Upper Wadi Mistall

In the north-east of Jebel Akhdar, the finest and highest region of the Western Hajar Mountains, is the huge Ghubra Bowl in Upper Wadi Mistall, which has superb scenery and walking below and up onto the Sayq Plateau. In particular, you can do two superb but very different walks between Hadesh and Wukan.

Wukan to Hadesh High Route: an Oman classic, a rough, in places steep and occasionally exposed loop (partly on an old donkey path) from Wukan (at 1,500m) on the western wadi flank up the cliffs to the Wukan Pass (at 2,300m), onto the Sayq Plateau, where you curve round south and east, on very different landscape, to the Hadash Pass at the plateau edge and thence back, steeply, to Hadesh (at 1,500m) on  the eastern flank of the bowl.

A superb but long and demanding walk (14km; 7-10 hrs). Explorer guide’s walks W25 and W24a. Walkopedia rating 33, 16, 8, 32 =89

Hadesh to Wukan: Lower route: an ancient trail links these villages, crossing the Ghubra Bowl. Fine views and the delight of the greenery around the villages.

While it is marked, and less demanding than the higher route, it is hard work (and crosses several lower passes) and exposed in places, so not for beginners. Up to 3hrs one way. Explorer guide’s walk W24b. Walkopedia rating 32, 15.5, 12, 32 =91.5

The super-fit could link these walks to make a long but exceptionally interesting circuit.

Oman Trekking (Explorer) and Adventure Trekking in Oman (Anne Dale and Gerry Hadwin) have worthwhile sections on these walks. Recommended. Find relevant books on Amazon.

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For more information and photos, including detailed practical information and some warnings, see our Western Hajar Mountains walk page. See also our Jebel Akhdar page.