KHASAB: 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 organised 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 October 1, 2017. Their inaugural mountain trek was conducted on January 13, 2018, followed by a second trek on March 2 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 organised 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 organises 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 organises special events that include gatherings for hiking groups from both within and outside 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 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 organising 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 Oman. — ONA
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