Friday 19 / April / 2024
We are taking you on an exhilarating road trip through Western Hajar Mountains. Leave the fast-paced life behind and get back to slower times, beautiful people and wilder places.
Drive the dirt tracks of the wadis and mountains and be invigorated by the dramatic geography, blue skies, fresh air, crystal clear mountain oases, mystic caves, soaring mountain peaks, beautiful villages set on rocky mountain terraces, a sprinkling of wildlife, cool wadis and a more relaxed way of life.
Have lunch overlooking a picture postcard village or in the shade of an orchard by the side of a stream. Share a canyon road with a group of enthusiastic mountain bikers. Pass through lush valleys, rimmed by the cloud kissing colourful stone mountains.
Enjoy panoramic views of the impressive gorges or access the deepest canyon in Arabia – with wildlife viewing, geological wonders, and exhilarating outdoor adventure. Life is a lot more exciting on the mountain roads.
Inland from Muscat, Highway 15 winds up into the craggy Hajar Mountains, Oman’s geological backbone. Spanning from Musandam to Sur, the Hajar Mountain ranges provides one of Oman’s most gorgeous views.
The region southwest of Muscat is home to the Hajar’s highest and most dramatic section, often described as the Western Hajar, or Al Hajar Al Gharbi.
Few visitors to the country bother to explore beyond the luxury hotels and private beaches of Muscat, but a network of new roads is making it easier to head off into its high ranges in search of ruined forts, remote villages, terraces vegetation, cool air, and dramatic canyons.
The wadis are the key to understanding Omani life outside of Muscat. Till recent times they have been many things: roads when they are dry, places to wash and bathe and play when the rains come and they are wet.
Our route is Wadi Bani Awf, Al Hamra, Misfat Al Abriyeen, the ancient city of Nizwa, and back to Muscat – the mountain crossing circular route.
The Wadi Bani Awf-Al Hamra is possibly the most scenic route in the Hajar Mountains, and a long drive requiring at least 4 hours and a reliable WD even if it is only 70km long.
Because it passes through some remote areas it is strongly advised to bring a spare tyre and jack, warm clothing, and extra food and water. It is equally scenic to complete this itinerary in reverse. With new resorts coming up along the route, and many camping sites, the road could enable a major exploration of the mountains.
From Highway 13, look out for the signpost after you pass Al Awabi and take the road to Wadi Bani Awf. Now the wadi track has been made into asphalt and concrete road limiting the thrill of wadi driving.
Wadi Bani Awf is one of the most spectacular and dramatic wadis in Oman with towering cliffs on either sides and enchanting orchards, crops of banana, orange, wild fig and lime by the way. You will pass through many climbing routes and camping spots, and small settlements such as Al Qasmitayn, Al Rakhah, and Tikhah.
Go straight another 3km and turn left at the junction, which has two huge signboards bearing the names of a lot of interesting places. In another 3km you will reach the entrance of Little Snake Canyon on the right. Stop there for a break and explore the canyon.
After the village of Az Zammah, which has green fields, the road begins a steep ascent towards right. The entrance to the incredible Snake Gorge, a popular destination for adventure hikers and climbers, will be on your left.
If you intend to hike here, it is best to park your car just below the entrance to the village. The canyon trip takes about three hours and is a mix of swimming, jumping down a few metres from rock ledges into pools and walking in a rough gorge. You cannot go up anywhere to cut it short and once you jump down into the first pool you cannot turn back either.
This part of the track should be covered with extra care as it is has steep climbs and descents, sharp curves and deep gorge on one side. Check weather conditions before you leave and do not attempt the journey during or after rains.
The road is quite steep with 45 degree climbs at some points and more than 1,000 foot valleys all long. The narrow road which is barely enough at some points for two cars to pass by needs some mountain driving experience and it’s not for the faint hearted.
For the scenic village of Balad Sayt (Bilad Sayt), turn right at the next junction. The village, hidden away between the mountains, is well worth a visit.
With its picture-postcard perfection of terraced fields and sun-baked houses, it’s one of the prettiest villages in Oman. The villagers prefer visitors to park outside and walk in or simply view the village from a distance.
You have to come back to the junction to proceed to Al Hamra. The track goes near a green football pitch and you will pass through a small aloe vera forest and a stream.
The steep ascent begins here; you will pass by Hat village. Climb further until you reach the Sharfat Al-Alamayn viewpoint, on the saddle of the ridge: this is the highest point in the road. It’s worth spending time here to enjoy the scenery, the chilling breeze and to look for wolf traps (piles of stone with a slate trap door) before heading to the traditional and amazing villages of Misfat Al Abriyeen via Al Hamra.
With endless miles of rocky wilderness — perfect for 4 x 4 wheel, wadi and dune bashing treks as well as rock climbing, abseiling and hiking – no other Gulf region offers such a diverse range of great outdoor adventures across a striking terrain that travels back 500 million years of geological time.
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Tips for Safe Mountain Driving:
• Bring food, water, and emergency gear
• Beware of changing weather conditions
• Brake and downshift before the downgrade
• Brake early before turns
• Have a full tank of fuel
• Use the ‘pulse’ braking method
Pulse Braking
Never stay on the brakes for an extended period. To properly use this method, find a “safe speed” as you go down the hill. Say, for example, your “safe speed” is 40kmph. You should allow your vehicle to speed up to 45kmph and then apply steady break pressure until your speed drops to 35kmph. At that point, let off the brakes and allow your vehicle to speed back up to 45kmph, then repeat the process. By pulsing your brakes in this way, you give your brake pads time to cool off. As you apply the brakes, your brake pads will heat up. The hotter your brake pads get, the less effective they are, until they become completely ineffective and fail.
