Virtually every visitor to Dubai experiences a defining 'welcome' moment. For many, it's witnessing the majestic 500-foot fountains perform beneath the soaring Burj Khalifa, surrounded by a sea of smartphones capturing the spectacle. For others, it might be the surprising sight of as many stray cats as luxury supercars on the first morning. Regardless, Dubai presents as a fascinating, often overwhelming destination throughout the year.
An Alternative to the Bling
However, for travellers seeking a less glittering, more authentic taste of the endlessly curious United Arab Emirates, there exists a compelling alternative to the skyscrapers and opulence. Approximately eighty miles southeast of Dubai's radiant core, nestled among serrated mountain peaks and orderly palm groves, lies the town of Hatta.
From Date Farms to Adventure Hub
This compact settlement near the Omani border has undergone a quiet transformation. Once a community centred on traditional date farming, Hatta has reinvented itself as something of an adventure nirvana. Here, you won't find sprawling shopping malls or exclusive private beaches. Instead, it's liberating to discover yourself amidst rolling sand dunes where camels roam freely, with not a Lamborghini in sight.
Perched neatly on a craggy hilltop, the compact cabins of the Damani Lodges Resort provide a perfect base. The buggy ride to the front door itself feels like a miniature off-road adventure. While the cabins feature pleasantly sleek, Scandinavian-style interiors—somewhat surprising in the scorching desert climate—the true highlight is each lodge's spacious sun deck. The cool, still warmth after sunset is utterly intoxicating. Simply resting there, contemplating the vast desert surroundings, serves as the most visceral reminder that you are far from the 'other' Dubai.
The Heart of Adventure at Wadi Hub
With over twenty-five different activities, Wadi Hub is the central spot for Hatta's outdoor pursuits. Conveniently, the Damani Lodges Resort is located on-site. From the privacy of a sun deck, one can enjoy a morning espresso while watching intrepid visitors glide—and occasionally scream—across the rocky hillside on the site's impressive 350-metre zipline.
A hike is an essential first adventure. The goal for many is to reach the prominent, Hollywood-esque sign that spells 'HATTA' in nineteen-metre-high letters within the Hajar Mountains. Despite the imposing landscape and rising temperatures, the scramble to the summit—through red-soiled, Mars-like hills and past dense olive-green sidr trees—is manageable. After the obligatory photo session by the sign, the panoramic view is breathtaking. From around 1,500 feet above sea level, vistas stretch in all directions, revealing unexpectedly lush, green landscapes in parts.
Mountain Biking and Kayaking Idylls
An afternoon mountain bike trail offers more encounters with greenery. For an off-road novice, a breezy, occasionally bouncy forty-five-minute loop around the oasis-style terrain of a nearby creek provides the perfect level of challenge. More demanding trails exist for serious cyclists, but this flat dirt track is ideal for soaking up the scenery with moderate exertion. A word of caution: attempting to film while riding is not advisable, as a near-collision with a bush can attest.
To completely escape any reminder of skyscraper-Dubai, a trip five miles south of Wadi Hub to Hatta Dam is essential. Originally completed in the 1990s to supply the village with electricity and water, the dam now operates as a kayaking idyll. With barely a current to speak of—only the gentle wake of another passing kayak—visitors can waft peacefully across the emerald waters in a happy stupor, lying almost horizontal while gazing at the striking mountain terrain. It is remarkably relaxing.
Agricultural Encounters and Celestial Nights
The serene experiences continue with activities like planting strawberries at Hatta Strawberry Farm, or donning a beekeeper's outfit at the Hatta Honeybee Garden, reputed to be the first specialised bee sanctuary in the Middle East and North Africa region.
Yet, perhaps nothing compares to returning to the cabin deck as night falls. When the mountain bikes and kayaks are packed away, a blanket of flickering stars emerges overhead—a celestial display impossible to witness in the light-polluted skies of Dubai. This natural spectacle proves as captivating as any daytime excursion, offering a perfect, peaceful conclusion to an adventure in the UAE's hidden gem.
