Shiheyt draws visitors seeking nature in Dhofar’s highlands

Taqah, July 29
As the monsoon season breathes new life into Dhofar’s mountains and valleys, the quiet village of Shiheyt, tucked high in the hills of the Wilayat of Taqah, is quietly emerging as a destination for travellers looking for nature, simplicity and solitude.
Located around 10 kilometres north of Taqah, Shiheyt is surrounded by dramatic terrain — misty ridges, flowing wadis and cliffs that turn green with the rains of khareef. At the heart of the village lies the Shiheyt Sinkhole, a vast natural depression nearly 150 metres across.
According to local folklore, a meteor once fell here, carving the land in a moment of fire and light.
Nearby, Wadi Ghidhat winds through the hills, shaded by trees and fed by spring water that flows even in the dry months. Visitors who make the trip find themselves surrounded by silence, birdsong and a deep sense of calm. The valley is also known for its wild bees, which build their hives in the rocky cliffs — part of a long-standing tradition of mountain honey collection in the area.
Shiheyt has a small population — fewer than 100 residents — but a strong sense of place. Families grow crops, raise livestock and follow seasonal rhythms tied to the land.
This week, three friends from Muscat visited the area in a four-wheel-drive vehicle after seeing videos of Shiheyt on social media. “We saw the place online and were curious,” one of them said. “It’s even more beautiful in real life. You need to know how to drive in the mountains, but it’s not difficult if you’re careful. Keep your camera lenses clean, take all your rubbish with you and leave the place just as you found it. Nature here deserves to be respected.”
Access to Shiheyt requires a 4x4 vehicle, particularly for those hoping to reach Wadi Ghidhat or explore beyond the village. A small primary school serves local children, but residents rely on nearby towns such as Taqah and Salalah for healthcare and other services.
Though it lacks major infrastructure, Shiheyt’s quiet charm is exactly what makes it stand out. It offers a different kind of tourism — one not built on crowds or commercial centres, but on connection to nature and a slower, more thoughtful pace of travel.
Officials say areas like Shiheyt highlight the broader potential of Dhofar’s highlands, especially during and after the khareef season, to provide unique experiences for visitors looking to discover Oman’s lesser-known landscapes.