The Western Hajar boasts virtually limitless trekking possibilities, many of which are along the old donkey tracks through the mountains. The tracks are with spectacular mountain scenery. This blog has a separate post on the hiking tracks in the Hajar mountains.
Trekking Around Jebel Shams and Wadi Nakhr
Route W4: Al Qannah Plateau to Jebel Shams (9.5km; 5-6hr one-way). This extended and challenging hike follows the sheer cliffs ringing the top of Wadi Nakhr (Oman’s “Grand Canyon”) to the summit of the country’s highest mountain, with views into Wadi Satan and Wadi Bani Awf en route.
Route W6: Al Qannah Plateau to As Sab (3.5km; 1.5hr one-way). Probably the most famous walk in Oman, popularly known as the “Balcony Walk”, this spectacular trek follows an old donkey trail inside the rim of Wadi Nakhr to the abandoned village of As Sab (aka Sab Bani Khamis). Links up with route W6a.
Route W6a: Al Qannah Plateau, Wadi Ghul to Al Khatayam (6km; 3-4hr one-way). Moderate trek following an old donkey path above the southern end of Wadi Nakhr. Links up with route W6.
Trekking Around Wadi Bani Awf
Route W8: Balad Sayt (5km; 3-4hr one-way). Challenging high-level walk which climbs from the beautiful village of Bilad Sayt up the northern flank of the Western Hajar above Wadi Bani Awf. Links up with routes W9 and W10h.
Route W9: Misfat al Abryeen (9km; 5-6hr one-way). Long trek along old donkey trail starting at the beautiful village of Misfat al Abryeen, with views into Wadi Bani Awf en route. Links up with routes W8 and W10h.
Route W10h: Sharaf al Alamayn (3.5km; 1.5-2hr one-way). Relatively easy high-altitude walk from the village of Sharaf al Alamayn along the top of the mountains. Links up with routes W8 and W9.
Trekking Around Jebel Akhdar
Route W18b: Seeq to Al Aar (4km; 2hr one-way). An easy but spectacular walk through the traditional villages lining the edge of the Saig Plateau, following the rim of the cavernous Wadi al Ayn.
Route W24a & W25: Wukan to Hadash via Jebel Akdhar (14km; 7-10hr one-way, 10-13hr circular walk if combined with Route W24b). Challenging and extremely exposed high-altitude trek around the northern edge of the Jebel Akdhar above the Ghubrah Bowl. Links up with trek W24b to form a circular route, just about doable by very fit walkers in a single day.
Route W24b: Hadash to Wukan via Al Qawrah (4km; 2.6-3hr one-way). Short but challenging walk through a trio of mountain villages.