Jebel Shams Balcony Walk – Abandoned Village of As Sab loop from Al Khitaym

Hiking trails & Routes

Oman

Jebel Shams Balcony Walk – Abandoned Village of As Sab loop from Al Khitaym

Moderate

4.9

(295)

2,165

hikers

Jebel Shams Balcony Walk – Abandoned Village of As Sab loop from Al Khitaym

03:17

7.47km

670m

Hiking

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily walkable paths. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: October 15, 2026

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

100 m

Jebel Shams Balcony Walk

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

Great hike with unique views into the canyon of Sonnenberg, by the way, the third largest canyon in the world. The starting point is the village of Al Khitaym.

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Tip by

2.44 km

View of Oman's Grand Canyon

Highlight • Viewpoint

The Balcony Walk begins in the village of Al Khitaym (four-wheel drive preferred) and continues to the village ruins of As Sab. Afterwards, there is the option of reaching a small lake.

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3.49 km

Abandoned Village of As Sab

Highlight • Historical Site

Here you will find an abandoned village. The stone shaped huts are impressive to look at. It is hard to imagine that until 40 years ago people lived there.

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3.51 km

Ancient Cliffside Stone Houses

Highlight • Historical Site

3.63 km

Wadi Ghul (Oman's Grand Canyon)

Highlight (Segment) • Canyon

The Grand Canyon can be explored in several ways:
1. just stop by car on the way to Al Khitaym and look into the impressive canyon (there are great ways to pitch your tent along the canyon)
2. As we walk the Balcony Walk along the steep wall (easy hike) and even explore the deserted village of As Shab

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6.37 km

Viewpoint

6.87 km

View of the Balcony Walk Trail

Highlight • Viewpoint

Here you can see very clearly where the path got its name from. It always runs along a steep slope.

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7.47 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

7.24 km

202 m

< 100 m

Surfaces

7.24 km

151 m

< 100 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Weather

Wednesday 4 November

31°C

20°C

-- %

Additional weather tips

The UV-index reading is high for much of your activity. Don’t forget sunscreen and consider bringing sunglasses.

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

October 1, 2025,Kabel Shams - Balkonweg

I couldn't find the entrance to the pools and the hidden cave at the end. You can't get there without a guide or a lot of time, and you can't climb any further.

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December 27, 2025,Verlassenes Dorf As Sab – Jebel Shams Balcony Walk Runde von Waqif az Zabrah

Great hike with a fitting name 😎 At around 1900 m it was quite warm and there were many tourists, which was to be expected, but it was still beautiful. Very impressive scenery 🤩

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October 10, 2024,Balkony Walk Grand Canyon, Oman Trekking, W6, the way back

Started as a round trip from Al Khitaym, but only recorded the return journey. So double the time and distance! Best to download the Oman Trekking Map. Corresponds to tour W6. Very hot, the sun is shining brightly, but fantastic views.

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February 6, 2024,Jebel Shams Balcony Walk – Grand Canyon Oman boucle au départ de وقيف الزبرة

Magnificent hike with views of the Grand Canyon.

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February 14, 2025,Balcony Walk W6 / Oman 🇴🇲

On today's tour, Steffen and I were on the Balcony Walk. It is located in the steep walls of Wadi Nakhr in the Jebel Shams area, also known as the Grand Canyon of Oman. The starting point is Al Khytaim. The trail leads to the abandoned village of As Sab. There is also the option of walking to a small …

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November 9, 2024,Balcony Trail

Adventurous hike on the so-called “Balcony Trail”, high above Wadi Nakhar.

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February 17, 2025,Jebel Shams🏔 - Wanderung 🚶‍♀️ auf dem Balcony Walk🏔

We chose a really beautiful hike for our penultimate day. The Balcony Walk on Jebel Shams, the highest mountain in Oman at 3009 m. The path leads along the mountainside on narrow paths with a view of the Grand Canyon of Oman. The gorge is several hundred meters deeper than the Grant Canyon in Arizona. The hike is accordingly spectacular. …

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November 2, 2023,Grand Canyon Oman – Jebel Shams Balcony Walk - nur Hinweg aufgezeichnet

This hike has now become a classic in Oman's Grand Canyon. You shouldn't run it on Friday or Saturday as there will be a few Omanis in addition to the tourists. The views into the gorge are fantastic. If you still have the desire and strength, you can walk to the somewhat hidden pool at the end.

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