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Mountain range in Oman and the UAE
Photo: F igy, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
The Hajar Mountains are a range in Northern Oman stretching along the northern coast of Oman, from southwest of Muscat to the United Arab Emirates.
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Three sites of prehistoric settlements and beehive tombs dating from the 3rd millennium BCE, collectively inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list.
This site was excavated in 1976 and includes communal graves, ruins of tower forts, and beehive tombs.
This site contains the ruins of a stone tower 20 m in diameter.
Al Ain
These unexcavated beehive tombs here are in much better condition than those at Bat, with the added dramatic backdrop of Jebel Misht and its 1000-m-high cliffs. To access them, take the graded road to the left (just past the junction), and turn right and drive 100 m down the wadi. From here a footpath leads to the tombs.
Wadi Tanoof
At the mouth of the wadi are the photogenic ruins of Old Tanuf, which was bombed extensively by the British Royal Air Force during the Jebel Rebellion of 1954-1955. A 4WD track proceeds up the wadi past a recharge dam to the trailheads for W19 and W19a (not waymarked), two excellent hikes through and above neighboring Wadi Qashah.
Al Hutah, Al Hotta, Al Fallah, Al Falahi
A 2.7-km-long living cave network with a large chamber of stalactites and stalagmites, as well as an 800-m-long lake, home to a species of blind fish. There is also a geological museum onsite, as well as a cafe and gift shop.
Misfah
One of the few mountain villages accessible by 2WD on a paved road. The ancient village is in a beautiful setting, with terraced gardens and a falaj irrigation system. The ruined fort of Al Rogan overlooks the village, which is the starting point for the challenging W9 trekking path, connecting with trails W8 and W10h. Donkeys and guides are available for hire here as well.
Set right at the base of the mountains, this town is notable for a number of Yemeni-style mud-brick buildings, some of which are among the oldest houses in Oman. They are in an older section of the town overlooking the newer town; in the early 21st century, many of the older houses have been abandoned as the inhabitants have chosen to move into more modern buildings.
This restored fortress in the northern foothills has four watch towers and dates to the 13th century. The complex includes a mosque, a former prison and a falaj system. It has been nominated for listing as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
A restored fortress with a history dating to the pre-Islamic era, scenically set on a rocky outcropping at the base of the northern Hajar Mountains. The fort houses a museum of historic guns.
One of only a couple of accommodation options available in the village, in a traditional Omani house with Omani cuisine cooked by local families. Arrangements for guides can be made here. No internet.
From Muscat, Highways 15 and 21 skirt the southern reaches of the range, and Highways 13 and 11 provide access from the north. Travelers from the UAE will arrive via Highway 21.
Read in the guideIt is possible to get a glimpse of some of the mountains' spectacular scenery with just a 2WD, but to really explore a 4WD is essential, as many highlights are otherwise simply inaccessible.
Read in the guideChoose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Muscat/Seeb · International · MCT
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