Is this Dubai, too? This was the first question that came to mind as we reached Hatta. Nearly two hours away from Emirate’s city life, we were driving through the beautiful mountainous exclave of Dubai, nestled in the Hajar mountains. A slight drizzle and the overcast sky made the sight more beautiful than it already was.
If you are looking for a winter weekend getaway with your family or a mini daycation with friends, look no further. Hatta is hands down, the best spot in Dubai for that much-needed break. A go-to spot for hiking, biking, kayaking, and many other adventures, Hatta sits on the UAE's border with Oman.
In December 2021, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, announced plans to transform Hatta into a tourism destination, with an inland beach, a lake, and a cable-driven mountain railway.
The route to Hatta
Get ready for one of your most Instagrammable trips in the UAE. Hatta lies about 130 kilometres away from the city, high in the Hajar Mountains. And, the route to Hatta is beautiful, especially the sandy desert you cross while on the Sharjah-Kalba route.
As you reach closer to Hatta, you start to see the silhouette of the mountains on the horizon. Soon, you are driving through the rocky wadis (valleys). Now before you ask, no, you don't need a 4X4 vehicle to get to Hatta, the roads are paved and smooth.
Hatta is a 90-minute drive from Dubai. Take the S112 route, Maliha road from Dubai, and follow the E102 route towards Hatta.
A bus ride from Dubai to Hatta will take you slightly longer - around three hours. The E16 bus departs from Sabkha bus station near Deira and will take you to Hatta.
If you are travelling from Abu Dhabi by car, the ride will take about two hours and 40 minutes. From Abu Dhabi to Sweihan take the E20 route, then the E66 Dubai to Al Ain road, next take the E55 road near Al Shuwaib towards Al Madam till you reach Maliha, now take the E102 (Sharjah-Kalba Road) and then route E44 to reach Hatta.
You don't need a PCR test to enter Hatta, nor to return to Dubai.
On your way, every now and then, you will spot cafeterias where you can stop for some delicious club sandwiches and a steaming cup of karak chai.
Things to do in Hatta
Once you are in Hatta, there is a lot to do. From kayaking to ziplining, and from paragliding to trekking, we wanted to try it all.
We reached Hatta on a Saturday evening and went straight to Hatta Wadi Hub, located 3km from the main Hatta Fort roundabout.
It was buzzing with families, excited children, and happy groups of friends. A friendly manager, Jacqueline, welcomed us at the reception and told us we could try some activities while waiting for our rooms to get ready.
So, we left our luggage in our car and headed straight to the Wadi Hub activity area. Here’s a lowdown of some activities I tried and recommend…
1. Net Walking
This was the first activity I tried - simple, yet adventurous. You walk through the wadi on a suspended net bridge, a fun activity if you have children with you. Adults and children above the age of five can try net walking. One net bridge can safely hold 120kgs at a time, which is why only one person is allowed to cross at a time.
Cost: Dh15 for 15 minutes
Timings: 8am to 6pm
2. Big plunge
Never have I ever tried a trampoline, and that is almost what the big plunge was like – a giant net trampoline for adults. Well, technically anyone from the age of eight can use the big plunge, but the Hatta Wadi Hub has a smaller plunge for children. A fun activity if you want to unleash your inner child. I will never forget trying to jump high, but my feet barely leaving the net, or the few times I fell on the net when youngsters around me were jumping.
Cost: Dh20 for 20 minutes
Timings: 8am to 6pm
3. Tube sliding
I never thought I would be trying this – sitting in an inflated doughnut-shaped tube and sliding down a grassy slope. As we watched other visitors screaming and laughing at the same time as they slid down, Ahmed Ramzan, our senior visual journalist thought it would be “great for the camera”. So, we got a huge twin tube which accommodates two people. As I sat, not yet ready, one of the guides assured me that it was very safe and I would not go rolling off the tube – it has never happened, ever. A minute later, I found myself squealing as we went sliding down.
Cost: Dh45 per round
Timings: 8am to 6pm
4. Archery
Want to put your archery skills to the test? This sport can be enjoyed at a specially built zone featuring five lanes and a target distance of 10 meters. From the first-time archers to the experienced, you will find it hard to stop at one round. For first-time archers, the activity guides explain the basics of how to hit the target.
Cost: Dh35 for children
Dh60 for adults
Timings: Weekdays: 8am to 6pm, Weekends: 8am to 8pm
5. Kayaking
Get ready to Kayak through the beautiful Hatta Dam lake. After trying the self-driven mini speed boat at Dubai Marina recently, I was cool as a cucumber when I walked towards the kayaks, ready to try a new water activity. If you get there early like we did, it is a surreal experience as you row through the waters in the cool breeze. For safety, four lifeguards follow you a few meters away in a small speed boat, should there be an emergency. But, as long as you keep your legs stretched straight forward inside the kayak, and keep your body steady while rowing, everything is pretty much under control. There are other water activities also available to enjoy such as pedal boats and water bikes.
Cost: Dh60 for single-seater kayaks, Dh120 for two-seater kayaks
Timings: 8am to 6pm
6. Mountain rover
Coming to the mountain rover, it was my favourite activity during this trip. I am definitely going back for it. You put on your safety gear - a helmet, elbow pads, and knee pads, hop on a not-so-small four-wheel rover, on which you can stand or sit, and drive through the mountain trail. The rovers are ridden in groups, so if you are not visiting with a group of friends or family, you will be asked to wait till there are enough riders for the trip. The rovers are very easy to maneuver, a guide first shows you how to drive them, and two guides assist your group on the mountain trail ensuring the visitors are safe.
Cost: Dh150 for 45 minutes
Timings: 12pm to 6pm
7. Mountain trekking
Love mountain hiking? With the weather being perfect, this is the right time to explore Hatta as you hike through the 32.6-kilometre ability-graded set of hiking routes, available both as free or as guided tours. The trails start from the Hatta Wadi Hub and comprise of four routes of various difficulty levels – for beginners through to experienced hikers and off-road runners. The routes are colour coded green, blue, red and black, going from easiest to hardest in difficulty.
Cost: Dh50 per person
Timings: 8am to 6pm
That’s not all. Here’s a list of other activities to try:
8. Twin Zip (Zipline)
Age: Above 6 years
Time: 8am to 6pm
Cost: Dh120
Weight range: 45kgs to 90kgs
9. Climbing wall
Age: Above 6 years
Time: 8am to 8pm on weekdays
8am to 10pm on weekends
Cost: Dh35 for children, Dh60 for adults
Weight range: 15kgs to 120kgs
10. Drop in (Water activity)
Age: Above 6 years
Time: 8am to 6pm
Cost: Dh75 for children, Dh100 for adults – 1 session is for 1.5 hours
11. Mountain biking
Age: Above 10 years
Time: 7am to 6pm on weekdays
8am to 10pm on weekends
Cost: From Dh65
Minimum height: 120cm
12. Axe throwing
Age: Above 16 years
Time: 8am to 8pm on weekdays
8am to 10pm on weekends
Cost: Dh60 for 15 minutes
13. Assault course
Age: Above 9 years
Time: 8am to 6pm
Cost: Dh100 for two rounds
14. Inflatable maze
Age: Above 6 years
Time: 8am to 6pm
Cost: Dh50
15. Horse riding
Age: Above 3 years
Time: 6.30am to 8.30am and 4pm to 6.30pm
Cost: Dh50
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