Hikes & Trails
across Oman

Riyam, Muttrah · 3.7 km · 1–1.5 hrs

The most popular city hike in Muscat. Stone steps climb from Riyam Park toward the Mutrah corniche viewpoint with two stone gazebos offering stunning panoramic views of the Arabian Sea, fishing dhows, and Muttrah Souq.

Old Muscat · 4.7 km · 1–1.5 hrs

A self-guided walk through the historic heart of Old Muscat, passing the Muscat Gate Museum, Christian Cemetery, Fort Rawiah, Royal Family Graves, ancient Hindu Temples, and the Palace grounds.

Sidab Village, Old Muscat · 2.2 km · 1–3 hrs

A thrilling coastal trail from the traditional fishing village of Sidab. Rocky scrambling over boulders leads to two secret secluded beaches. Known locally as 'Devil's Gap' at the trickiest section.

Qantab Village · 1–2 km · 1–2 hrs

A short but seriously challenging steep ascent from Qantab village to the flag post at the summit. The trail is marked with blue paint. From the top, 360-degree views of Jumeira Muscat Bay and the surrounding mountains.

Yiti Village · 0.5 km · 15–20 mins

A short and easy walk from limited parking to one of the most spectacular viewpoints in southeast Muscat. Overlooks the dramatic coastline and rugged desert mountains meeting the sea.

Kalbuh, Muttrah · 1.5 km · 45 mins

A short scramble up the rocks above Kalbuh Park for panoramic views of the sea and mountains. Almost no tourists come here — a genuinely local experience in the shadow of Mutrah Fort.

Ghala / Bausher · 4 km · 1.5 hrs

Mountain hike near Ghala on the outskirts of Muscat. Follow signs for Jebel Heed, continue past a palm farm then climb for a round summit route with good city views from the top.

Ghala Industrial Area · 5 km · 2 hrs

Follows an old pylon track up to a ridge overlooking the wadi. Steeply undulating route with a good workout. Not well marked — useful to follow a GPS track.

Al Amerat / Hamriya · 6 km · 2.5 hrs

Mountain crossing from Amerat to Hamriya on the Yiti road. Wild and remote walking on ancient goat tracks with rock markings and graves along the route. You will not see another person on this trail.

Fanja, Muscat outskirts · 3.6 km · 1–2 hrs

An iconic Muscat hike featuring approximately 700 ancient stone steps hand-carved by local villagers — once used as a donkey path between mountain villages and the valley floor. A cave sits near the summit.

Riyam Park, Muttrah · 3 km · 1.5 hrs

The alternative upper route from Riyam Park toward the cable car station. Offers elevated views of Muttrah Corniche and the Fish Souk. Much quieter than the main C38 trail.

Tiwi, Al Sharqiyah · 6 km · 3–4 hrs

Oman's most iconic wadi hike. A short boat crossing leads to a canyon walk with three crystal-clear swimming pools. Ends at a hidden cave with a waterfall inside — completely unmissable.

Quriyat, SE Muscat · 7.9 km · 5 hrs

The most challenging trail in the Muscat area and the highest elevation gain of any nearby hike. Rock-hopping through a deep canyon with turquoise pools, waterfalls, and clear water year-round.

Bandar Al Khairan · 14.2 km · 4–4.5 hrs

One of the greatest hikes near Muscat. Crosses the arid Hajar Mountains on an ancient donkey path, revealing the turquoise fjord-like coves of Al Khairan from the summit.

Sifah / Quriyat · 21.4 km · 5.5–6 hrs

The longest trail in the Muscat Governorate. The first 5–7km involve brutally steep terrain with unstable rocks — for experienced hikers only. Beyond the hills it becomes a stunning coastal walk.

Wadi Bani Awf, Al Batinah · 5 km · 2.5 hrs

A narrow gorge carved through the Hajar Mountains with natural waterslides, deep pools and cliff jumping. One of the most thrilling hikes near Muscat.

Quriyat · 8 km · 3–4 hrs

A lesser-known rim walk above Quriyat fishing village with sweeping views of the Gulf of Oman. Cliff edge trail with sea on one side and rocky peaks on the other.

Bandar Al Khairan · 1 km · 30 mins

A hidden coastal viewpoint above Bandar Al Khairan almost completely unknown outside the local hiking community. Orange cliffs drop to turquoise water below.

Quriyat · Varies · Half day to full day

Hiking and exploration around Oman's largest dam and the dramatic Wadi Dayqah canyon. Towering rock walls, deep blue-green reservoir water, and shaded picnic areas.

Tiwi, Al Sharqiyah · Varies · Half day

A stunning green valley cutting through the Al Hajar mountains with terraced farms, palm groves, and crystal clear pools. Less crowded than Wadi Shab — feels wilder and more remote.

Al Sharqiyah · 2–4 km · Half day

One of Oman's most accessible and beautiful wadis with water flowing year-round. Turquoise pools perfect for swimming surrounded by dramatic limestone scenery.

Jebel Akhdar · Varies · Half day

Jebel Akhdar, the Green Mountain, rises over 2,000 metres in the Al Hajar range. Viewpoints look out over dramatic canyon terraces, ancient rose gardens, and traditional villages on cliffsides.

Jebel Shams · Varies · 3–4 hrs

The rim walk at Jebel Shams follows the edge of Oman's Grand Canyon — a 1,000 metre deep gorge with views that stretch to the horizon. One of the most spectacular walks in the Arabian Peninsula.

Al Khitaym, Jebel Shams · 8 km · 3–6 hrs

The iconic W6 Balcony Walk follows the rim of Wadi Ghul — the 'Grand Canyon of Arabia' — along unguarded cliff edges with drops exceeding 1,000 metres. Ends at the abandoned cliffside village of As Sab.

Wadi Nakhur, Al Hamra · 14.4 km · 5 hrs

A canyon-floor loop through Wadi Nakhur — Oman's Grand Canyon — where 1,000-metre walls rise straight from the wadi bed. Flowing water and natural pools accompany the entire route to the green village of An Nakhar.

Wakan Village, Wadi Mistal · 5.1 km · 1.5–2 hrs

A scenic mountain trail through the terraced farms of Wakan Village, climbing 657 well-paved steps through pomegranate, fig, and olive orchards irrigated by a traditional falaj water channel to a panoramic canyon viewpoint.

Wadi Bani Khalid area, Al Sharqiyah · 7 km · 3.5–4.5 hrs

A rugged canyon trek through one of Al Sharqiyah's least-crowded gorges involving boulder-hopping, swimming through turquoise pools, narrow slot passages, and a natural limestone waterslide polished smooth by centuries of flowing water.

Al Kamil, Al Sharqiyah · 3 km · 45 mins – 1.5 hrs

A short, easy wadi walk through date palm farms and along an ancient falaj irrigation channel that opens onto a beautiful sea-green natural pool surrounded by date trees and limestone mountains.

Al Sharqiyah South, near Sur · 5 km · 2–3 hrs

A lesser-known wadi walk descending through a rocky limestone gorge to a series of natural pools. Involves moderate scrambling over boulders and through narrow canyon sections, rewarding hikers with cool swimming pools far from the crowds of nearby Wadi Shab.

Amerat, Muscat · 4 km · 1–2 hrs

A family-friendly wadi walk in Amerat, locally known as Duck Park for the ducks that gather at its pools. The easy trail follows the wadi bed through dramatic rocky hills with shallow pools and excellent birdwatching — one of the closest nature walks to central Muscat.

Madha exclave, Musandam · 7 km · 2–3 hrs

A fascinating canyon hike inside Madha — a remarkable 75 km² Omani exclave completely surrounded by UAE territory — leading through limestone gorges to seasonal waterfalls, natural pools, and ancient banyan trees.

Al Awabi, Al Batinah · 18 km · 6–8 hrs

One of Oman's most spectacular long-day hikes — 18 km round-trip through the lush mountain wadi of Bani Kharus from Al Alyah village to the legendary Kour Al Ghaba (Forest Path) waterfall, with 700m of elevation gain.

Al Khoud, Muscat · 6–8 km · 3–4 hrs

One of Muscat's most rewarding mountain-to-wadi hikes, climbing through rocky terrain to a panoramic sunrise viewpoint before descending via a 30-foot painted ladder into the wadi below, ending at a shaded pool ideal for a post-hike dip.

Jebel Shams area · 4–6 km · Half day

The dramatic canyon at the foot of Jebel Shams — Oman's Grand Canyon. The gorge descends over 1,000 metres and the views from the rim are jaw-dropping in every direction.