Traveling to Oman - 7 best places to hike

For the adventurous and trekkers, Oman's desert terrain and rocky cliffs provide a unique landscape for enjoying nature.

It's a great place for both long and short day hikes, thanks to beautiful mountain ranges like Al Hajar that provide much-needed breeze and coolness in hot weather.

Here are the top 7 hiking spots in Oman:

1. Jebel Shams

Jebel Shams in the Al Hajar mountain range is the highest mountain in the country. The northern part is a restricted area, usually used as a military base, in the south the path is open to the public.

Travelers wander through the vast rocky terrain. The view, however, is spectacular as it overlooks Wadi Ghul, also known as the Grand Canyon of Oman.

Required time: depending on the route chosen, the hike can take from 2 to 7 hours.

2. Wadi Ghul

This majestic canyon has rock walls with many small cracks that provide various uphill routes for some memorable Oman trekking.

Stunning scenery stretches as far as you can see, with sparse shrubbery and complex topography. The canyon leads to the abandoned city of Sap Bani Khamis, which still has the ruins of stone houses. While here, you will enjoy a taste of ancient village life in Oman.

Required time: about 4 hours.

3. Jebel Akhdar

In addition to being the highest mountain in the country, the Jebel Akhdar mountain range has elaborate Persian steps that are believed to have acted as a barrier against ancient armies. The lush greenery includes fruit trees such as apricots, pomegranates, peaches and grapes.

Ancient tribes such as the Bani Riyam are still kept here. Due to the beautiful flora, the place was made a nature reserve in 2011 by the Sultan.

Time Required: Exploring this range of mountains will take about 5 hours.

4 Majlis Al Jinn

Roughly speaking, "a place for geniuses", Majlis Al Jinn offers a truly magical journey to the second largest cave on Earth. It is located near Wadi Arbain and is located on the Selma plateau.

After a steep winding road, Majlis Al Jinn is accessed through openings in the upper part of the cave formed by rainwater dissolving the limestone roof.

Reaching the cave requires special rope and equipment, and has become a popular BASE jumping spot in recent years. Training continues for almost 6 hours before you can set off on this adventurous hike in Oman.

Time Required: The actual descent into the cave takes almost 15 minutes with sufficient practice.

5. Wadi Shab

For those who like to enjoy a cool swim after an action-packed hike, Wadi Shab is the place to be. This hike takes you through palm-lined landscapes and narrow cliffs ending in a hidden cave with a waterfall inside.

Reaching the cave requires a short swim through the boulders, although boat trips are sometimes possible. It is best to avoid this hike during the monsoons.

Time Required: On a good day, it will take you about an hour from the car park to get to the waters.

6. Wadi Kamah

This trail has a winding road that begins with short drops and bouldering. After a pleasant descent, this hike involves navigating many rocks and clear waters. During the monsoons, these basins rise to great heights.

The trail includes the abandoned village of Tat al Sinn. This is a well laid out path that offers a fun hike for new hikers. Families and people with disabilities can also explore Oman outdoors on this easier route.

7. Jebel Samhan

This road leads to the Jebel Samhan Nature Reserve in the Dhofar region of Oman. A permit is required to use it, but for hikers who would like to explore the mountains, this is a rewarding day trip.

The journey starts from Tawi Attair, which is a deep pit, after which you can head up to Taiq Cave, a limestone complex. Along the way you can find unique flora like the desert rose. Unlike other tourist destinations, Jebel Samhan offers a panoramic view of the beautiful coast of Oman.

Best time for hiking in Oman

Hiking seasons start in September and usually end in May when summer arrives. However, the best time to hike in Oman is from October to April, when the winter chill intensifies the thrill of reaching the top of the mountain.

There are new hiking trails that are marked out every season to meet the growing demands of tourists, both domestic and foreign.

The best travel clubs and operators in Oman

There are many hiking clubs in the country that explore hiking trails. You can go on independent hikes. These clubs have experienced guides who are experts in the area and will help you have a great time (and safely!).

Some popular clubs:

• Wadi Walkers
• Oman Mountain Club
• Canyon Adventures.

Travel tips for Oman

• Don't forget to travel with plenty of food and water. Oman is quite a hot country and it is easy to get dehydrated while hiking.
• Most of the trails are well flagged, but some can be quite slippery with loose rocks, so it's important to wear good shoes.
• Because of the fauna in these mountain ranges, long trousers are recommended. In some situations, snakes have also been known to bite tourists.
• Oman cares about being an environmentally friendly country. Some of the trekking routes, such as Jebel Samhan, are located in nature reserves. When hiking, take a spare trash bag with you so you don't litter the trails.
• Don't damage any of the plants along the way and don't pollute the waterways.

If you follow these tips, hiking in Oman should be smooth!