Al Hoota is a geological masterpiece, sculpted by water for a couple of million years. It is also your gateway to a corner of the Western Hajar packed with attractions to marvel at, from the red-tinged mud of Al Hamra to the inside ledge of our very own Grand Canyon. Jebel Shams, Wadi Ghul, Sharaf al Alamayn, Balad Seet, Misfat al Abriyeen and Birkat Sharaf are all there for the taking.

Al Hoota Cave got its train and the mountainsides all around are getting paved roads. While we open up our natural attractions, we must also shoulder an increased responsibility. With accessibility should come education, especially the knowledge of what value such wonders hold. As signboards along hiking paths through the Hajar state: “Take only photographs, leave only footprints.”

Mohana Prabhakar
Managing Editor