Musandam
Hiking: A Youth Passion Evolves into a Community, Tourism Platform

Khasab,
20 Jan 2026 (ONA) — The “Musandam Hiking” team emerged from a
youthful passion for mountain trekking and a love for exploration. What began
as a simple initiative bringing together nature enthusiasts and mountain trail
explorers in Musandam Governorate has evolved into an organized team dedicated
to promoting a healthy lifestyle, deepening environmental awareness, and
showcasing the governorate’s unique natural and tourism potential.

Ismail
Ali Al Shehhi, Chairman of the Musandam Hiking team, stated that the team was
officially established on 1 October 2017. Their inaugural mountain trek was
conducted on 13 January 2018, followed by a second trek on 2 March of the same
year. Since then, the team’s activities have continued to grow, expanding their
participation at both the local and national levels.

He
added that the team’s primary goal is to direct youth energy toward positive
activities that serve the community and enhance public health. Furthermore, the
team aims to highlight strategic and tourist sites within Musandam, directly
contributing to attracting international visitors and introducing the region to
segments of the public previously unaware of its natural diversity.

Al
Shehhi noted that since its inception, the team has organized numerous mountain
treks involving dozens of hiking enthusiasts from various age groups, thereby
expanding the base of practitioners for this sport within the governorate.

The
Chairman pointed out that the team organizes several activities in
collaboration with government agencies and community institutions on specific
occasions, such as Mountain Activity Day, World Diabetes Day, and International
Mountain Day. Additionally, the team is an active participant in the Musandam
Winter Season events. In coordination with the Khasab Sports and Cultural Club,
the team also organizes special events that include gatherings for hiking
groups from both within and outside the Sultanate of Oman.

Regarding
the selection of routes, Al Shehhi explained that the team primarily relies on
ancient mountain paths used by ancestors to travel between neighboring villages
and regions. These paths have been refurbished and marked with instructional
signs to facilitate access to natural landmarks. The team also develops new
trails to highlight previously unknown tourist sites.

He
mentioned that the trails vary in difficulty; while it is preferred that
participants have prior experience, the team provides suitable routes for
beginners to ensure inclusivity and broaden the sport’s appeal.

Safety
measures are a top priority for the team. Al Shehhi emphasized that participant
readiness is verified before any trek, including adherence to wearing
appropriate clothing and footwear. The team also ensures participants are free
from chronic diseases that might compromise their safety during the journey and
issues warnings against approaching hazardous locations.

As
part of these safety protocols, a first-aid kit is carried on all trips.
Furthermore, the details and locations of the trails are registered in the
“Nida” application, managed by the Civil Defence and Ambulance
Authority, to facilitate handling any advanced emergency cases.

He
further noted that the team undertakes an awareness-building role in preserving
the mountain environment. This includes organizing cleaning campaigns for
beaches and trails, urging participants not to litter, and contributing to
waste collection along mountain paths.

Touching
upon the benefits of hiking, he described it as an ideal opportunity to enhance
physical and mental health, build positive social relationships, and instill
values of cooperation and discipline. He observed that adventure tourism is
seeing increasing demand in Musandam due to its distinct geographical nature
and unique vistas.

Al
Shehhi explained that the team receives support from the Khasab Sports and
Cultural Club and various official bodies. However, he noted that a key
challenge facing hiking teams is the lack of community acceptance regarding
certain trails, which necessitates further social awareness.

Regarding
future plans, Ismail Ali Al Shehhi affirmed that the team aspires to establish
a tourism office to support the sport and will continue to document new trails
across different areas of the governorate. These efforts aim to develop
adventure tourism and support sustainable tourism in the Sultanate of Oman.

—Ends/AG