Balcony Walk – A Hike on the Edge

Balcony Walk is one of the most spectacular hiking trails in Oman. It’s a popular route in the Al-Hajar Mountains, leading along the deepest canyon in the Middle East. The canyon is said to be over 2,000 meters deep and is often referred to as the Grand Canyon of the Middle East. Moreover, the Balcony Walk is located on Jabal Shams, the highest mountain in Oman, standing at over 3,000 meters. Another, more challenging trail called W4 leads to its summit, although the peak itself is inaccessible due to a military base. Jabal Shams translates to “Mountain of the Sun” and is known as the place in Oman where you can see the sunrise the earliest.

Source: www.trekkingoman.com 

The path along the edge of the canyon offers breathtaking views. It’s not demanding and is considered safe. The round trip is approximately 7 km long and relatively flat. Completing it typically takes about 3–4 hours. The only downside is that it ends at an abandoned village, and the return follows the same path. Along the way, there are viewing points where you can sit and admire the spectacular scenery. At either the beginning or end of the trail, depending on your perspective, there’s a small café.

Since the trail is fairly easy and among the most picturesque spots in Oman, it attracts many tourists. For this reason, I began my hike around 8 a.m. It was the perfect time — I had the trail to myself and avoided walking in high temperatures.

The trail begins near a restroom and is well-marked. Even where signs are temporarily missing, the direction is obvious. Despite going along the canyon’s edge, the path poses no danger. It’s fairly wide and maintains a safe distance from the cliff.

The views were incredible, with the canyon seeming to stretch endlessly downward. In the early morning, the air wasn’t entirely clear. A faint mist hung over the canyon, and the sunlight’s rays added a unique ambience to the place. I was especially captivated by the nearby mountains, which looked as though they were perfectly cut.

My experience was undoubtedly heightened by the solitude on the trail. Having the place all to myself gave me a sense of freedom and space. I love that feeling, whether on the ground or in the air. Unfortunately, photographs can’t truly capture the scale and majesty of the scenery.

The trail leads to the abandoned village of As Sab, beyond which there’s a small waterfall and some shade provided by more trees and greenery.

Getting to W6 Balcony Walk

The Balcony Walk starts in Al Khitaym, located at an elevation of 1,900 meters above sea level. Contrary to popular belief, reaching it does not require a 4×4 vehicle. I tested this myself and wouldn’t describe the route as particularly challenging. While some sections of the road are unpaved, the entire route is wide and in good condition. Several viewing points can be found along the way. Parking is available just before a café marked on Google Maps as W6 Café in Al Khitaym.

Accommodation

The areas around Jabal Shams are not the most budget-friendly, making Al-Hamra, about 1.5 hours away by car, a good base for exploring the region. I recommend staying at Al-Hamra Guest House, where I paid 40€ per night. The room was clean and equipped with air conditioning. There was also access to a kitchen, and the owner, Ahmed, was incredibly kind. He suggested many interesting places to visit in the area.