Village on top of the Jebel Shams, balcony walk 100 m down right.
Balcony walk trail.
The deepest canyon in Oman is the Jebel Shams. It has famous for the 'balcony' walk, one km above the canyon floor and 100 m below the top rim.
Jebel Shams is a long drive from Muscat, about 2.5-3 hours. It is still 1-2 hours after Nizwa . The second half of the gravel road goes up a 2 km high plateau, a scenic gravel road among barren limestone.
On the tarmac road, about 30 minutes past Nizwa, you have a view at the large village of Ghoul, with abundant green terraces.
Village of Ghoul, Jebel Shams is top left outside the picture. After http://www.enhg.org/gallery/shams/shams.htm.
This is the exit of the Jebel Shams canyon. To shorten the trip, you could drive into the canyon and look up 1 km or even walk up.
While driving up the gravel road, after 20-30 minutes, in the distance to the NW, you can see the Jebel Mist mountain with a height of 3000 m, rising 2 km from the plateau.
Jebel Mist
Jebel Mist is famous for its km high SW rock wall, ideal for ultimate rock climbing. Mike Searle, a geologist from Oxford, is said to be the first person climbing it.
Jebel Mist can be ascended in 10-12 hours return trip using the NE back route but this still requires scrambling up a rocky slope with numerous ledges as there is no trail up.
Continuing to Shebal Shams, after some 45 minutes there is a side road to the highest point at 3000 m but the road is blocked by a gate as it leads to a military radar station. It seems permitted to walk up the 4-8 km long road.
The road ends at a small village where the balcony walk starts. Locals from a nearby village try to sell goods like fruits, souvenirs and fossils to tourists.
Local villagers offering goods
This area is popular for Omanis and expat's on a day-trip.
The people in the village have goats and small vegetable gardens, watered by a water hose coming down from higher hills, given the barren landscape a surprise water source.
The view down 1 km into the canyon is breathtaking, you can just see the green canyon floor with numerous palm trees.
View down into the canyon. After http://www.enhg.org/gallery/shams/shams.htm.
Most people do the balcony walk but if you arrange a pickup in the Ghoul Canyon below, you could also walk down.
The walk along the balcony to a deserted hamlet is easy and takes 1-2 hours.
Balcony trail. After http://www.enhg.org/gallery/shams/shams.htm.
It can also be done for those with mild fear of heights as is rarely has an exposed view down.
Above the hamlet a trickle of water comes down and there is a very steep old route 100 m up the cliff to a village on the plateau but the stakes and ropes are gone so only mountain climbers with full gear should try it.
Hamlet in the cliffs at green palm trees (center). Note old terraces for agriculture above the overhanging cliff. After http://www.enhg.org/gallery/shams/shams.htm.
Hamlet in the cliffs at the green palm trees (center).
Hamlet houses. After http://www.enhg.org/gallery/shams/shams.htm.
Houses. After http://www.enhg.org/gallery/shams/shams.htm.
Jebel Shams is one of the most famous canyons in Oman but a long drive. Best to be combined with an overnight stay. Camping near the start of the trail is popular as the nights are cool.
