Oman trekking - Claire England

These pocket sized trekking maps, produced in co-operation with the Omani Government, cover all the signed trekking routes in Oman. The rugged Hajar Mountains rise abruptly out of the Straits of Hormuz and stretch for more than 600 kilometres, providing many wonderful opportunities for trekking. The marked trails range from short, easy walks to longer treks. Many of the trails follow centuries-old routes through the mountains and are still the only way that mountain villagers (shawawi) can get to their more isolated settlements. The guide also covers the famous fjords of the Mussandam Peninsula, and the Dhofar Mountains, which reach a maximum height of 2100 meters at Jabal Samhan. The range is topped with rolling plateaux and dissected by deep wadis. In contrast to the arid north, these mountains are covered with dense woodlands thanks to the monsoon, or 'khareef'. And inland, just beyond the reach of the cloud shadow, are Oman's famous frankincense groves.