Even with Oman’s heat, I still like going for walks and hikes in Muscat. Sometimes I do not feel like driving far from the capital, so I take turns going to a few places nearby.
Below are recommendations for easy-to-medium-level walks and hikes in Muscat. Whether you’re pressed for time, don’t want to drive far, or just need something short before or after work, these are some good spots.
Hikes
Sidab
This is an easy-to-medium-level hike that starts with a ladder, then continues on loose rocks and around a few small boulders before reaching a beach. Guests can stop here to swim or continue for another 10 minutes to reach another beach.
Sidab is a good one because you can also swim to cool off. It takes about twenty minutes to reach the first beach, so there’s not a lot of hiking. I like Sidab for sunrise, so I recommend starting around 5 am. Read more about Sidab here.
Wadi Kabir
This is also an easy-to-medium level hike. You have to walk up a winding road for the first ten minutes, so expect to feel a burn. After the paved road, you’ll see a painted white, red, and yellow flag on a rock toward the right.
Continue following this gravel path while following the flag. The trail eventually takes you up a small hill with loose rocks, where you’ll have views of Qantab. Continue following the rocky and dirt path, and as you go, you’ll eventually have views of Wadi Kabir.
My husband, Freddy, and I walked for two hours, but could have easily spent more time following the other paths, but wanted to get back to the car before dark.
This is a unique one because there are several paths along the hiking trail that easily fuel curiosity. We plan to go back one early morning so we have time to explore more before the heat kicks in.
Walks
Al Bustan
Al Bustan is right after Wadi Kabir, and I like this one when I feel like walking on an incline on the way back. I normally start from a spot just before the horses and make my way toward the roundabout before returning. It usually takes about an hour.
When I feel like going further, I continue walking left from the roundabout until reaching Bandar Al Rodah Park, which is across from Marina Bandar. This one takes about an hour and a half from the spot before the horses in Wadi Kabir.
This walk can vary depending on where you park, whether it’s in Wadi Kabir or closer to Al Bustan. Either way, the incline on the way back is a tough one!
Mutrah
I like to do several routes in Mutrah, whether it’s along the corniche or from Mutrah to Old Muscat.
Corniche
Start at the souq and go left toward the fish market. Once you’re here, turn back and walk along the corniche. Depending on how far you want to go, it’s manageable to walk to the fountain, which takes about twenty-five minutes from the fish market. Or keep going for another 10 minutes until you reach the Yeti Sustainable City building, where Thalassa Greek Restaurant is.
The corniche is nice because you can go as far as you want, and there are plenty of cafes if you need a break.
Old Muscat
I tried this once from Mutrah to see how long it would take me. I started near Mutrah Fort and continued walking until I reached the Old Muscat gate. You’ll pass old neighborhoods along the way, and if you’re like me, you’ll want to stop to take a few pictures.
You can stop here and return. It took me about 50 minutes to reach the gate. I was curious and wanted to keep going, so I ended up walking to the National Museum. This took another fifteen minutes.
If your legs aren’t too tired, walk another 10-15 minutes, and you’ll reach Sidab. The entire journey took about two hours and forty-five minutes, but I also stopped for food in Sidab.
Riyam Park
Riyam Park is nice to relax and enjoy the greenery. There’s a playground for the kids and a pineapple slide. If you start from the souq, the park is about 30 minutes away. This is a leisurely walk in Muscat.
Qurum
There are a few walking paths in Qurum, including Shatti, Love Street, and the Waterfront. They all connect to each other, so you could take the entire path, or start from one of the locations and go for a short walk.
Freddy and I parked on Love Street near the old Starbucks and continued walking through Shatti and the Waterfront before reaching the British Embassy. The return walk was 8.5 km.
If you only wanted to walk the path in Shatti, it’s about 3km starting from Kaldi Coffee.
Walks and Hikes In Muscat
These are some walks and light hikes around Muscat when you don’t want to drive far. With this heat, I recommend going in the morning around 5 am or in the afternoon after 5 pm. Stay hydrated and don’t forget a hat and sunscreen.