Hatta has 18 waymarked hiking routes starting from Hatta Wadi Hub, totalling 40.6 km on the official trail map, all free to use and graded green (easy), blue (moderate), red (difficult) and black (severe). The most popular hike links Green 1, Green 4 and Blue 2 to the giant HATTA letters above the valley: about 6 to 7 km return with roughly 250 metres of climbing, 2 to 2.5 hours. Green 2 is an easy 8 km walk towards Hatta Dam, and Black 1 is a tough 7.5 km mountain loop with 784 metres of climbing. Hike from October to April, start early, and carry at least 1.5 litres of water each, as the trails have almost no shade.
Trail stats
- Routes
- 18: 4 green, 3 blue, 6 red, 4 black (the linking sections between waypoints)
- Total length
- 40.6 km of marked trail
- Start
- The Starting Point at Hatta Wadi Hub, off the Dubai to Hatta road
- Cost
- Free; parking free at Wadi Hub
- Most popular
- Hatta Sign hike: Green 1, Green 4 and Blue 2, about 6 to 7 km return
- Shade
- Almost none; rest areas with shade structures at some junctions
- Season
- October to April; summer at first light only
Last checked: 13 October 2026 against the official Hatta hiking trail map published by Visit Hatta. Times are our estimates for a steady pace with short breaks.
On this page
Every route at a glance
| Route | Distance | Elevation gain / loss | Our time estimate | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Green 1 | 1.7 km | +84 m / -22 m | 30 to 40 min | Easy |
| Green 2 | 8.0 km | +53 m / -8 m | 1 hr 45 min to 2 hr 15 min | Easy |
| Green 3 | 1.0 km | +50 m / -10 m | 20 to 25 min | Easy |
| Green 4 | 1.0 km | +50 m / -18 m | 20 to 25 min | Easy |
| Blue 1 | 3.2 km | +202 m / -190 m | 1 hr 15 min to 1 hr 30 min | Moderate |
| Blue 2 | 3.1 km | +253 m / -246 m | 1 hr 15 min to 1 hr 30 min | Moderate |
| Blue 3 | 4.2 km | +241 m / -176 m | 1 hr 30 min to 1 hr 45 min | Moderate |
| Red 1 | 1.0 km | +224 m / -16 m | 40 to 50 min | Difficult |
| Red 2 | 1.3 km | +223 m / -19 m | 45 to 55 min | Difficult |
| Red 3 | 0.8 km | +146 m / -17 m | 30 to 40 min | Difficult |
| Red 4 | 1.8 km | +179 m / -124 m | 50 to 60 min | Difficult |
| Red 5 | 2.2 km | +166 m / -163 m | 55 to 70 min | Difficult |
| Red 6 | 0.8 km | +158 m / -8 m | 30 to 40 min | Difficult |
| Black 1 | 7.5 km | +784 m / -704 m | 3 hr 30 min to 4 hr 30 min | Severe |
| Black 2 | 0.5 km | +143 m / -9 m | 25 to 35 min | Severe |
| Black 3 | 0.3 km | +98 m / -20 m | 15 to 25 min | Severe |
| Black 4 | 0.4 km | +90 m / -20 m | 20 to 30 min | Severe |
Each route is a section between named waypoints, so most hikes combine several colours and you walk some sections back the other way. The climb and descent figures are for walking the section in the mapped direction.
What the colours mean
| Grade | Who it suits | Terrain |
|---|---|---|
| Green (easy) | Beginners, families and novice runners | Wide, mostly flat gravel tracks along the valley and lakes |
| Blue (moderate) | Intermediate walkers and runners | Steady climbs on rocky paths, loose gravel on descents |
| Red (difficult) | Proficient hikers; hiking poles advised | Short, steep climbs to ridges and viewpoints |
| Black (severe) | Experienced hikers used to technical routes; poles strongly advised | Steep, rough and exposed mountain terrain with sustained climbing |
Start points
- Starting Point, Hatta Wadi Hub: the main trailhead beside the Wadi Hub car park, with toilets, showers, cafés and an information point. Most routes begin here.
- Entry Point (west): a second access point on the western side of the network, near the Shreesha waypoint.
- Khatem Dam and the lakes: the green routes pass Khatem Dam, Leem Lake and Swan Lake, with parking and picnic spots near the dam.
- Hatta Dam: the long green route runs towards Hatta Dam, so you can walk one way and get picked up.
The official map names waypoints such as Reem, Thamaam, Washq, Jaada, Rolla, Aram, Wael, Samar, Ghaf, Dhabi, Sidaaf, Athab, Maha and Sidr after local plants and animals; they are signed on the ground, which makes it easy to check where you are. Download the official map from the Visit Hatta hiking page before you go.
Popular hikes, built from the routes
| Hike | Routes | Distance | Climb | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hatta Sign hike | Green 1, Green 4, Blue 2, back the same way | About 6 to 7 km return | About 250 m | 2 to 2.5 hours |
| Valley and lakes walk | Green 1 and Green 3 loops near the Hub | 2 to 4 km | Under 100 m | 45 to 90 minutes |
| Towards Hatta Dam | Green 2 (one way, arrange a pickup) | 8 km | About 50 m | About 2 hours |
| Beginner+ loop (as guided by ECC Adventures) | Green routes with a short blue climb | 7.8 km | About 200 m | 2.5 to 3.5 hours |
| Intermediate+ loop (as guided by ECC Adventures) | Blue, red and black sections to the 600 m peaks | 12 km | About 400 m | 5.5 to 6.5 hours |
| Black 1 mountain route | Black 1 plus the approach on green or blue routes | 7.5 km plus approach | 784 m on Black 1 alone | 4 to 6 hours in total |
The Hatta Sign hike
The classic first hike in Hatta climbs to the 19-metre HATTA letters on the hillside above the valley, with views over Hatta Dam, the farms and the Hajar mountains into Oman. From the Starting Point, follow Green 1 along the base of the hill, then Green 4, and turn uphill on Blue 2, which climbs steeply to the sign. Guides measure the whole hike at between 5.6 km and 7 km depending on the variation, with about 250 metres of climbing. There is almost no shade until the top, and the descent is on loose gravel, so take it slowly. Some hikers stop at the Hatta View café nearby.
Winter start times and the heat
| Months | Start by | Water per person | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| November to February | 8am to 9am is fine; be off the trail an hour before sunset (about 5:30pm) | 1.5 to 2 litres | Coolest months; bring a light layer for the early morning |
| October and March to April | 7am | 2 to 3 litres | Back by 11am on blue, red and black routes |
| May to September | First light only, or skip | 3 litres or more | Rock and trail temperatures become dangerous by mid-morning |
Safety and rules
- Tell someone your route and expected return time, and carry a fully charged phone and the trail map.
- Choose by colour honestly: red and black routes are steep, and poles are advised.
- Stay on marked trails: No Entry signs mark closed sections, and some ridges lie close to the Oman border, which you must not cross.
- Rain: do not hike in the wadis when rain is forecast; check the weather and any National Center of Meteorology warnings.
- Share the trail: some sections run near the mountain bike trails; watch for riders near the Hub.
- Leave no trace: take all rubbish back and use the facilities at Wadi Hub.
- Emergencies: call 999 and give the nearest waypoint name from the signs.
What to bring
- Water (see the table above) and electrolytes.
- Trail shoes with grip; the descents are loose gravel.
- Sun hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.
- Hiking poles for red and black routes.
- A snack, a small first-aid kit and a head torch if there is any chance of finishing late.
Guided hikes
Local operators based at Wadi Hub run guided hikes. Hatta Outdoor’s Hatta Sign hike costs AED 99 a person (5.6 km, about 250 m of climbing), and it also runs the longer Skyline Trail along 10 km of exposed ridges and night hikes. Dubai-based groups such as ECC Adventures run a Beginner+ loop of 7.8 km with 200 m of climbing and an Intermediate+ loop of 12 km with 400 m, from about AED 200 for adults and AED 150 for children, with transport from Dubai at extra cost. Wadi Hub itself is run by Hatta Resorts, part of Dubai Holding.
More trails around Hatta
Dubai Municipality has built more than 86 km of mountain trails around Hatta, with 21 cycling routes and 17 walking paths, 14 rest stops and 9 wooden bridges. The Hatta Wadi Hub trail centre also rents mountain bikes for Hatta’s 50 km bike network, and Hatta Heritage Village is a short drive away.
- Hiking in the UAE: the best trails by level.
- Al Rabi trail, Khor Fakkan: an easy hike to a watchtower.
- Jebel Jais: the UAE’s highest mountain.
- Things to do in Hatta: a full day plan.
Hatta hiking trails FAQs
How many hiking trails are there in Hatta?
The official Hatta hiking map has 18 waymarked routes from Hatta Wadi Hub: 4 green, 3 blue, 6 red and 4 black, totalling 40.6 km.
Are the Hatta hiking trails free?
Yes. The waymarked trails and parking at Hatta Wadi Hub are free. Guided hikes cost extra.
How long is the Hatta Sign hike?
About 6 to 7 km return from Hatta Wadi Hub via Green 1, Green 4 and Blue 2, with roughly 250 metres of climbing. Allow 2 to 2.5 hours.
What is the easiest hike in Hatta?
The green routes. Green 1, Green 3 and Green 4 are 1 to 1.7 km each, and Green 2 is a flat 8 km walk towards Hatta Dam.
What is the hardest trail in Hatta?
Black 1, a 7.5 km mountain route with 784 metres of climbing and 704 metres of descent, for experienced hikers with poles.
When is the best time to hike in Hatta?
From November to March, starting early in the morning. In summer, hike only at first light, if at all, because the trails have almost no shade.