Exploring around Jebel al Harim - Oman

[Brett Eicher]

Hi Carnity,

Has anyone traveled the area in Oman that is in northern UAE? It looked like an interesting area to spend a few days exploring the mountains and coastlines, and would love any feedback/recommendations. My aim is offroading/overlanding style, and camping out of my truck.

And, if anyone thinks this sounds like fun and want to join, let me know. I'm aiming to go over the next couple weeks.

Cheers,

Brett

Edited December 15, 2022 by Brett Eicher

[munkybizness]

@Brett Eicher There is a stunning gravel trail that is easily doable with our machines from Khasab through to Jebel al Harim and south all the way to the Wadi Biyah junction. Along the way you'll see little farms and the mountain range being split by the road you're on.

The challenge is that this is a one-way path. So once you get to the Wadi Biyah junction, there is a military checkpoint and only the nationals of UAE & Oman (may perhaps be GCC too) can pass through this gate back into Ras Al Khaimah for you to continue to Jebel Jais. As an expat, I need to turn back around and retrace the same track to Khasab from where I need to again use the official land border to cross back into the UAE.

One of the ways in which I was thinking about doing it was to enter from the Khasab coastline and return back from the Dibba border. I just need to scope out how to take the Rawdah exit from Biyah west towards Zighy and south down to Dibba. Would love to try and scope this out with you if you're keen.

Edited December 15, 2022 by munkybizness

[Frederic]

I've done Musandam somewhere in 2018 with Arabic speaking friends. We drove to Khasab port and took our camping gear with us and approached one of the fishermen. He took us to one of the beaches, around here somewhere:

https://goo.gl/maps/JfKFSFp9bBhxjEtNA

dropped us off, and came to pick us up a 9AM the next morning. We camped at the beach and for the first time ever i saw the phytoplankton in the ocean. It was unforgettable ! I was not able to take a photo but it looked like this:

 

[Brett Eicher]

@munkybizness Thanks for the feedback, and your company would be most welcome!

I was looking through google maps, and saw lots of wierd little trails, wadi's and cuts... as you said, I was hoping to find a way linking the north/west and east coasts. I was looking at the map for a khasab-rawdah-dibba route.

I did see the check-point you mentioned. wasn't sure how far it extended, and what routes it cut off. A shame, that as expats we are prevented from taking some of these trails, as they look fun.  I read that Jebel al Haram peak is off limits, which makes sense, as this is where military facilities are set up... comms towers or radar stuff.

[Frederic]

Wikiloc is our trusty source for finding trails !

[Brett Eicher]

@Frederic What a cool experience! And thank you for sharing the location point!

 

I've used Wikiloc a lot as well, fantastic tool. Sometimes people know things that don't show up on it 😅

Edited December 15, 2022 by Brett Eicher

[Islam Soliman]

I have done this several years back with friends including overnight camp and BBQ on top of Jabal Alharim.. with multiple stops at interesting view points along the way.. crossing to UAE back from the other side of the trail is not allowed for expats as @munkybiznesssaid so you have to turn back and follow same route through Khasab.

 

P..S. If u are camping on top of Jabal Alharim make sure you have more than enough stuff to keep u warm at night and early morning hours .. it’s freezing cold

[Gaurav]

Well done @Brett Eicher for taking the initiative to kick-start the Overlanding trips. Hope you guys explore and find something nice and doable for us to follow. 

[Imran Asghar]

Im in!

Edited December 15, 2022 by imranaasghar81

[DP1011]

Thanks @Brett Eicher! Pls do keep posted about this, if the dates work Am IN Too!