Bani Kahlid (Lower)
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Red Tape: Shuttle:Optional 50.0km Vehicle:Passenger | |||||||||||||||
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| Condition Reports: | 21 Jan 2025
"Give self time to explore down canyon in mid day when direct sun lights up the water in spectacular color. Great jumping and gorgeous waterfalls, alco |
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22.5467, 59.1189
22.5508, 59.1179
22.5093, 59.1233
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WaterflowIntroduction
This is Wadi Hawar, a lower section of gorge below Bani Khalid, this is NOT the hugely popular Wadi Bani Khalid, this page describes a section of that same wadi but about 8km south. This lower section does not have the same easy-access infrastructure (concrete walkways and steps), but it is just as pleasant and perhaps more impressive after some challenging hiking. This lower section does receive adventure tourism and the car park in the village of Bideah will fill-up mid-morning. The canyon has numerous pools, all obstacles can be avoided by walking or swimming.
From a canyon purist perspective, this lower section of Wadi Bani Khalid is preferred to the main tourist section because it is wilder, the cliffs taller and has less people. The main gorge is quite spectacular even though it isn't a slot per se.
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Approach
Most groups visit as an out-and-back return hike from the top/north (village of Bideah) - two benefits: shorter walk to falls/pools, and, you can also visit the main Wadi Bani Khalid tourist site on the same day for a swim. However, it is possible to approach from below/south (village of Sayq / Saiq) which has the benefit of being a shorter drive from the main highway 23. You can also do an 8km one-way through-hike with a shuttle.
The approach is described from the top/north. The road is paved all the way to the parking area.
From main highway 23, you initially follow signs for Wadi Bani Khalid, however, once you reach the village of Bani Khalid, you must ignore signs and make your own navigation. You need to drive south to the village of Bideah on narrow paved roads and park at the entrance to the village (22.55076543014754, 59.11784963216776). There are not many camping options in the valley, perhaps the best is at the ford about 0.5km before reaching Bideah.
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PLEASE DO NOT BLOCK ACCESS ACROSS THE WADI. It might not look like it, but families do live on the other side of the river and drive across the gravel. When we were there, 3 cars in-a-row blocked access, we asked them to move, they moved, then 1-minute later another car arrived and parked in the same place.
From the parking area, walk along the dirt road alongside the river towards the blue hotel perched above the wadi. Just under the hotel, the wadi makes a sharp turn to the right where the gorge begins. A 4WD can camp here in the narrow wadi bed between cliffs.
Descent
Described from the top/north. It's about 1km to the two waterfalls, then the impressive gorge is just beyond. It's 8km for the through-hike to Sayq / Saiq.
There is a shallow canyon with a large pool immediately, but most groups will walk around this on a wide slab/ramp to the left. The slab gradually descends back to the river and enters the water, at this point, a via ferrata (chain and stemples) climbs the 5m tall left wall to access the next slab and ramp on the left.
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You'll note the rock strata all around is sloping. This next wide sloping ledge gradually reaches the river again. You climb around a few boulders against the left wall, then most groups enter the water at this point. There are stemples to climb the left wall if you wish to remain dry a little longer. Just after this point are 2 lovely waterfalls with bolts above on either side for wet abseils. The 2nd waterfall has a chain to enable people to get into position to jump. It's easiest to walk around the 2 waterfalls on the right.
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Follow red paint markings through boulders to where the gorge walls narrow to form a narrow majestic gorge.
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The rock slabs are very slippery under water. You can swim through the magnificnet gorge.
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Once through the straight section of soaring cliffs, the wadi turns left briefly and widens, before entering another couple of sections of narrow gorge.
Exit
Retrace your steps.
Red tape
Please dress modestly and be respectful of Omani culture.
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Beta sites
Descente-Canyon.com : Bani Khalid (inférieur)
Canyon.Carto.net : Wadi Bani Khalid Lower- Climbing7 Archive : Wadi Bani Khalid
- Climbing7 : Wadi Bani Khalid
