Remember the disclaimer to our last OFW Travels post Trekking @ Wadi Shawka, Ras Al Khaimah? We really should listen to our own advice because on our latest trip to Hatta, Dubai last Eid Al Adha, one of my friends suffered from heatstroke and we had to cut our trip short. Nevertheless, we managed to have fun even if we were not able to complete our itinerary. Besides, the heat has become unbearable and we were all craving the cool blast of the air conditioner that the malls of Downtown Dubai are offering. (So, this post may not be as extensive as other posts about Hatta, but we will try our best to be as informative as possible.
First stop: Hatta Heritage Village
One of the most popular tourist destinations in Hatta, Dubai, don’t let the façade of the Hatta Heritage Village intimidate you into visiting because it is absolutely free! (This was our first thought since the place is well maintained and we were worried that the entrance fee might be pricey, and we could not afford). But in reality, you could just step inside and enjoy, not only the village itself but the gorgeous greenery and mountain views. You’d feel like you stepped back in time once you see the huts and buildings made out of mud, stone and other natural materials that depicted Emirati traditions, culture and way of life in the past. You could take your time walking around and breathing in the fresh air and no one would bother you even if you wanted to take photos of all the nooks and crannies. The site is maintained by the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority and visitors are encouraged to maintain the cleanliness and appearance of the place by avoiding littering and by being respectful of the structures which is only understandable and expected.
Second stop: Al Sharia Site
Technically, this is not a second stop since it is within the vicinity of the Hatta Heritage Village, but the Al Sharia site deserves a spot on this list. This palm tree farm would provide you with a respite from the hot weather and the urban view and feels of Downtown Dubai that we are familiar with. The view and scent of the air would instantly help you feel relaxed and calm and you could feel your tension and stress meting away as you listen to the chirping of the birds and watch the leaves swaying because of the gentle breeze. The Al Sharia Site is mostly a tree farm with its underground irrigation system would not only provide you with the knowledge on how farms in the deserts were able to keep their trees thriving and producing delicious dates. The steady stream of water that irrigates the farm could even lull you to sleep and give you the impression that you are near a lake or a waterfall.
The way they built the irrigation is also complementing the whole look and theme of Hatta Heritage Village. The doors hiding the irrigation system are made out of steel and medieval-esque which is another perfect background for a photo for the ‘gram.
Tips on visiting Hatta Heritage Village and Al Sharia Site: Wear comfortable clothes and shoes for comfortable walking and roaming around. If you sweat a lot, bring a change of clothes or a handkerchief. Make sure your phone or digital camera are charged and with ample memory since you would not be able to stop yourself snapping every part of Hatta Heritage Village and Al Sharia Site. There are cottages with tables and chairs in Al Sharia Site where you could rest and eat if you have packed food and water. Just make sure to clean after yourself. There is also a restaurant nearby if you are hungry but forgot to bring anything although if you would visit early in the morning, the restaurant might still not be open. Better to bring some snacks with you to have energy for a day full of activities.
Timings: Saturday – Thursday: 7:30 AM – 8:30 PM, Friday: 2:30 PM – 8:30 PM (timings may vary because of the pandemic and during holidays)
Contact number: +971 4 852 1374
Third stop: Hatta Water Dam
Our tour guide/driver dropped us off at the bottom of the Hatta Water Dam and told us that we need to climb thousands of stairs to reach the top to see the water dam below. Okay, challenge accepted. We were all brazen at the beginning thinking we could do it since the thousand steps seems to be an easy feat. But at the middle of the climb (although there is a cemented stairs visitor could use), I wanted to just give up and go back to the van and turn the AC all the way up to cool down. But I keep thinking to myself that this was relatively easy compared to the Al Rabi Mountain Trail and if I survived that, I know I could manage this one too. Fortunately, I pushed through because the view is truly breathtaking. The dam is situated in the middle of the mountains but there is a platform where guests who does not want to go down and experience some of the water activities such as kayaking, pedal boating, water biking, etc. could still enjoy the scenery
Tips on visiting Hatta Water Dam: Make sure that you stretch first before you start the climb and that you have a bottle of preferably cool water since you would be parched (but if you forget to bring one, luckily there is a store at the top where you could buy foods, drinks and even souvenirs). Wear a hat also or bring a scarf especially if you are prone to migraines. Don’t forget to put on sunscreen as well and reapply it later if you would still be spending the day outdoors. It is also recommended to bring an extra face mask because you would sweat a lot and if your mask get drenched from your sweat, it would not be effective anymore to protect you from the virus. The staffs of Hatta Water Dam are also strict in implementing the safety precautionary measures and if you would want to remove your masks while taking pictures, make sure to just remove it for a few seconds and that you are not near any of the other guests. Do not hog the view deck also and give chance to other visitors who want to take their photos as well.
Timings: (for Hatta Kayak) Sunday – Thursday: 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM, Friday – Saturday: 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Contact details: +971 56 616 2111
Fourth Stop: Hatta Hill Park
After the tedious and sweat inducing Hatta Water Dam, we drove next towards to Hatta Hill Park. If you frequently visit various parks around in Dubai, Hatta Hill Park would still surprise you because even if it is a cross between urban and rural landscape, you’d still feel you are in the midst of nature since the cottages are situated in mountainous area. The stairs going up to these cottages are cemented and you would not have a hard time climbing.
Even if you prefer to stay on the ground and not go up the hill, you would still have plenty of fun and space to roam or walk around. There are places for picnics and barbeques and other facilities for those who wanted to play basketball or soccer. There are also benches around the park where you could sit should you feel tired from walking.
Tips on visiting Hatta Hill Park: This is where my friend almost lost her consciousness because of the heat and of sudden activity. If you are not that active and you don’t exercise that much (which is the case for most of us, to be honest) please be careful when you start engaging in strenuous activities especially during summer. Take your time when going up the Hatta Hill Park, or better yet do some warmup exercises first, especially if the Hatta Hill Park is your first stop. Also stay hydrated, don’t be constantly exposed in the sun’s hot rays and if you are feeling unwell, pause and rest. There are free water refilling stations inside the park although at the time when we went there, it was not cold. Still, it is better than being parched.
Timings: Sunday – Saturday: 8:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Contact details: +971 800 900
Overall Hatta experience
I feel like we have only scraped the tip of the iceberg during our visit and there are other places around Hatta that we could have explored and other activities we could have done. There is the Hatta Mountain Bike Trail Center, the Hatta Honey Bee Discovery Center, and all the other leisure pursuits offered by the Hatta Wadi Hub. I haven’t even gotten a decent shot of the Hatta Mountain Sign!
Our trip might have been cut short due to an unavoidable circumstance, but that’s okay because it gave us another reason to explore Hatta again when the sweater weather rolls in.
An Overseas Filipino Worker since 2008, Yvette is back in the Middle East after a brief stint in a first world country in South East Asia. She is a binge watcher and is part of numerous fandoms. She writes to keep her sanity (read her rantings on Wattpad @yvette_dc) and is happiest when she's in a bookstore. If given the resources, she would see the world.