Hiking and Swimming in Oman

Hiking Jebel Shams Mountain

After all the rain and clouds in Vietnam I was finally able to go back outdoors again. So hiking Jebel Shams in Oman was on my to do list and I was not disappointed.

The mountain sits in the Al Hajar Mountains range as the highest mountain of Oman, at 3009m. However, due to the actual peak being occupied by the military base, it is not accessible. And so I decided to hike the popular Balcony Walk (W6/W6a track) instead. Click here for the map.

I started at the bottom at the small village Ghul (Wadi Ghul), hiking the W6a. Passing the abandoned villages of Ghul at the beginning the track itself went pretty much uphill nonstop. It certainly wasn’t a walk for beginners.

Personally I would rate it an intermediate hike, but given I had 3 months off in East Asia it was a good start to my 2019 hiking season. There was no actual trail to follow and you create your own path as long as you follow the marking (red-white-yellow).

The Hike

The mountains in Oman look definitely stunning as a backdrop to the scenery (as mentioned in previous blog I call it ‘wrinkled skin’), but there is otherwise not much to the mountains itself. There is no greenery and definitely no shade, but that is also part of its rugged charm. The walk itself is stepping on big and small loose rocks so you definitely had to watch your step.

It was challenging but also totally enjoyable. I was glad to be outdoors again, enjoying the fresh mountain air. And after 1.5 hours, and an ascend of almost 500m, I have reached the ‘Grand Canyon of Oman’ view. The scenery and landscape was absolutely breathtaking and well worth the sweat and toil.

I made my way back after taking some stunning shots as the hike itself took longer than expected. I turned back early as I certainly didn’t want to be stuck in the middle of some high mountains but luckily it is Winter in Oman so the temperatures are not too hot. As I do the hiking more for the activity and the fun, I was quite pleased with my achievement for the day. It took me another 1.5 hours to get back to the car.

HIKING TIP
If you want to do an easier walk and start at the Al Kathim village, at 1900m altitude, you will need a 4WD to get to the car park and starting point. (Which I didn’t have).

Swimming in Oman

It is winter in Oman and the temperatures are perfect. And if it gets too hot there are plenty of opportunities for a swim. From a dip into the Gulf of Oman (Arabian Sea) or the Wadi Bani Khalid Oasis amongst the mountains, there seems to be an idyllic spot to cool off anywhere. Sometimes in unexpected places like the Bimmah Sink hole!

The ocean also looks very tempting and inviting with its stunning turquoise water. There are more rock beaches than white sand ones but given the modest dresscode in Oman, it is not really a country for sunbathing in public. I don’t mind. After all, who would have thought I would be swimming in the Gulf of Oman just a few weeks ago?

There is soo much to this country, I am glad I came to see it. Put it on your ‘must visit’ list please. One more blog about Muscat and Sur to come! Xx