2 Hours' Drive from Dubai, This Best-kept Secret of UAE is Haven for Nature Lovers

Think Dubai and the first few things that come to mind are the Burj Khalifa, Atlantis The Palm hotel, a dhow cruise at Dubai Creek, the Dubai Mall, and the super-luxury cars zooming on the city’s roads. But how often can you think of a quiet, secluded place in Dubai where you can escape the hustle and bustle of city life?

Well, Hatta is that hidden gem, about 140 km from Dubai, located in a distant corner towards the south. It is arguably the Emirate's one of the most prized possessions. Let’s check this one out!

Where is it?

Far from the hustle and bustle of Dubai, the peaceful Hatta Mountain Conservation Reserve is nestled in the Hajar Mountains that stretch from the east coast of Oman to the northern region of the UAE. Confined within a small region south of Dubai, Hatta Reserve shares its borders with the neighbouring emirates of Ras al-Khaimah and Ajman, and Oman.

What to see and do in Hatta?

Almost everything that you can never expect from Dubai! A good place to head to during a weekend, Hatta Reserve offers a more laid-back lifestyle and awe-striking landscape that can make you forget Dubai’s glitzy citylife. After it recently gained popularity among netizens, the reserve is being developed under a programme for tourism.

If you love adventure, Hatta Wadi Hub—a purpose-built facility offering a wide range of adventure activities—is a must-visit. You can choose from go-karting, zorbing, a human slingshot, axe throwing, archery, free-fall jumps, wall climbing, trampolining, and many more. Besides, the Hatta MTB Bike Centre allows you to rent a bike and go mountain biking in the recently developed 50 km of biking trails that spread across various terrains of the reserve.

Hatta also offers various other outdoor adventure activities like glamping, hiking, kayaking, and guided tours of surprisingly rich wildlife. Exciting news for wildlife lovers: a number of species entirely new to science have been discovered in the region since 2008, including the likes of the Arabian spiny mouse, Wagner's gerbil, rare owls, and the Arabian tahr, a species of wild goat. So, don’t be surprised if you happen to spot an animal or a bird that you have never seen before!

How to reach Hatta?

The best way to reach Hatta is by a private vehicle from Dubai via the Sharjah-Kalba route, for it allows you to take in the beauty of this spectacular landscape. You can also hire a cab from Dubai or Abu Dhabi. From Abu Dhabi, it’s a two-and-a-half-hour drive before you reach the reserve. If you’re travelling by public transport, you'll need to catch the E16 bus from Sabkha Bus Station in Dubai. The bus journey takes a little over two hours to reach Hatta.

Well, with such a lesser known place less than two hours from one of the world's biggest metropolitan areas, there's every reason why your next visit to Dubai should include Hatta. Here’s where you will be able to indulge in some real adventure, get up-close with nature, and understand the biodiversity of the nearby Hajar Mountains.

What do you think about the idea of taking an offbeat holiday like this in the UAE? Tell us in the comments below.

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