Wadi Bani Khalid: the pools and Muqal Cave

From the car park at the entrance to Wadi Bani Khalid (وادي بني خالد), take the paved path into the valley beside the falaj and the pools, where palms stand along the water. The path becomes a rocky footpath along the valley side, graded mountain hiking in OpenStreetMap, and climbs to the upper pools and the mouth of Muqal Cave (مغارة مقل), mapped as a cave entrance. Come back the same way.

It is 5.0 km there and back with 231 m of ascent; allow about 2 hours. The grade is Easy: a mix of concrete path and rocky trail, with a steady climb of about 100 m to the upper pools.

Visitors swim in the pools, but signs at the entrance warn against swimming or diving in deep water, and a rescue team covers the valley, the Oman Observer reported in 2025. Dress modestly, as the signs ask. Never go into the wadi when rain is forecast in the mountains: a person drowned here during the severe weather of March 2026, the Oman Observer reported. There is little shade, so carry water, and go early 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.