‘World’s Coolest Winter’: Hatta’s diverse tourism map unveils a world of charm through creative projects
Eco and adventure offerings are drawing winter travellers across UAE and overseas
DUBAI – Hatta, Dubai’s mountainous enclave, is gaining renewed momentum as one of the UAE’s most distinctive winter tourism destinations, driven by a fast-expanding portfolio of creative projects rooted in nature, adventure and heritage.
Set among rugged peaks, wadis and historic landmarks, the area is being promoted this season under the sixth edition of the ‘World’s Coolest Winter’ campaign, held under the slogan ‘Our winter is entrepreneurial’.
Led by the Ministry of Economy and Tourism in cooperation with national tourism, culture and heritage authorities, the campaign highlights how tourism projects are stimulating local enterprise while drawing growing numbers of domestic and international visitors during the UAE’s peak winter period.
Winter in Hatta
The winter months traditionally mark the peak season for the destination, when mild temperatures make outdoor activities and eco tourism particularly appealing.
Visitor flows increase as hiking, cycling and water sports take centre stage, supported by a growing network of facilities that include rest areas, food kiosks, cafes and recreational spaces. These are located along internationally designed trails and near major attractions such as the Hatta Sustainable Waterfalls, which have become a focal point for visitors looking to combine scenery with leisure.
Tourism map
Hatta’s tourism infrastructure has been built around its dramatic landscape, with mountain bike routes, walking paths and trekking trails weaving through valleys and across ridges. Dubai Municipality has developed what is now the longest mountain bike track and walking trail network in the UAE, comprising 21 cycling tracks that extend 53 kilometres and 17 walking trails covering 33 kilometres. The project also includes nine wooden bridges and 14 rest areas equipped with integrated services, allowing visitors to explore the area safely and comfortably over long distances.
Water based attractions add another layer to the experience. Kayaking at Hatta Dam Lake, one of the largest water bodies in the region, has emerged as a flagship activity, drawing both casual paddlers and sports enthusiasts. Nearby Leem Lake offers a quieter setting, surrounded by mountains and farms that reflect the enclave’s agricultural roots. Resorts and camping sites located around these water features provide a variety of accommodation choices, from eco lodges and domes to caravans and hotels, enabling visitors to stay immersed in the landscape.
World’s Coolest Winter
The World’s Coolest Winter campaign, led by the Ministry of Economy and Tourism in cooperation with national tourism, culture and heritage authorities, uses these projects to underline the importance of entrepreneurship in tourism development.
By encouraging Emirati and resident entrepreneurs to launch innovative ventures, the initiative aims to enrich the country’s tourism offering while creating new economic opportunities in destinations such as Hatta.
Honey heritage
One of Hatta’s most prominent investment stories centres on Emirati honey, which has reached international standards in both quality and purity. A number of initiatives are dedicated to preserving and sustaining the indigenous Emirati honeybee through selective breeding and structured development programmes, ensuring the continuity of a practice that is both environmentally and economically significant.
The annual Hatta Honey Festival has become a cornerstone of this effort. It brings together production, education, laboratory testing and retail in a single platform, while also offering family friendly activities that turn the event into a tourism draw. The December 2025 edition featured more than 50 honey producers alongside 10 booths run by productive families, showcasing varieties such as sidr, talh, samar and seasonal honey that are closely associated with the UAE’s natural environment.
A major landmark supporting this sector is the Hatta Honeybee Garden and Discovery Centre, which spans 16,000 square metres and is the first facility of its kind in the Middle East and North Africa. Established in 2018, it houses more than 300 beehives set among native trees and plants. The centre plays a vital role in raising awareness about beekeeping heritage, biodiversity protection and food security, while also serving as an educational attraction for visitors interested in sustainable agriculture.
Adventure scene
Hatta has also evolved into a regional hub for endurance and adventure sports, with a calendar that includes local and international events throughout the year. Mountain hiking and trekking continue to attract participants looking for physical challenges in a natural setting, while organised races bring global attention to the destination.
The Spartan Race in Hatta is among the most high profile of these events. In 2023, it drew more than 3,500 participants, including 900 international athletes, and attracted over 5,000 spectators, according to figures released by the Dubai Sports Council, which organised the competition. Such events not only boost visitor numbers during the winter season but also reinforce Hatta’s reputation as a venue for world class endurance challenges.
Complementing these activities are integrated destinations such as Hatta Resort and Hatta Wadi Hub, which combine accommodation with access to hiking trails, water activities and panoramic views of Hatta Dam. The availability of eco lodges, domes, caravans and more conventional hotel rooms ensures that a wide spectrum of travellers, from adventure tourists to families, can find suitable places to stay.
Kayaking at Hatta Dam has its own entrepreneurial story. The attraction began as an innovative idea by two Emirati entrepreneurs and received support from the Mohammed bin Rashid Establishment for SME Development. It has since grown into a regional hub for paddle sports, illustrating how small business initiatives can develop into major tourism assets when backed by strategic support.
Green spaces
Beyond adventure and honey production, Hatta’s farms and parks provide another dimension to its appeal. Palm farms near the Heritage Village and Hill Park, which was established in 2004, are popular for picnics, outdoor gatherings and barbecues, offering elevated viewpoints and wide open green areas. These spaces are particularly busy during the winter months, when families and groups take advantage of the cooler climate.
The rise in visitor numbers has driven demand for food and beverage outlets, especially around Hatta Dam and the sustainable waterfalls. Dubai Municipality continues to support local entrepreneurs through kiosks and small restaurant projects that promote local cuisine and provide opportunities for productive families to participate in the tourism economy.
In August 2025, the Supreme Committee for the Development of Hatta announced 14 new commercial and investment opportunities through Dubai Municipality. These included four restaurants and retail outlets along with six food and beverage units, reflecting a broader strategy to stimulate economic activity while enhancing the visitor experience.