Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
wonderful old building - it's a family heirloom. One of the few places to sample genuine
Omani home-cooked dishes, it's possible to call in just for lunch (OR5). Beware though:
once you have descended through the village and entered the enchanted garden of date,
lemon and mango trees, you won't want to leave.
Reservations are essential - not least to ensure you find the way from the car park, a
five- or 10-minute walk through a labyrinth of alleys, tunnels and plantations paths.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Mountain Road via Hatt & Wadi Bani Awf
This truly spectacular road over the Western Hajar Mountains affords some of the best
views in Oman. It can be accomplished as a long round trip from Muscat or as a more
leisurely outing from Nizwa to Rustaq. With two sleeping options along the route, and a
third nearing completion on the summit, the road could enable a major exploration of the
mountains. Although the mountain part of the route is only 70km long, it takes about four
hours to drive and a 4WD is essential to negotiate the sustained, off-road descent into
Wadi Bani Awf. This route passes through remote, rugged country and you should take
the necessary precautions (spare tyre, jack, water, warm clothing, walking shoes and basic
provisions). Check weather conditions before you leave and do not attempt the journey
during or after rains.
Follow the signs for Al-Hoota Cave from the Nizwa-Bahla road. You'll see a brown
sign, just before reaching the cave, indicating Bilad Sayt (Balad Seet). The road, zigzag-
ging up the mountain in front of you, is sealed for the entire ascent. Look out for wild
palms and clumps of aloe.
Zero your vehicle's odometer at the base of the road and at 23.9km you will come to
the Sharfat Al-Alamayn viewpoint, on the saddle of the ridge: this is the highest point in
the road. It's worth spending time here to enjoy the scenery and to look for wolf traps
(piles of stone with a slate trap door) before the long descent into the village of
Hatt
.
After Hatt, the road continues for another 6km, skirting past
Bilad Sayt
, which is off the
road to the left. The village is well worth a detour. With its picture-postcard perfection of
terraced fields and sun-baked houses, it's one of the prettiest villages in the area. The vil-
lagers prefer visitors to park outside and walk in or simply view the village from a dis-
tance.
At 43.8km, the road passes the entrance to aptly named
Snake Gorge
, a popular destina-
tion for adventure hikers and climbers, and through the middle of a football pitch. From
here the main track meanders around the mountain to the exit of Snake Gorge at 49.6km,
