Short Hikes in Muscat Are So Famous, But Why?

Hikes in Muscat

Being the land of mountains, oases, and seas, Oman is a country of scenic beauty. This place is like a heaven for adventure lovers and exploration seekers. Out of all adventures, hike in Oman is very popular nowadays. Especially in its capital city Muscat, people are more prone to visit the hiking trails on holidays. There are several hiking trails here and hiking in Muscat is a signature activity of adventure lovers. The short hikes near Muscat are very popular due to their short distance and easier features.

In this article, we will tell you about some of the most popular hiking trails in Muscat. Go through till the end. You will have your answer to this- why short hikes in Muscat are so popular?

1.Crossing Muscat Mountains

Overview

Crossing Muscat Mountains will give you some splendid landscapes and excellent views of the Rocky Mountains. You will also see some breathtaking wadis along the way. At the starting point, there are a few attractions and exploring areas. You can take a break for the next adventurous part here. 

In early February, plenty of rain occurs here. If you visit that time, you will see lots of colorful flowers blooming and green sceneries. It is an unusual and rare phenomenon considering the weather and nature of Muscat.

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How to Go

This trail is easy to follow, being very close to Muscat. If you want to measure the distance from Muscat airport, it will take only about 20 minutes to reach the start of the hike. Here is the link to the trail. 

Hike Parameters

The trail starts from Al Ḩammām and ends at Al Amarat. It is through a road that they previously used to prepare an overhead power line. Technically you may find it a road since Google Maps will show you the driving route. However, in practice, some of the places are impassable for storing water due to heavy rain. 

The total distance of this trail is about 13 kilometers. It will take four to five hours to complete the tracking at the usual speed. However, there will be a total of 700 meters of vertical step up. Though it doesn’t require a professional fitness standard, some good fitness will help you cross it easily. The overhead power lines may create hazards. However, without them, this fantastic hiking trail would not have been possible.

Time: 4-5 hours

Length: 13 Kilometers

Difficulty: Medium

Distance from Muscat: 10 kilometers

Safety Tips

The road being one-way only, you need another car waiting for you at the end of the route. It may seem a bit inconvenient. But trust me, the sceneries and the experience will be worth every penny. 

2.Riyam-Muttrah Hike

Overview

If you want to enjoy the early morning and late afternoon in the calmest possible way, choosing the Riyam-Muttrah hike is probably the wisest choice. It is a suitable destination for people who don’t have enough time to spend their weekends. This place is pretty old and will take you back 40 years ago to a simple and quiet life. 

This place has some splendid views to offer while crossing Riyam Park Hike, Muttrah Hike, and also the seashore to observe from the top.

How to Go

It is right at the heart of Muscat. The better option is to start from Riyam Park and move forward to Muttrah through hiking. You can also start from the reverse.

Hike Parameters

This place contains two trails for hikers, both will take around 1.5-2 hours to reach the end. The hike is comparatively easy. The older one consists of some uphill and downhill areas. It will take you to some small pools. You will see some slippery rocks on the way so, be careful if you choose it. It finishes near Muttrah Souq. 

The other trail is flat and offers a close and different view of Riyam Park, which will end near the palace. Both of these two hikes are easy. You can complete them with any fitness level even with your kids. Riyam Hike is a suitable hiking spot for beginners. In the starting, it may seem a bit steep and may have the problem of adjustment. However, you will get a clear view and some easy ways down in the bisecting point at the top. You will find both trails marked with arrows with three-colored hiking flags to get the direction from the very beginning. 

Time: 1.5-2 hours

Length: 2.3 miles

Difficulty: Easy

Distance from Muscat: 0 Kilometer

Safety Tips

If you visit this place after a heavy shower, you may get a lot of standing water. It would be better to wear waterproof boots. Try avoiding the rainy season is a wise decision. Going earlier in the morning or late afternoon is better to avoid the heat. Always take a hat and sunscreen and keep yourself hydrated with juice or tea at the end.

3.Al khoudh Trek 

Overview

Wadi Al Khoudh Hike is another attractive hiking spot between mountains and meadows. Combined with water bodies and green sceneries, this place will give some splendid views and charm your mind in no time. The short hike is completely worth compared to the relaxing environment it will provide. The place will bring some memorizing and quality time after this hike.

How to Go

Follow Muscat Express Road and go through the exit of AL Khoudh Village crossing Sultan Qaboos University. It will take around 30 minutes from Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque to Al Khoudh Trail.

Hike Parameters

Al Khoudh Hike is such a hiking trail that you can finish without being tired at all. The total trail is about 3.7 miles long. The elevation is about 85 feet. Al Khoudh trail has a long ladder of aluminum at a point at the edge of the mountain. You will need to climb down to finish it. The hike ends near a wadi. There is a small but beautiful valley. If you go after the rainy season, you will get adequate water. The water here is cold. This place is perfect for relaxing with solidarity. You will sit calmly and enjoy the beautiful scenery around you.

Time: 3 hours

Length: 3.7 miles

Difficulty: Easy

Distance from Muscat: 30 kilometers

Safety Tips

You will need a 4×4 car. Else, your vehicle may get stuck in the middle to drive into the Wadi. Try to come back before evening since the exit path will be hard to find in the dark.

4.Ghala Flag Hike 

Overview

Ghala Flag hike can be a great way to enjoy the splendid Omani mountains views and geological features. From the top, you will get to enjoy the breathtaking sceneries of the city along with the beautiful Ghala Village standing near each other. You will also see Bousher Sand Dunes from a distant view. Overall, it is a great place to get the real feelings of Omani mountains with much fewer physical works. 

How to Go

Ghala Hike is one of the nearest hiking spots inside Muscat. You can reach here within 20-30 minutes by driving. You can find it here in Google Map.

Hike Parameters

Wadi Ghala Hike is mostly uphill climbing at quite an elevation not much difficult and suitable for beginners. However, at 400 meters upwards, you will face challenges if your stamina is not that great. It looks steeper for the sun rays that will fall directly on you. 

This hiking consists of three connecting points having flag indications of the trails. Anyone can finish all of them with standard fitness. Most of the places are bare. You will hardly get any shade to relax. However, you will find two hot springs below the mountain. You can relax here and cool yourself down after the hike with some medicinal advantages.

Time: 2-3 hours

Length: Around 3 kilometers

Difficulty: Easy

Distance from Muscat: 10 kilometers

Safety Tips

Start the hike as early as possible and try to reach the top before sunrise to get rid of extreme hot sun rays. Also, don’t forget to take sunscreen and the necessary water with you.

5.Sidab Hike 

Overview

If you want to enjoy the breathtaking ocean views, adventurous cliff hiking, and going on top of a mountain crossing a steep path, Sidab Coastal Trek will get everything covered. During the hike, the cliffside trail will give you a panoramic view around. You get to see the ocean and Muttrah Sea Road from this place along with Al Bustan Hotel. 

The more you go down the road will take you to pebble beaches. The first one contains a pyramid-shaped rock that offers a beautiful background to capture some memorable pictures. This place has many attractions to offer. Crossing the whole path will show you all of them. 

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How to Go

Sidab Trail is another spot located at the heart of Muscat city. It is only a few kilometers from the city’s Al Alam Palace and takes at best 20-30 minutes to reach there. Here is the Shidab Hike location on Google Map. 

Hike Parameters

The whole hiking trail is about 3 kilometers and well-marked everywhere so the travelers can get directions. Depending on your ability, it will take a few hours to cover. This hike will be easy for those who have a decent fitness level. If your fitness is not that good, you will face many challenging situations since it is steep and slippery.

You will find some tombs and cemeteries here. After the first one, there is an aluminum ladder for climbing upwards for a few meters. The trail is hard up to this distance. Once you cross this, the rest of the paths are relatively easier for beginners.  

You get to see the beat view after crossing the second mountain. Here a famous rock is situated with an elephant-shaped structure that attracts tourists. The trail ends in another cemetery comparatively older than the rest. You can take a break and sit relaxed enjoying the countless waves and beautiful sceneries around.

Time: 4 hours

Length: 3 kilometers

Difficulty: Medium

Distance from Muscat: 26 kilometers

Safety Tips

Avoid this place in the rainy season or after heavy rain. It gets too slippery and can be dangerous. Try to go early in the morning or in the afternoon to void sun rays and enjoy the surrounding nature fullest.

6.Wadi Kabir Hike

Overview

Wadi Al Kabir Trail is a perfect destination if you are looking for a peaceful environment with some beautiful mountain overviews. In English, it means Great Valley. It is one of the most popular hiking destinations where people can go with their families comfortably. Apart from hiking, this place is full of attractions like National Museum, Al Alam Palace, Royal Opera House, Al Qurum, Al Hamra Village, and many more. 

This place is famous for hiking and mountain biking. There are yellow, red, and white flags as route indicators. You can try them from two different coordinates- one from Al Hamriya and another from the Qantab side. Always stick with the hiking trail will get you to the viewpoint easily and quickly. 

From the ridgeline, you will see some of the breathtaking and splendid views around. Standing on the walkways, you will see the gorgeous views of Wadi Kabir, its beautiful white buildings. The environment here is always peaceful, calm, and quiet. The opposite side will show the neighboring mountains and the trail you hiked. 

Don’t forget to stay till the afternoon since enjoying the sunset between the silhouette mountains would be the best experience of this tour.  

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How to Go

Wadi Kabir is located near Ruwi in Muscat in the North-Eastern portion of the country. Any 4WD vehicle will easily take you there. See the location here. Several parking spots are there in this place and you can park anywhere at your convenience.

Hike Parameters

Reaching the main viewpoint will require crossing about 2 miles of a hiking trail. The average elevation is about 328 ft and it is one of the easiest hiking trails. You can go there with your family and kids.

Going to the Wadi Kabir or Qantab Hike Viewpoint will require a bit of climbing. Some places may be slippery. You will find loose stones here and there. Yet it is easy for normal people and you can cross it without much hassle. On top of the hill is a flat area with beautiful walkways. 

Time: 2 hours

Length: 2 miles

Difficulty: Easy

Distance from Muscat: 26 kilometers

Safety Tips

When you drive upwards, watch around carefully since it is a bit risky going with a vehicle through this steep path. Try to return before evening since hiking is inconvenient at dark and the temperature fell below 20 degrees Celsius.

Saal Village Hike

Overview

This place is also known as Jabal Khoneh located on the outskirts of Damascus. It is a great place to explore and also one of the easily accessible places. You will find fantastic sinkholes made from the limestone boulder erosion inside the Wadi.

Saal village has stunning scenery with mountains everywhere with pebbles, rocks, and also gravel roads. It looks picturesque. Another side is mountainous and the high elevation will take your attention away.

You can complete the seven kilometers summit upwards by walking or jogging through the hill on the other side of the village. It will be an adventurous climb but a total joyful memory. This village will also offer you some breathtaking views. If you visit this place, then it’s pretty much sure that he will go back making tons of memories. There are beautiful landscapes and amazing backgrounds that you can capture pictures of anywhere.

How to Go

From Muscat, the distance of Saal Village is about 46 kilometers. It will require about 45 minutes to reach here from Muscat. You will find the hiking starting point in the Google Map. You can go there with a four-wheel drive or any vehicle having the competency to travel on High Road.

Hike Parameters

Saal Village Hike is, however, not free of challenges. You can divide the two kilometers hike into two parts. The first half is a dirt road and the latter half is 600 cement stairs to get back down. The dirt path is quite slippery. You have to be careful about putting your feet since some places are slippery and may create danger. Hiking is more like exercise here. Many people come in groups. 

The road will be muddy and through gravel. Thereby, the competency of the vehicle is a crucial factor. Going there earlier in the morning is a wise decision. Because due to extreme sun rays, hiking will be difficult. We recommend going there before sunrise. The more you go and climb the hill, you will get momentum while crossing the downhill. However, returning downhill will be a much faster walk. 

At the end of the downhill, you will find the area of Saal Village. The total hiking will be around 3 kilometers to reach the Saal Village. Most of the population of this village live on one side. You will see several date palms and a small farmhouse there. A moderate fitness level will enable you to finish the hike comfortably. 

Time: 2.5-3.5 hours

Length: 3 kilometers

Difficulty: Medium

Distance from Muscat: 46 kilometers

Safety Tips

Taking plenty of water is a must. If you stay here till sunsets, then bring a headlamp or flashlight for convenience on the way back. 

Some Common Tips for The Short Hikes in Muscat

All of the above hiking places are relatively easier and safe. However, you can avoid any unwanted incident by following some basic rules. Do enough research about a place before choosing to go there. Previous experiences of other people can be an effective way to know about the originality of the place. 

If you are not a professional hiker, we recommend you to go with an expert team or experienced hikers. It will avoid any potential discomfort. Don’t forget to take enough water since keeping yourself hydrated is the paramount activity when you hike in Muscat. You can also take some snakes since the availability of food may not be plentiful everywhere. 

Last but not least, taking protection from sun rays. Usually, hiking takes place during the day. Oman, being a hot and sunny country, is difficult to walk through the sun. That is why taking a cap, sunglasses, and sunscreen will give you a lot of pleasure in any hike in Oman. 

Final Words

Muscat has so many things to offer and attract tourists. It is a prominent hiking destination in the country and there are so many hiking trails in Muscat. Among all other attractions, short hikes near Muscat are becoming popular day by day. The reasons are they are mostly easy and anybody can finish them without standard fitness. Moreover, they have satisfactory proximity from the city. You can cover most of them within a day. Working people, thus liking these short hikes, are more interested in them. These reasons made short hiking in Oman so popular.