Scenic Hatta Mountain Reserve stands in sharp contrast to Dubai’s sparkling cityscape.
gear up for a trip to Dubai might need excavate out your fanciest pair of shoe , your chicest poolside ensemble , and whichever credit card has the highest terminal point . After all , the cosmopolitan oasis perched on the boundary of the Persian Gulf has long been a bastion of trashy modernism and high capitalist economy , constellate with gravity - hold skyscraper , coddle opulence resorts , and malls the sizing of modest American metropolis . But just 90 minute from the hulk Burj Khalifa and all its glitzy havoc lies a very different side of the United Arab Emirates experience : Hatta Mountain Reserve , a secluded yet action - pack protected area offering visitors and locals alike a much - needed dose of nature .
Now a part of the United Arab Emirates , Hatta ( formerly known as Hajarain ) start life as a territory of neighboring Oman . Around 1850 , however , Sultan Turki bin Said surrendered to the interests of the Na’im of Buraimi tribe , which had recently nail down nearby Masfout , and officially transfer the soil ’s ownership to Dubai . The domain has always been extremely valuable , its comparatively high altitude of 1,053 metrical unit fostering fat soil , cool class - bout temperatures , and plentiful rain in a neighborhood where fresh water is backbreaking to descend by . In fact , Hatta have 30 % of the UAE ’s total annual rain , refill the restored falaj , a traditional Omani irrigation system of rules , and pool into two sizable downstream reservoirs .
send at the apex ofthe Arabian Highland Woodlands and Shrublands WWF Global 200 Ecoregion , Hatta also holds the deed as one of the Gulf ’s most biodiverse destinations . Stroll through the historical small town or trek along the jagged Hajar Mountains slice through blue sky above and you ’ll derive across 19 % of the country ’s known plant mintage , 44 % of its native mammalian population , 27 % of its hiss , 30 % of its reptiles and amphibian , and a thumping 79 % of its dragonflies . Likewise , tilling the land is still a big industry in these region , with a report 550 farms , many specializing in lucrative date thenar , calling Hatta ’s 50 - square - mi home plate .
Photo courtesy of Dubai Tourism
Given all these advantage — not to mention its driving - distance proximity to urban hub like Dubai and Abu Dhabi — it ’s no wonder that local Emiratis and their fellow house physician have been patronise Hatta as a prime holiday spot for the last 40 - odd years . In late long time , tourists have been let in on the secret , with bud interest among visitors looking to dramatize out their trips to Dubai with some nature - focalize activity . The state has , in turn , responded to the area ’s rise in popularity , pledging 1.3 billion AED back in 2016 to support a multitude of front - facing projects , including development of housing , green surface area , bike path , and more . In 2019 , Hatta Mountain Reserve was designated Ramsar Site bit 2368 by the UAE , a protected class marking the field a Wetland of International Importance . And the future , it seems , is only get brighter .
“ Hatta has transubstantiate over the preceding few years to become a world class address and a key touristic attractive force , ” says Roudi Soubra , executive managing director of asset direction for ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al - Maktoum ’s global investment companionship , Dubai Holding . “ With the UAE Government backing , we ’re proud to have play a pivotal role in developing an eco - friendly adventure destination , with adventuresome activities from kayaking to muckle biking , axe - throwing , and archery , among many others . what is more , we ’re felicitous to proceed to grow and spring up the area through numerous opening which will further underpin the local Hatta residential district , socially and economically . ”
ax - throwing ? Kayaking ? In Dubai ? You betcha . Here ’s how to make the most of an endlessly exciting , enthrallingly beautiful pleasure trip to the UAE ’s instinctive crown jewel , Hatta Mountain Reserve .
Photo courtesy of Dubai Tourism
Get your adrenaline pumping at Hatta Wadi Hub
First give up : Hatta Wadi Hub . This out-of-door adventure complex harnesses Hatta ’s epic scene to create a one - of - a - variety experience for thrill - quester of all age . Drop by the fundamental visitors revolve about to pick up a coffee berry or engage in a plot of foosball before sign up for any number of mob - friendly offerings . high spot let in the Middle East ’s first ever zorbing runway , where participants are strap into gargantuan , clear , inflatable clod before being catapult down a grooved hillside . You ’ll also find a tactical paintball course of instruction , axe - throwing and archery installation , a climbing paries , a multi - lane 39 - metrical foot - tall water slide , guide on off - road fomite excursions , paragliding , rock climbing , trampolining , and a massive zipline .
The ballpark also link to more than 30 miles of tramp and biking trails , making it an excellent homebase for those concerned in a more crushed - tech outing . Lodging options — including render trailers , tent tenting , glamping , and modernistic cabins — are all up for grabs , plus fire pits for BYOB grilling and a clump of nonmigratory food truck peddle a potpourri of cuisine . tamp as much as you could into a day of fresh - atmosphere entertainment or take it easy with a walk around the dimension and a pony ride for the kiddos .
Hit the trails on foot, by bike, or on horseback
mouth of trails , Hatta is crisscrossed by a Brobdingnagian mesh of gloss - coded nerve tract ideal for tramper , rockers , and everything in between . Scale the cragged mountainside on an advanced black route or opt for a leisurely sail along one of the less - task green path . With a 24 - hour lead essence and gratis parking , bikers armed with their own equipment can research the varying terrain at their leisure , while others can rent what they postulate and even employ a trained templet by making a pitstop at Hatta Wadi Hub .
No matter which point you ’re up for , you ’ll be treated to a panoramic view of arcadian farms , sparkling rain - feed lakes , wholesale grassland , preserved historic sites , and one of the highest assiduity of indigenous flora and fauna in the UAE . And do n’t blank out to hesitate for a selfie in front of the landmark Hatta sign of the zodiac — modeled after the iconic Hollywood signal in Los Angeles , the 195 - foot blanched stoppage letters peer down from nearly 1,500 infantry atop the range ’s high vertex . Photo - ops can be found all along the pile ’s bag , but the best view is certainly from beneath the star sign itself , approachable in about 30 minutes by foot .
While it ’s feasible to pack your souped - up Diamondback or trustworthy Merrells , odds are you did n’t seek to gibe a Equus caballus on that overnight flight of steps to Dubai . No worries — the folk music at Hatta Golden Horse have your back , pass picturesque seasonal daybreak and sundown Trot through the hills with their gorgeous fleet of Arabian gymnastic horse . An hour - farseeing drive runs 100 AED ( about $ 27 USD ) per person and include a barbeque lunch .
Photo courtesy of Visit Hatta
Feast on farm- (and hive-) to-table cuisine
All that exploring is constipate to run up an appetency . For hungry common - leaver , Hatta Wadi Hub serve as a one - stop - workshop , stocked with both an onsite coffeeshop in the form ofHatta Wild Cafeas well as a fistful of stationary food hand truck . carte selection include everything from juicy burgers ( Damani Bites ) and originative turn on regional favorites ( Taste of Hatta ) to overstuffed doner and falafel wraps ( Doner Race Sandwich ) and Italian - way pizza pie , subs , and pasta dishes ( Adrina ) .
Off the park dry land , a host of standalone restaurants provide a more schematic ( yet rarely courtly ) dining surroundings . Over on Dubai Hatta Road , Tanoor Restauranthas master the art of Emirati place - cookery , with a menu spanning flavorful mezze and spicy meats like lamb , chicken , and camel . If you ’re roll deeply , look at splurging on the traditional full sheep dinner party , a fellowship - style bedspread delivered right to your threshold with all the mend .
Located inside Hatta Heritage Village ’s Shari’a territory , Al Hajarianis another formidable contender for the area ’s tastiest Emirati culinary art . The handsomely minimise eating house makes salutary employment of Hatta ’s agrarian bounty , source extremist - local fixings from nearby farm to flog up soups , salads , and lusty main like lamb and chicken makboos , pelt with Khaleeji spices and fragrant yellow Elmer Reizenstein , supply ship , yogurt - marinade shish tawook , and rich Indian - influenced curries .
Photo courtesy of Dubai Tourism
And it ’s not just sheep James Leonard Farmer and veg - cultivator hog the spotlight — dirt ball aficionado also get their bonnie part of tending here . Hatta Honeybee Garden , the first queen bee - rearing facility in the region , appeal seasoned honey - fan and the bee - singular likewise to its tranquil four - acre sanctuary . Slip into a apiculturist courtship and succeed along as garden staffers show you the ropes on expert tours . you may also take part in script - on computer programming like candela - make workshops and beehive care demo . On your mode out , head into the onsite shop to blame up jars of house - made honey organize according to pollinate tree , plus spiced love fusion , bee pollen , ginseng , and raw honeycomb .
Paddle around the Hatta Dam’s turquoise waters
But that ’s the future . For now , the dam is a magnet for piss sports enthusiasts from all corners of the world . Get up close and personal with its pristine , teal - hued depths by let a kayak , H2O bike , or pedal gravy holder from purveyor extraordinaireHatta Kayakand embarking on some splashy sport in the Sunday . Or kick back and delight the ken without breaking a sweat from one of Hatta Kayak ’s galvanic boats , which go the gamut from a four - man Donut Boat to a 25 - seat panjandrum tour boat .
Just think back : As tempting as the body of water may be , swim in the Hatta Dam is strictly forbidden , so keep your weapons system and leg inside the vehicle at all times .
Wander through historical riches
It does n’t take an academic to break up up on the fact that Hatta buzzes with historical signification . What sets it apart , however , is how well keep everything is — quite a modification from the futuristic cityscape just 80 miles northwest in downtown Dubai . Fromancient rock carving to graves see to 3500 BCE and century - old mosque , you could easy spend your intact Hatta holiday entrenched in the past .
The old small town of Hatta is littered with once - strategic watchtower that now offer curious visitant excellent views of the Mountain Reserve . Hatta Fort , a citadel erected in 1896 from mud bricks and rock chiseled from the mountainside , encompasses the most far-famed tug . At 36 foot grandiloquent , it stretches high above the fortress and the stately Juma Mosque , Hatta ’s erstwhile with root in 1780 , below . The structure has remained a very popular tourer attraction since its refurbishment in 1996 .
Sleep beneath the stars or book a stay in a vintage trailer, sleek cabin, or four-star resort
Between poring over ancient artifacts and working off that additional ordering of mezze on a rattling raise up the hillside , any trip to Hatta Mountain Reserve worth its salt deserves at least two days of dedicated hang time . That ’s where the surface area ’s plethora of hospitable accommodations total in , with something for every budget , interest , and , let ’s say , stage of perceptiveness for the Great Outdoors .
encampment — both crude tent - pitching internet site and more upscale glamping opportunities — is a fantastic means to wring even more wilderness adventure out of your stay . Hatta Mountain Bike Trail Center offers resourceful overnighters a cozy spot to stake up , include barasti huts , grills , shower , and bathrooms , while Hatta Wadi Hub provides a like setup plus onsite food for thought truck and other amenities . Have tent , will travel ? Simply head toward the mountains , find a suitable campground , and drop your tarp — there arefree campsitesall over Hatta Mountain Reserve that require little more than showing up and cuddle in for the nighttime .
For those looking for a more or less more comfy dark sky sleepover , Hatta Wadi Hub comes correctwith a bustling caravan park alongside access to the yurt - centric Hatta Dome Park and Damani Lodges Resort , beautiful private mountainside hut beautify out with private balconies , rapid wifi , ensuite bathrooms , and lavish beds . Elsewhere , Sedr Trailers — a mesh of glistening race poke nestled high in the wad and only accessible via offroad ATV — oozes with Insta - worthy appeal . Each site comes with its own terrace , bathroom , and dining area , while a communal firing pit and barbeque area takes care of the rest . ( Another perquisite ? Room service from a nonmigratory intellectual nourishment motortruck . )
Photo courtesy of Tanoor Restaurant
eventually , if anything even resembling camping ruffles your delicate plume , wait no further thanJA Hatta Fort Hotel . Despite its name , there ’s nothing militaristic about this contemporary mellow - end resort . The pristine wad views from the guestrooms , villas , and new Terra Cabins are just one of the dimension ’s many draws . The full wash list of offerings spans swimming pool , minigolf , multiple restaurant , a cocktail waiting room , an indoor game way , health watering place , petting menagerie , fitness pith , and pass outdoor excursions . Much like the UAE , a country volleying between lenient Dubai and rustic Hatta , it ’s the salutary of both worlds .
Ready to hit the park? Check out our tool kit to get started:
Photo Courtesy of Dubai Tourism
Photo courtesy of Courtesy of Dubai Tourism
Photo Courtesy Dubai Tourism
