THE CURIOUS POOLS OF WADI AL ABYAD
18 Jul 2023 || MIDDLE EAST | OMAN
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The country of Oman is full of weird and wonderful geological treats, often located in the semi-arid wadis that scatter the sultanate. Wadi Al Abyad however, is even more extraordinary and distinctive than the usual wadis in Oman.
Wadi Al Abyad, not far from the capital Muscat, is just a little bit different to the other wadis. It’s not full of idyllic turquoise swimming pools and waterfalls, nor is it set in a narrow slot canyon with high, striking walls. Instead, it’s a wide, mountainous, shallow channel laced with pebbles and date palms, edged by small, blue-tinged pools. The wadi culminates in somewhat unusual and surprisingly pearly white pools, patronised by collections of vibrant red dragonflies.
The canyon rocks in Wadi Al Abyad are geologically significant too, exhibiting much evidence about the structure of the interior of our planet. These rocks are even thought to have a positive impact on climate change.
Wadi Al Abyad is a fascinating place for a short road-trip and hike, often overlooked for other, more famous (and busy), destinations. Read on for everything you need to know to visit.
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IN THIS GUIDE //
Wadi Al Abyad
GETTING TO WADI AL ABYAD
TYPE OF CAR FOR WADI AL ABYAD
THE WHITE POOLS
A LITTLE BIT OF GEOLOGY
– OPHIOLITE ROCK AND THE MOHO
– CALCITE DEPOSITS
NEARBY WADI AL ABYAD
A WARNING ABOUT WADIS
FINAL THOUGHTS
GETTING TO WADI AL ABYAD
Wadi Al Abyad is located in Nakhal, South Al Batinah Governorate, in northern Oman. There are two entrances to the wadi, from either the north or the south. So, depending on which you choose, the distance is between 90-110 kilometres west of Muscat.
The northern entrance to the wadi can be accessed at either 23.462771, 57.667027, or 23.463997, 57.669486. Then head south through the gravel wadi, following tracks on the ground wherever possible.
Wadi Al Abyad’s south entrance is located off route 13, at 23.364302, 57.670472. Follow the paved road north to the village of Subaykhah, then follow the track around the right edge of the settlement. Continue north through the gravel wadi and again, follow the tracks wherever possible.
Both routes here are easy to follow if you use Google Satellite view – the tracks are clearly visible.
It is worth noting that this wadi is impossible to pass with any car half-way down, around 23.442027, 57.672630. Rocks in the river/wadi are completely impassable. So, if you want to explore both halves, you’ll need to take a trip from each entrance separately.
⋅ Car Type for Wadi Al Abyad ⋅
You definitely need a four-wheel drive vehicle to access most of Wadi Al Abyad. From either entrance it is pretty much like driving along the bed of a river. There are smooth pebbles along the slowly meandering route and, especially in the northern half, occasional shallow river-crossings.
The terrain is flat and not particularly challenging to drive, but there is often enough water that high-clearance is essential. We’ve visited three times and every time there have been river-crossings.
If you want some of the best wild camping spots, a four-wheel drive vehicle is also helpful to drive up the cliffs/banks to the elevated areas around the hairpins in Wadi Al Abyad.
We’ve written a guide to driving in Oman if you’d like the learn more about the logistics of driving in the country.
CAR HIRE FOR WADI AL ABYAD, OMAN
We always rent our vehicles all over the world, including our recent trips in Oman, with Discover Cars. They’re often the most affordable, plus they paid out immediately on an insurance claim we made when our car took some heavy damage in Sicily. We fully recommend them.
If you book through the link below, we make a small profit, at zero cost to you, which helps us write these posts with no advertising! We only endorse products and companies we *actually* use regularly. For more information, read our position on affiliates.
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TAKE A LOOK → BOOK CAR RENTAL
THE WHITE POOLS AT WADI AL ABYAD
The entire of the wadi is super scenic, but the foremost purpose of a typical visit is to see the bizarre puddles and streams. They look like pools and streams laced with icing sugar and tinted with an unnatural pale blue. These white pools give Wadi Al Abyad its name (Abyad means white, bright/colourless)
The white pools of Wadi Al Abyad are concealed in the most inaccessible section of its snaking length; located in an area where cars from north and south cannot easily reach. Technically, you could drive straight down the middle of the wadi and just plough your way through parts of it (there are sporadic tyre tracks showing previous attempts), but we definitely wouldn’t suggest that in a rental car! Plus, I think it kind of destroys the terrain a bit.
On foot, the easiest way to visit the white pools is by a beautiful, brief hike, accessed from the southern section. It’s about 15 minutes on flat ground (your feet might get wet depending on recent weather – but it’s unlikely). We park around 23.423286, 57.672629 and wander north to around 23.429614, 57.668290.
You can reach the pools from the northern side but it’s much farther on foot and there would be some river crossings. The large rocks that stop cars crossing in the middle cause the water to be a fair bit deeper, so pack appropriate gear.
A LITTLE BIT OF GEOLOGY
There are two geological topics of interest in Wadi Al Abyad. Firstly, the white pools, and secondly, something called ophiolite rock, which is exposed in this wadi.
My university speciality was in science, but I am definitely no chemist or geologist, so this is just a tiny piece of basic information explaining why this area is unusual. Taking a walk through Wadi Al Abyad reveals these geological marvels and, in my opinion, understanding the region adds further value to a visit there.
⋅ Ophiolite Rock and the Moho ⋅
Apparently, the region surrounding Wadi Al Abyad is well-known by geologists due to evidence of the Mohorovičić Discontinuity, or ‘Moho’ transition zone. This is the boundary between the uppermost mantle and lower crust layers in the Earth’s structure. This discontinuity (the border where seismic waves change velocity – I did actually study this!) was discovered in 1909. It is very rare to see the Moho – it usually exists, on average, between 8 and 32 kilometres below the planet’s surface.
Ophiolite (meaning ‘snakestone’) is a section of the Moho that has been uplifted to the surface. Oman contains some of the most significant exposed examples of Ophiolite on the planet. Called the Semail Ophiolite, this rock can be seen throughout the Hajar Mountains. Fascinatingly, along with playing a central role in shaping tectonic theory, it also potentially affects climate change!
Minerals like olivine and pyroxenes, high in reactive magnesium and calcium, are present in the rock within the wadi. These originated from the high pressure and temperature environment at the Earth’s Mantle but are unstable on the planet’s surface. Through weathering, these rocks react with rainwater and air, forming new veins of white carbonates which penetrate deep into the surrounding stone. This process is great for carbon sequestration, as it absorbs carbon dioxide to make magnesium carbonate and calcite.
⋅ Calcite Deposits ⋅
Although the milky-white calcite pools of Wadi Al Abyad may initially appear to have nothing to do with the Moho and the presence of ophiolite rock, this assumption would be incorrect.
As water trickles through the surrounding rocks and collects in the valley, the pools turn white due to the calcite (calcium carbonate) deposits contained in the ophiolites.
It’s pretty cool – the pearly, iridescent waters of Wadi Al Abyad (sort of) originate due to chemical reactions from incredible rare rocks far beneath the Earth’s surface!
An article I found really helpful and accessible about the geology here was this Scientific American one, if you’re interested in reading more.
NEARBY WADI AL ABYAD
Set just on the edge of the Hajar Mountains, Wadi Al Abyad is perfectly situated across from the Ghubrah Bowl, which is home to Wadi Bani Harras and the famous Wakan Village. Visiting these together would make for an epic full-day trip from Muscat.
Around 17 kilometres before the southern entrance to the wadi along Route 13 is the historic town of Nakhal. This town is worth visiting for Nakhal Fort alone (it’s one of our favourites) which is open now after years of extensive renovations. There is also Nakhal souq (23.394389, 57.830474) and some abandoned towers with amazing views (like at 23.387861, 57.822514). In the south of Nakhal is a spring, popular with residents, called Ain Al Thawarah – it’s always been busy when we’ve visited.
Around 40 kilometres past Wadi Al Abyad on Route 13 is Rustaq. This town also has a fort and is the gateway to the epic Wadi As Sahtan, which has some of the best Hajar Mountain scenery and a clear view of Jebel Shams.
For more information on things to do in this region, check our Hajar Mountains off road itinerary and our classic one-week Muscat itinerary.
A WARNING ABOUT WADIS
Never enter any wadi if it’s raining or rain is forecast. People have died in Oman (and across the world) as a result of flooding valleys. Floods in Oman are a common occurrence, especially during the wetter months.
It goes without saying, but never camp in a wadi if the conditions are not certain to be dry.
THE WADI DAMM POOLS | WADI SHAB HIKE
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