of the Hajar Mountains, clean, fresh air and a beautiful turquoise lake. Hatta is Dubai`s mountain exclave and the beautiful Hatta Dam is the main attraction.

This huge dam was built in the 1990s and has evolved from a small reservoir to a top spot for adventure, relaxation and culture. You can kayak on a calm lake in the morning and zip line over a wadi in the afternoon. It is a getaway that has both beautiful nature and fun things to do.

Hatta Dam is a must see part of the UAE experience, whether you are a family looking for a fun day out, an adrenaline junkie looking for your next thrill or just someone who wants to get away from the city. This guide will teach you all you need to know to plan the perfect trip.

The beautiful trip to Hatta

The trip to Hatta is an adventure in and of itself. As you leave Dubai, the flat desert turns into rolling red dunes and finally the Hajar Mountains, which are very tall and rugged. There are three main routes to get there:

The best way to get there is by car. The trip from Dubai to Hatta Dam is around 135–140 kilometers and takes about 90 minutes. The Sharjah Kalba Road (E102) and the Dubai Hatta Road (E44) are the most common ways to get about. Both are beautiful and well kept. A car gives you the most freedom to view Hatta`s many attractions, which are spread apart. There are a lot of free places to park near the dam and other important sights.

The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in Dubai runs the H02 Express Bus, which goes straight from the Dubai Mall bus stop to Hatta. The trip costs AED 25 per person and takes about 90 minutes to two hours. You can pay with your Nol card.

Getting around: The RTA also runs the H204 "Hop On, Hop Off" bus in Hatta. This bus is great for tourists because it connects the main attractions, such as the Hatta Bus Station, Hatta Wadi Hub, Hatta Dam and Hatta Heritage Village. It is easy to go around without a car.

A regular Dubai cab or a ride hailing service like Uber or Careem can take you to Hatta, but it is the most expensive option and it may cost you a few hundred dirhams each.

When should you go to Hatta?

You should plan your trip to Hatta carefully.

Peak Season (October to April): This is the best time to go. The weather is nice and cool, which is great for all outdoor activities like hiking and kayaking. All of Hatta`s attractions, such as the Hatta Wadi Hub, are now fully open and working.

The off season runs from May to September. Hatta`s summers are very hot. The main Hatta Wadi Hub closes during this time, which is usually from mid May to the end of September. However, Hatta Dam and Hatta Kayak remain open all year. If you travel in the summer, try to go early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid the hot sun in the middle of the day.

The main event is the Hatta Dam and the water activities.

The dam is the main thing you will be doing throughout your vacation. The first view from the top of the dam is amazing: a huge body of calm, blue water kept in place by a tall concrete wall that perfectly reflects the harsh brown terrain around it.

You don`t have to pay to see the dam, walk along its edge or take pictures. The best way to see it is from the water.

Hatta Kayak

This is the dam`s only official rental business and they have a lot of different types of boats to choose from. You can`t swim in the dam or bring your own gear.

Hatta Kayak has different hours during the week and is open all day on weekends.

From Monday to Thursday, the hours are 7:00 AM to 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM.

Friday through Sunday, from 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM

Pricing and Activities:

• The price of a single kayak is AED 60.
• AED 120 for a double kayak (2 adults).
• The price of a single water bike is AED 60.
• AED 120 for a double water bike.
• AED 180 for a triple water bike.
• Yellow Boat (Family): AED 150 for one hour
• Donut Boat (Group): AED 300 for one hour

It feels quiet and a little magical to paddle out to the center of the lake. The water is calm, the air is still and the views of the mountains are stunning. You can paddle into quiet coves and get near to the beautiful dam wall. People of all ages should do this activity.

Hatta Wadi Hub: The Adrenaline Hub.

Hatta Wadi Hub, the center of adventure, is just a short drive from the dam. This outdoor activity park is open from October to May and is meant to get your heart pounding. You can buy passes for a better value or pay for activities one at a time.

Hours: The hub is usually open from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM throughout the operational season.

Main Tasks:

• Ziplines: You may fly through the air on a number of ziplines, including a 350 meter long twin zipline where you can race a friend.
• Mountain Carting is an adventure that uses gravity in a unique way. You are pulled to the top of a hill in a cart and then you can race down a winding path.
• These old fashioned target sports will test your aim: axe throwing and archery.
• Wall Climbing: A massive wall with routes that are good for climbers of all levels.
• Aerial Adventure: Try a high ropes course featuring wobbly bridges, netting and other challenges.
• When you zorbing, you roll down a hill in a huge, see through inflatable ball.

The Wadi Hub is also a base for mountain biking and trekking, providing it a great starting point for a full day of adventure.

Hiking and biking are great ways to see Hatta.

The free trails are among of the best in the UAE.

Paths for Hiking

The paths are easy to follow and color coded by how hard they are. You may get maps from Hatta Wadi Hub.

• Green (Beginner): Easy, flat paths that are great for a leisurely walk or for families with young kids.
• Blue (Intermediate): Trails that are not too hard, but have some hills and rough ground.
• Red (Advanced): Trails that are hard to walk on and have steep climbs and hard parts.
• Black (Expert): Hard trails for experienced hikers who are in good shape.

The Hatta Sign is the most famous trek. The enormous "HATTA" sign stands out atop one of the tallest peaks and can be seen from all over the area. The hike up takes 30 minutes and is hard, but the view from the top is the best in Hatta, the mountains around it and the dam in the distance. It is the best place to take pictures of the sunset.

Hatta is the official mountain bike trail center in the UAE, with more than 50 km of tracks just for mountain biking. At the Hatta Wadi Hub, you may rent high quality mountain bikes and pick a trail that fits your ability level. There are trails that are easy and sandy as well as ones that are hard and black diamond.

Going Back in Time: Hatta`s Cultural Side

Hatta is more than just an adventure; it is also a great way to learn about the UAE`s past.

Hatta Heritage Village (No cost to get in)

If you want to learn about the area`s past, you have to view this. The town is a beautiful alpine settlement that has been around for 3,000 years. You may learn about how Emiratis lived hundreds of years ago by visiting its 30 buildings, which include a fort, a mosque and traditional homes. It has old weapons, furniture and tools, as well as displays on traditional crafts, food and medicine.

Saturday, Thursday and Friday: 7:30 AM to 8:30 PM; 2:30 PM to 8:30 PM.

More Things to See

• Hatta Fort is a watchtower built in 1896 to protect the village.
• Hatta Hill Park is a lovely green park that was built on a hill. People like to have picnics and barbecues here. The views from the summit are great after a short trek.
• Swan Lake is a small, pretty lake near Heritage Village where you can see ducks and swans. It is a quiet place to take a break.

Food, Places to Stay and Useful Advice

Where to Eat

In Hatta, you won`t go hungry. There are both casual food trucks and more formal restaurants in the Wadi Hub and near the dam.

• Food trucks offer a choice of quick snacks, burgers, ice cream and specialty coffee.
• Local Restaurants: Al Hajarain Restaurant, which is close to Heritage Village, serves traditional Indian and Arabic food in a classic setting.
• Dining at the Hotel: The JA Hatta Fort Hotel has a number of high end dining alternatives, from casual cafes by the pool to fine dining restaurants.

Where to stay?

Hatta has places to stay that will fit any taste and budget.

• The JA Hatta Fort Hotel is a well known luxury resort with beautiful chalet style rooms, swimming pools and restaurants.
• For an exceptional experience, stay at one of the "glamping" places at Hatta Resorts. You can choose from the following:
• Damani Lodges are modern, comfortable lodges on a mountaintop with a view over the Wadi Hub.
• Sedr Trailers: Sleek Airstream style trailers placed close to the Hatta Dam`s banks.
• Hatta Domes are fancy, dome shaped tents with individual plunge pools and amazing views of the mountains.
• Guesthouses and Farms: A lot of people rent out traditional farmhouses or guesthouses, which make for a real and cozy stay.

Useful Advice for Your Trip

• What to wear: Casual, light and comfy clothes are best. Put on shorts, t shirts or light pants. You need to wear sturdy sneakers or hiking shoes if you plan to hike.
• What to Bring: Sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses and a water bottle that you can use again and again. The sun shines brightly even in the winter.
• Hatta is more traditional than coastal Dubai, therefore be respectful of the culture. It is a tourist spot, yet you should dress modestly, especially when you go to the Heritage Village or town.
• Most big places, such hotels, Hatta Kayak and Wadi Hub, take credit cards. But it is a good idea to keep some cash on hand for smaller food vendors or local stores.
• Plan Your Day: There`s a lot to see. It is best to start early, maybe by kayaking at the dam, then hiking or going to the Wadi Hub and lastly resting in the Heritage Village in the late afternoon.

Hatta Dam is more than just a day trip; it is a whole new place to see and a reminder of how beautiful and diverse the UAE`s natural environment is. You have to do this Dubai journey; you will remember it for a long time after you depart.