Tuesday 20 / January / 2026
Khasab: What began as a youthful passion for mountain hiking and exploration has evolved into an organised community initiative that promotes health, environmental awareness, and tourism in the Musandam Governorate.
The Musandam Hiking Team was officially established on October 1, 2017. Its first mountain trail was carried out on January 13, 2018, followed by a second on March 2 of the same year. Since then, the team’s activities have continued to expand locally and nationally.
Ismail bin Ali Al Shehhi, head of the Musandam Hiking Team, said the initiative aims to channel young people’s energy into positive activities that serve the community and promote public health.
He noted that the team also seeks to highlight Musandam’s tourist and strategic sites, contributing to attracting visitors from around the world and introducing the region’s natural diversity to new audiences.
Since its establishment, the team has organised numerous mountain trails, attracting dozens of hiking enthusiasts from various age groups and helping to broaden participation in the sport across the governorate.
The team regularly organises activities in cooperation with government entities and community organisations on occasions such as Mountain Activity Day, World Diabetes Day, and International Mountain Day.
It also takes part in Musandam’s winter season events and collaborates with Khasab Sports and Cultural Club to host gatherings of hiking teams from within and outside the Sultanate of Oman.
Regarding route selection, Al Shehhi explained that the team relies largely on old mountain paths historically used by ancestors to travel between villages. These routes are updated and marked with signage to facilitate access to natural landmarks. The team also develops new routes to showcase lesser-known tourist sites.
Routes vary in difficulty to accommodate different experience levels, with options suitable for beginners to ensure inclusive participation and encourage wider interest in hiking.
Safety remains a top priority. Participants’ readiness is assessed before each hike, including wearing appropriate clothing and footwear and ensuring they are free from chronic conditions that could affect their safety. Participants are also warned against approaching hazardous areas.
Each trip includes a first aid kit, and route data and locations are registered through the “Nidaa” application of the Civil Defence and Ambulance Authority to enable rapid response in emergencies.
The team also plays an environmental awareness role by organising beach and trail clean-up campaigns and encouraging hikers to avoid littering and to collect waste along mountain paths.
Al Shehhi highlighted the physical, mental, and social benefits of hiking, noting its role in strengthening social bonds and fostering values of cooperation and discipline. He added that adventure tourism is witnessing growing demand in Musandam due to its unique geography and scenic landscapes.
The Musandam Hiking Team receives support from Khasab Cultural and Sports Club and several official bodies. Among the main challenges, Al Shehhi pointed to limited acceptance of some routes by certain segments of society, underscoring the need for greater community awareness.
Looking ahead, the team aspires to establish a tourism office dedicated to supporting hiking activities and to continue documenting new routes across the governorate. These efforts aim to strengthen adventure tourism and support sustainable tourism development in the Sultanate of Oman.
