A mountain day in Dubai's exclave in the Hajar Mountains, about two hours by the H02 Hatta Express bus from The Dubai Mall (AED 25). The H04 hop-on hop-off bus (AED 2 per stop) links Hatta Dam and the Heritage Village if you do not want to walk.
Best time: October-April, morning. Hatta Wadi Hub and the glamping sites close for summer (last season ended 3 May 2026; the 2026-27 reopening date was not announced by September 2026); kayaks on Hatta Dam stayed open in summer. In summer go only early morning or evening.
The route, stop by stop
- 1Hatta Sustainable Waterfalls (Al Ghabra Dam)
Opened December 2024: water runs down the face of the upper dam over a 2,198.7 m2 marble mosaic of Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid, then is recycled back to the top. Climb the dam for the mountain view; olive trees close to 400 years old grow nearby; lit at night. 40 min.
- 2Hatta Heritage Village
Reconstructed mountain village of 30 buildings of mud, stone and palm fronds, opened in 2001 and run by Dubai Culture. 60 min.
- 3Hatta Dam
Turquoise reservoir; hire a kayak (AED 60 single, AED 120 double) or a water bike (AED 60). 60 min.
More walks in Dubai
- Al Fahidi lanes to the Bur Dubai souk
- Bur Dubai creekside to Al Shindagha
- Deira souks and Al Ras
- Safa Park to the Jumeirah heritage sites
- Oud Metha, Karama, Zabeel Park and the Dubai Frame
- Downtown: Burj Khalifa to the Museum of the Future
- Satwa and Al Hudaiba: Union House to Ravi's
- Deira back streets: Naif Souq to Al Ras
- Kite Beach to the Burj Al Arab at dawn
- Al Quoz: warehouse coffee and the Alserkal galleries
- Karama: market, Kerala breakfast and manakish