Oman: Muttrah Loop C38
A quick and easy loop around the Muttrah area of Muscat, with some nice harbour views and surprisingly peaceful nature just beyond the heart of the city.
Muttrah Loop: Overview
Total Km: 3.8 km
Total time: 2h
Elevation Gain/Loss: 191m+ / 191m-
Start Point: Muttrah Souq
End Point: Muttrah Souq
GPS Files
An easy morning walk – paved much of the way, and where unpaved crossing mostly easy walking with just a few very short climbs. It’s an excellent morning to start a visit to the old town area.
The Muttrah Loop is one of the easiest and most accessible hikes in Oman – a quick couple of hours to start off a day of exploring the Muttrah Souq. Start the walk from Muttrah Souq itself, headed east directly along the Corniche for around 1km to Riyam Park, passing along the way some nice views out over the water and back to the central harbour.
Arriving to Riyam park, cut in to the small settlement set back against the mountains at the edge of the park, looking for a signed staircase that points towards the C38 trail which begins to climb away from the park to the southwest. Around 500m on, look for another sign atop a small clearing that points to the 39B trail that continues on to the SSW. Expect excellent views from here and for the next short stretch out towards the Gulf.
The way climbs onwards briefly to the top of a small valley, descending quickly to the floor and then turning along a dry waterflow to descend back northwards towards the souq and harbour, climbing briefly towards the end up a small rockfall to avoid the dam that now blocks the downward valley path.
Just beyond, the way rejoins the neighborhood for what is effectively the end of the Muttrah Loop hike, with the last 500m leading back downhill towards the Corniche and closing the end of the Muttrah Loop.
Alternate Options for Muttrah Loop
One could obviously start the hike directly from the edge of Riyam Park, cutting off the first 1.5km or so, but on an already short walk the waterfront stroll at the beginning is a nice addition to the Muttrah Loop, as is the idea of starting and ending right from the bazaar.
Good To Know
Getting to the Muttrah Loop
The trailhead within the souq area is accessible from across Muscat by bus or taxi, or private cars could park at Riyam Park to start and end the hike from there.
Costs and Practicalities
There are no costs associated with the Muttrah Loop hike, aside from perhaps transportation and food/snacks. You will want to take water, particularly if for some reason you’ve elected to make the walk in the midday heat. But try to avoid that.
