Trails between Misfat Al Abriyeen and Bilad Sayt (Oman): update (W8, W9, W10)

The hike from Misfat AA and Bilad Sayt via W9a, W10 via Ras Al Haraq, and W8 has recently been redone and clearly marked in green. The path is well-built, though W8 remains exposed (W8 is in the shade in the afternoon). You’ll find water at the passes just before and after Ras Al Haraq, which offers the best view. The signage starts on the descent toward the palm grove at the entrance of Misfat AA. In Bilad Sayt, the start is hidden by a construction site.

On the ridge, the W10 west of the intersection with W9a is just a faint trail, only partially marked by cairns. You’ll need to skirt the rocky summits to the south. It’s slow and rugged but without major issues. There’s a building with water 20 minutes before the last pass, where you hit the cliffs of Jbel Shams. At this point, W10 descends onto the northern slopes, continuing along narrow ledges—very adventurous since it’s unmarked. I didn’t continue. From this pass, you can also descend off-trail more directly toward Misfat AA, which is equally adventurous.

For the return, take the track to Shorfet Al Alamin pass (there’s a canal with water along the way—it’s in the shade in the morning), then the W10h and W9 trails. W9 is just a trace, not a proper trail, but it’s very clearly marked.

This makes for a 3-day loop (the goal is to camp up high for the views, sunsets, and sunrises) or a relaxed 4-day trek.

Al Hamra GH is a good place to stay before and after.

I’ll take this opportunity to add that: - The W18 between Wadi Bani Habib and Al Jarir has also been re-marked in green—very easy. Except for the last kilometer of descent into Al Jarir, which hasn’t been marked, but you can see the destination, so it’s a visual descent. - The W17 is also perfectly marked. - Same for the W10 between Al Ruus and the Sharaf al Alamayn pass. - W6a: well-marked too, with slightly more spaced-out markings, but nothing too difficult. - W4, W6, and W18b: three well-marked trails (though I think they’ve been that way for a while). - W23: Hasn’t been re-marked, but the old purple markings make it easy enough to follow.

If anyone knows the status of W1/W2 or has been to Jabal Shams via W10... I’d love to hear about it.

Big efforts have been made on the trail markings—only a few sections are left to mark to create a real week-long GR for crossing the Western Hajar.

I’ll post a full report on this crossing on my blog by the end of the month.

Hi Pierre, Since I’m heading to Oman next March and it’s not easy to get info on solo treks without a guide, your details about hikes from Misfat are super helpful! 🙂 If I understood your route correctly, you first took the W9, then branched onto the W9a, followed by the W10 east (after backtracking on the western section of the W10) until the intersection with the W8, which you took to Balat Sayt. Then did you follow the track toward Sharaf al Alamayn (I’m a bit confused here) to return to Misfat via the W10h and W9? Did you not try to reach the W10h via the W8b and W8a (based on the Omani Ministry of Tourism maps)? Do you have any info on these two trails (markings, rough terrain, etc.)? How’s the signage on the W9a?

Are there buses or shared taxis from Muscat to Al Hamra? How did you get from Al Hamra to Misfat?

Thanks again for the info you’ve already shared. Safe travels if you’re still on the road!

Claude

Didn’t see W8a and W8b. Not marked. W9a is very well built and marked in green. I have a car, but hitchhiking is possible.

I also did W6, W6a, and W4 (Jbel Shams summit) in the meantime.

Hello,

The trails around Jebel Akhdar and Jebel Shams are now well-marked thanks to the Oman by UTMB ultra-trail event that took place at the end of November 2018: it's the green markings mentioned in this discussion. You can download the GPX track from the UTMB website: https://omanbyutmb.com/the-race/#1543211921175-766c2383-1468

It obviously makes for a great multi-day hiking route. The UTMB route covers a large part of the existing trails (with the yellow-white-red markings), W8, 9, 10, etc.

Interesting, I didn’t know that. But for the W8–W10–W9a crossing, it’s not just the signage. A huge construction project was organized to improve the paths. Did they do all this for the trail?

Yes, so runners can make progress relatively easily. It should continue: it was the first edition, and they’re planning to do four more for now. Great for trekking too!

hi could you tell me if the Shorfet Al Alamin to Bilad Sayt hike via W10 and W8 is doable? We're in good shape but not experienced with tough treks, and how long it would take. Is it possible to do it in a day—descend to Bilad Sayt via W10 and W8, then go back up to the pass by road?

Thanks

Philippe

Yes, doable for experienced hikers—still a tough day unless you hitch a ride back up.

hi there

thanks so much, we were wondering if hitchhiking was actually possible to get back up to the pass

we’ll see when we get there thanks again for the reply

philippe

Hitchhiking works really well! I've done it several times.

Hi there, we’re heading to Oman at the end of December for ten days. We’d like to do some star-shaped hikes—what would you recommend? We weren’t planning on renting a 4x4. Is it possible to reach the trailheads with a regular car? Also, where can we find the hiking guide you’re referring to? Thanks! Bruno and Cat