Muscat – Jabal Akhdar will introduce a new adventure attraction later this month with the launch of a 310m zipline designed to enhance domestic tourism and expand leisure activities in one of Oman’s most popular mountain destinations.

Named Apex, the zipline is expected to officially open to visitors by the end of April following a trial phase currently underway, according to the project developer.

Speaking to Muscat Daily, Al Muhannad Al Nabhani, owner of Al Jabal Adventures LLC and operator of the project, said work began about six months ago and the facility has now entered its final testing stage.

“The project is currently undergoing trial runs and we expect to officially launch it for visitors by the end of this month,” he said.

The zipline stretches 310m and runs about 20m above the ground, allowing riders to reach speeds of up to 60kmph. It will become the second-longest zipline in Oman, after the 1.8km attraction in Musandam.

The ride starts near Sama Hotel Jabal Akhdar and ends at Layali Al Jabal Al Akhdar Restaurant, offering visitors a sweeping aerial perspective of the mountain landscape. Riders will glide above canyon terrain while enjoying panoramic views of the surrounding highlands.

During the descent, zipliners will also be able to observe several historic mountain villages, including Al Aqar, Al Shraija and Al Ain, known for their terraced farms, traditional stone houses and dramatic natural scenery.

At the end of the ride, visitors will arrive at the restaurant area where they can relax and enjoy the mountain setting.

Al Nabhani said the project faced a number of challenges during development, particularly sourcing specialised equipment and completing regulatory procedures.

“One of the biggest challenges was finding the appropriate cable that meets international safety specifications. It was not available locally, so we imported it from Italy.”

He added that obtaining the necessary approvals took nearly two years before construction could begin.

Despite these hurdles, the team pressed ahead with the project to enrich tourism experiences in the mountain destination.

Strict safety measures have been implemented, including a maximum rider weight of 120kg and trained staff assigned to operate and supervise the attraction.

According to Al Nabhani, the project introduces a new recreational offering in Jabal Akhdar, where hotels are plentiful but entertainment activities remain limited.

“We need more recreational and commercial attractions that draw tourists from within Oman and abroad,” he said.

Looking ahead, the company plans to expand the project by extending the zipline to nearly 1km, potentially reaching the village of Al Qasha in a future phase.

If realised, the expansion would create one of the longest adventure rides in Oman and further strengthen Jabal Akhdar’s appeal as a year-round tourism destination.