Jabal Shams or Jebel Shams is a mountain located in northeastern Oman north of Al Hamra town. It is known as Jabal Shams because it is the first place to receive sunrise in Oman due to its high peak. It is the highest mountain of the Hajar range and the country. The mountain is a popular sightseeing area located 240 km (150 mi) from Muscat. In the summer, the temperature is around 20 °C (68 °F) and in the winter it drops to less than 0 °C (32 °F). Jabal Shams also hosts Al Nakhur Canyon which is labeled as the Grand Canyon of Arabia.

The highest point of the mountain is the North Summit, which is occupied by a military base and is a restricted area. The Ministry of Tourism, Sultanate of Oman, states the North Summit to be 3,009 m (9,872 ft) high. The mountain also has a second summit, the South Summit, which is publicly accessible for trekking via the W4 Trail, marked by the Oman Ministry of Tourism. The elevation of the second south summit is 2,997 m (9,833 ft).

Here are some of the best things to do when in Jebel Shams.

Scenery : The first thing to do there is quietly enjoying the beauty. You’ll find a few viewing points to the mountain village if you walk through the Jebel Shams balcony walk. Along with Jebel Shams, all the mountains make a spectacular scenery that stuns the visitors. The Grand Canyon especially gives it an earth-shattering look to entice the tourist. Also, this Mountain is the place to receive the first sunlight of the day. People had built most of their houses with mud, and this takes you entirely back to that ancient time.

Camping : It’s a guarantee for you to have a terrific Mountain experience from Jebel Shams Oman. If you reach the peak of the Mountain, you’re likely to see two resorts: Jebel shams resort and the sunrise resort. You can pitch your tents and start enjoying the campfire with other guests.

Stargazing : Imagine yourself on top of a 3000m mountain, and you’re gazing at the stars above your head with some other guests. The stars look bigger and more apparent than the regular stars. The best time to visit Jebel Shams is April to October, as the sky is more transparent for stargazing.

Summit Hike This is Oman’s most popular hiking spot among the Jebel Shams hike. While hiking the trail, you may experience the Jebel Shams snow, which you won’t find in any other Jebel Shams hike. This hike will offer you the best sceneries of Jebel shams as no other trail did. Perfect for you if cold and windy weather is your priority for a hike.