Finding Your Way to Spectacular Jebel Akhdar

Jebel Akhdar is one of my favourite places to visit in Oman. It’s especially great in the summer when the daytime temperature at the top is around 25C-30C in July, as opposed to 46C-50C in Nizwa!

From the UAE, the best route to take is Road 21 from the Mezyad/Hafeet border crossing at Al Ain.

Stop for some last minute food purchases at Lulu, Nizwa. There’s also a Carrefour in the City, Then head to Birkat al Mouz, before beginning your approach to the Green Mountain.

There’s a police post which stops any non 4x4s from attempting the climb. The first time we visited, a young police officer took details from our car registration card and my driving license. I could see in his eyes that me driving and my husband as passenger “did not compute” but he wished us an enjoyable stay up the mountain as he waved us on our way.

Jebel Akhdar’s Spectacular Road

The road up to the top of the “hill” is an impressive feat of engineering,  It climbs 1700 metres via a series of hairpin bends and the steepest of gradients. Crash barriers all the way to the main town at the top ensure your safety. For most of the way it is 3 lane, allowing overtaking which is essential on the way up – trucks use this road too!

We were glad our car was newly serviced and had its brakes checked. There’s a lot of braking on your way down the mountain at the end of your holiday! Be sure to take a break if you think your brakes are overheating.

There are a number of viewpoints with parking on the way up. If the weather is clear, they are worth stopping off at so you can gaze over the valleys and plains below.

Note: you are not allowed to take a towing trailer up the mountain.

Note: if you do not have a 4×4, there are many locals who will taxi you up in their cars for typically 35-50 OMR return.  Your 2WD car will be quite safe at the parking lot beside the Police Post.

Note: there are rumours that a new road is being built, which will not require 4×4 vehicles, we will update this post once it is open.

Jebel Akhdar Gallery

Hints and tips for fellow adventurers:

If you prefer Shell petrol then fuel up in Nizwa. There is an Al Maha gas station at the top; if you are paying in AED, then do check your change carefully if paying in cash.

If you are camping, take some food and drinks with you – there are a few shops up the mountain, but their range of goods is small. You will be able to buy basic necessities such as bottled water, yoghurts, soft drinks etc, and of course, in the fruit season, there will be many roadside vendors selling pomegranates, pears, apples, walnuts and other fruits.

Pack sunscreen – although considerably cooler up the mountain, the sun is still every bit as strong as we experienced in Al Ain. Muscat etc.  Take insect repellent, citronella candles and tiger balm – I swear the mosquitoes were lying in wait for me!

Don’t forget your walking shoes – the mountain is best enjoyed on foot, and there are a number of marked trails!

You can get a 4G signal in many places on the mountain, but speeds are quite slow.  We recommend either  Hayyak pay-as-you-go simcards from Omantel  or Renna Mobile and can get a week’s internet for 3-10 OMR.

Where to Stay 

Here are some of our favourites

3* Jebel Akhdar Hotel   – 23.091111, 57.707453

3* Green Mountain Apartments – 23.0805386, 57.677157

4* Damask Resort – 23.082742, 57.631750

4* Dusit 2 – 23.091016, 57.685080

5* Alila Jabal Akhdar Resort – 23.140753, 57.540133

5* Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar 23.0679653, 57.670073

5* Indigo Hotel 23.066497, 57.674005

Amenities

There are a number of shops and restaurants in the town of Saiq, but none outwith there.

ATM – 23.0788787, 57.673014

Petrol Station -(Al Maya) – 23.079075, 57.673417

Cold Store (food and firewood) – 23.0795689, 57.673736

Picnic Area, playpark, toilets – 23.089237, 57.687920, also 23.132918, 57.596178

Restaurant Airiyami; good Indian/Pakistani food – 23.079658, 57.673845

Things to See

Diana’s view as listed in the guidebooks is very near to the Sahab Hotel, and there is a path/viewpoint near there.

In the Jebel Akhdar Wars of 1957-59, a Royal Air Force Venom fighter/bomber crashed and you can see what remains of it close to the road at 23.079447, 57.670135.  It’s right on the corner, behind a fence.

Village/Farm walk  – 23.068880, 57.638831

Rose Water Factory (highly recommended) – 23.069117, 57.638842

Terrace View – Parking at Al Ayn Village – 23.073760, 57.662188

Terrace View – from the village at the foot of the hill – 23.066301, 57.663830

Fruit Sellers (in season you can find them near here ) – 23.080515, 57.674010

Amenities at the foot of the mountain:

Golden Tulip Hotel – N23 03.968 E57 39.835

Lulu Supermarket, Nizwa – 22.876827, 57.537494

Carrefour Supermarket/Nizwa Grand Mall – 22.871811 57.536866

Sanayia (Industrial area), Nizwa – 22.842501, 57.543339

Oman Across Ages Museum (highly recommended) -22.779667, 57.554041

Arabian Cities and Sands Destination

If you would like to have the comfort of a pre-planned itinerary with car hire and hotel bookings, then check out our Summits and Sunsets Self Guided, Self Drive Tour of the Hajar Mountains (including Jebel Akhdar).  Available with or without flights. Click on the pic below to take you to the tour listing.