Oman: Fazayah Beach Panorama
This exceedingly easy Fazayah Beach Panorama hike offers spectacular views of the less-touristy Fazayah Beach in southern Oman, not far from the city of Salalah.
Total Km: 1 km
Total Days: 1
Elevation Gain/Loss: 116m+ / 116m-
Start Point: Fazayah Valley
End Point: Fazayah Valley
GPS Files
This will be one of the easiest hikes we’ve ever published – expect 10-15 minutes walk maximum in each direction plus whatever time you expect to spend taking in the Fazayah Beach Panorama views at the top.
The Fazayah Beach Panorama trek starts from right off the gravel road down to Fazayah Beach itself, at approximately 16°51’28.8″N 53°44’06.9″E. See the photo above for both the trailhead and the entire trail – it climbs steeply up the cliffside on a dirt path before leveling out on a small plateau overlooking Fazayah Beach. The trail extends another 50 meters or so beyond what can be seen in the photo, with the best views from a group of sharp rocks on a promontory that juts out a bit from the main massif. It’s all very straightforward, safe, and easy; suitable for families – though perhaps not quite young children unless you have a way to be very certain that they don’t wander off towards the edge of the cliffs.
After the Fazayah Beach Panorama hike, do be sure to continue down the gravel road to the beach itself, which is quite a nice landscape (if sometimes a little rough for bathing) and a wonderful place to kill a few hours or more.
Alternate Options for Fazayah Beach Panorama
After enjoying the Fazayah Beach Panorama views from the top, it’s possible to continue across the small plateau for a few hundred meters further for views out over popular Mughsail Beach as well. On the day we visited the weather was quite hazy and we couldn’t see much, but it’s not hard to imagine that the lookout here would also be excellent under better weather conditions.
Good To Know
Though trekking in the Middle East doesn’t draw as many visitors as more popular tourist destinations, trekking in Turkey and hiking in Oman are just two of many possible trekking destinations. In Oman, the most popular time for trekking is in the rainy season in Salalah, when verdant valleys and pouring waterfall spring forth from an otherwise dry landscape the rest of the year. Don’t let that restrict you, though – the area can be fun for walking anytime of year. Just be sure to pack plenty of sunscreen and water, and to take whatever you’ll need for the day as services are quite sparse on the ground across most of the country’s landscapes.
Getting to the Fazayah Beach Panorama
You’ll need private transport (or considerably good fortune in hitchhiking) to get to and from the trailhead for the Fazayah Beach Panorama hike. The trailhead is off the gravel road down to the beach itself, at about 16°51’28.8″N 53°44’06.9″E. Expect an hour or more to cover the 65km drive from Salalah, keeping in mind that the last bit is along steep gravel roads that require care and attention. We did the trip in a small sedan, but you’ll find it a lot easier in some kind of 4WD. Either way, it’s easy range for a daytrip and you’ll have time to stop off at other sites on the way there or back from Salalah.
Where to Stay and Eat
It’s possible to wild camp basically anywhere around here, and a few nights on Fazayah Beach could be a beautiful (if windy) proposition. However, you’ll need your own transportation and you’ll need to pack in (and out!) absolutely everything for your party, as there are no services on the ground whatsoever – including fresh water for drinking. If wild camping either isn’t possible or just doesn’t appeal for your group, the nearest selection of tourist-standard accommodation is back in Salalah.
