Much like its Hollywood equivalent, the Hatta Sign rises high above the landscape, the large steel letters welcoming visitors before the town even comes into view.
On the contrary to its Californian counterpart, the Hatta Sign exchanges the Hollywood Hills for the Hajar Mountains, the bustling streets of Beverly Hills with a small Emirati town. Hatta itself is paradise for nature lovers in Dubai – the landscape home to date farms and hiking trails and stunning turquoise springs.
As an avid hiker living in the UAE, I was told on multiple occasions that the Hatta Sign Hike was one of the must dos in Dubai. I was hesitant – I usually find myself more drawn to the rugged ridelines of the Stairway to Heaven or the colorful rock formations of Wadi Ghub, but I was willing to give it a try.
So prepped with plenty of water (and a little more for good measure) I headed out to hike the Hatta Sign. Now I’m here to share all the details – and why I think the Hatta Sign Hike is the very best beginner hike in Dubai. So let’s get hiking, shall we?
Want to know more about hiking in the UAE? Check out all of my UAE Hiking Guides!
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Guided Tours of Hatta
Want to explore more of Hatta while you’re out hiking? Check out some of these highly recommended guided tours in the area.
🐝 Hatta Safari and Honey Bee Garden Visit – Explore the deserts of Hatta and learn about the unique honey-making process.
⛰️ Hatta Mountains Full Day Private Tour – Get a true local experience with this day trip from Dubai to the centuries-old Hatta Heritage Village.
🚣 Hatta Dam and Heritage Village Tour – Enjoy kayaking in the turquoise Hatta Dam and exploring the heritage village.
The Hatta Sign Hike Basics
Total Distance: 7km out-and-back trail from Wadi Hub
Duration: 1-2 hours
Elevation Gain: 650 feet
Difficulty Level: Beginner to Moderate (some steep sections)
Location: In Hatta, Dubai, about 90 minutes from Downtown Dubai
Cost: Free
Know Before You Go
Before you begin your trek to the Hatta Sign, here are a few things you should know:
Hatta is located in Dubai
You might be confused as to how Hatta is located in Dubai, and also 90 minutes from Downtown Dubai. That’s because Dubai as you probably picture it – with steel skyscrapers and mega highways – is simply the largest city in the Emirate of Dubai. The emirate itself is over 4,000 square kilometers, and home to a number of towns.
Hatta is one of these towns, located in the southwest corner of the emirate near the Oman border. In fact, from the Hatta Sign, you’ll be able to peer out over the Hajar and wave to Oman!
The Wadi Hub Hiking Trails
Hatta has undergone major development in recent years to become a hub of outdoor activities in Dubai –everything from mountain biking to rock climbing. Most of these activities are organized through Wadi Hub, an activity center complete with over 32 kilometers of trails for hiking and biking, alongside other outdoor activities.
The Hatta Sign trail is one of many trails created by Wadi Hub. The Hatta Sign Hike begins at the visitors center and is clearly marked, but watch out for mountain bikers along the beginning part of the trail. If you’re looking for a real challenge, you can actually take the Wadi Hub trails 5 kilometers to the Hatta Dam!
The Hatta Sign trail is not a walk in the park
After we’ve seen so many Instagram snaps of a place, I think it’s easy to forget the work that it took to get there. While the Hatta Sign Hike has plenty of infrastructure in place it is not a simple walk in the park. There is steep elevation gain, uneven ground, and little-to-no shade.
I still believe due to its short distance and minimal difficulty, this is still the best beginner hike in Dubai. But please do not come expecting a paved pathway or a short trek for an Instagram photo. Wear appropriate clothing, pack enough water, and give yourself more time than you think you need, especially if you are a new hiker.
The Best Time for Hiking in Hatta
The best time for hiking in the UAE is in the winter months, from mid-October to mid-April. During this period, temperatures are milder, generally in the low 20s Celcius (70s Fahrenheit). The Hatta Sign Hike has little to no shade until the top, which means that it’s especially risky during summer months.
Seriously, don’t learn this the hard way – I certainly did! We attempted this trek in late April, and halfway up the trail I had to hide in the shade of a rock and eat a banana when my vision started going spotty. I was fine after some water and rest, but don’t make the same mistake as me.
How to Get To the Hatta Sign Hike
The trailhead for the Hatta Sign Hike begins at Wadi Hub, a large activity center on the outskirts of the town of Hatta. There is a large parking lot with plenty of free parking available.
These days, there are a few ways to get to Hatta from the city of Dubai. While you used to only be able to drive yourself, the Emirate of Dubai recently introduced the Hatta Bus, which can take visitors from Dubai city proper to and around Hatta.
How to get to Hatta by car
If you chose to drive yourself to Hatta, first take Emirates Road (Route E611) heading north towards Ras Al Khaimah. Just before Sharjah Mosque, turn right onto Sharjah-Kalba Road (Route E102) heading towards Fujairah. Keep an eye out to your right as you drive – you’ll pass another favorite hike, the Fossil Rock!
From E102, take Dubai-Hatta Road (E44) into the town of Hatta. From the central traffic circle, continue straight and you’ll shortly see the Wadi Hub on your right, just outside of town.
How to get to Hatta on the Hatta bus
The Hatta Bus operates daily from 7AM-7PM, leaving every two hours from the Dubai Mall. The journey to Hatta takes around 2 hours and tickets cost 25 dirham.
Once the bus arrives in Hatta, it will drop passangers at the Hatta Bus Station. From here, you can buy a ticket for the Hatta Hop-On, Hop-Off bus, which takes you to 4 major sites throughout Hatta: Wadi Hub, Hatta Dam, Hatta Hill Park, and Hatta Heritage Village. Tickets cost 2 dirham per stop.
How to Hike to the Hatta Sign
The starting point for the Hatta Sign Hike begins just behind Wadi Hub. The most efficient way to hike to the Hatta Sign is by taking the Green 1 trail to the Green 4 trail to The Blue 2 trail, but because of the interconnectedness of the trail system, you can also opt for a bit of a choose-your-own-adventure if you prefer.
The Green trails will take you across the base of the mountain, whereas the blue trail turns uphill and traverses all the way to the Hatta Sign. The route is parallel to the go-karting track down the mountain.
While the walk to the base is relatively flat, the path soon turns steep. While the trek might be short, you’re covering significant elevation in a short period of time, so be prepared for some uphill and don’t be afraid to take breaks along the way. The path has minimal shade, so pack plenty of water and sun protection.
The letters themselves are much larger than they seem from the ground, towering high above you as you reach the peak. In one direction, you can peer out over the town of Hatta and into the Hajar, in the other, the hub of trails from which you came.
The Wadi Hub trails continue on towards Hatta Dam, but I only recommend this route for more experienced hikers. No judgment if you did this hike for the Insta pic, but now is the time to capture it!
The base of the sign is much shadier than most of the path, so it’s a great spot to stop and rest or have a quick picnic if you’ve packed it. Keep an eye out for Blue-Headed Agamas, a species of lizard that, true to their name, sport a brightly-colored cerulean head.
To return to Wadi Hub, simply return back down the trail. Be cautious of loose gravel on the way down, especially on the steeper parts! Once you reach the base of the mountain, you can once again use the trail network to navigate back to the activity center.
Other Things to do in Hatta, Dubai
While the sign hike might be the most iconic Insta-photo from the Hatta Hub, there is plenty more to do on a trip to Hatta. Hatta is slowly gaining a reputation as one of the must-visit spots in the UAE for a reason – perfect for seasoned nature enthusiasts and newbies alike.
Hatta deserves at least an afternoon trip, but I highly recommend staying overnight to help make the most of all the town has to offer. From kayaking amongst the mountains to wandering ancient heritage sites, Hatta is the perfect place to gain a deeper understanding of the UAE beyond its flashy cities. Check out my Ultimate Guide to Hatta to help you plan your trip.
My Hatta Travel Essentials
Here are a few of my tried-and-true essentials I found useful on the Hatta trails! If you’re curious to know more about what I bring with me hiking in the UAE, check out my packing list here.
- Hiking Boots: I find my Blundstone Boots perfect for UAE hiking and city exploring.
- Lightweight Scarves: Perfect for a little extra sun protection or modesty in a smaller town.
- Purifying Water Bottle: Water is a precious resource in the desert so let’s make the most of it!
- Camera daypack: I take this small camera bag with me EVERYWHERE, perfect for both my camera and daily essentials!
- SPF: A must when hiking in the UAE, SPF 50 or higher if possible!
The Best TrAIl for Beginner Hikers
So why do I consider the Hatta Sign the best trail in Dubai for beginner hikers?
What I worried would be an overdeveloped trail turned out to be a beautiful trek through the nature of the UAE. There is certainly plenty of infrastructure in place to make this trail easy to follow, but it does not detract from the natural beauty of the site and rather encourages newbie hikers to get out there on the trails.
If you’ve been curious about hiking in the UAE, or just want to dip your toes in the stunning landscapes of the Hajar, the Hatta Sign Hike is the perfect place to start. Places like Hatta are a beautiful way to encourage people to get outside and hey, maybe you’ll discover your inner hiker!
UAE Quick Links
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Virginia Taylor (Ginna) is a travel writer and photographer exploring the world until her boots wear through. She’s currently on a mission to explore all 32 departments of Colombia, though she formerly called the Middle East home. Want to know more? Visit the About Page.
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