Wadi Ghul

Useful Information

Location:	Jabal Shams. (23.190605, 57.211111)
Open:	no restrictions. [2021]
Fee:	free. [2021]
Classification:	Gorge
Light:	n/a
Dimension:
Guided tours:
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:
Address:	Wadi Ghul.
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

Description

وادي غول (Wadi Ghul) is probably the most spectacular gorge of Oman, and often dubbed Grand Canyon of Arabia. The location which is actually meant is a viewpoint, from which the limestone cliffs drop 1000 m into Wadi Ghul below. There are actually several viewpoints along Jebel Shams road, which runs along the canyon to the small village Al Khitaym. Most of the viewpoints actually have no railing, so at the end of the rock it goes down 1 km to the river below. It's also possible to do a 9.6 km round trip hike alsong the rim.

The enormous canyon has massive shelters in overhanging walls, several were used by the locals to build cave houses inside. As far as we know, they are neither easily accessible nor open to the public. There are also several gorges with pools inside why can be used for swimming, but climbing down 1,000 m for a swimm is probably not the best idea. After returning to your car, you are obviously in dire need for another swim.

The gorge is located in the western Hajar Mountains, near Jebel Shams (3009 m asl), Oman’s highest peak.