Misfat Al Abriyyin: the old village and its falaj terraces

From the car park at Misfat Al Abriyyin, walk into the old village by its stone lanes and follow the footpaths down among the terraces, where date palms and other trees grow beside stone-lined falaj channels, the water channels that carry spring water by gravity to the fields. The way runs out to the falaj spring and then loops back by the Misfah roundway to the village, which stands at about 950 m on the edge of Jebel Akhdar. OpenStreetMap maps these paths as parts of the W9 routes (W9a, W9c and W9e).

It is a 2.8 km loop with 164 m of ascent; allow about 1¼ hours, more to wander and look. The grade is Easy: footpaths and steps, uneven and slippery in places, with some short climbs. OpenStreetMap shows a spring and drinking water close to the line.

People live in the village and tend these gardens: dress modestly, with arms and legs covered, keep to the paths and do not photograph people without asking. Walk early and carry water in the warm months.

Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.