Al Wadi Al Kabir, is one locality in the capital endowed with serenity and silence that makes it quite different from the rest of the city. Besides marked trails for hiking and mountain-biking and the popular Wadi Kabir Park, this locality now has added avenues for health and fitness with a brand new jogging and cycle track laid along the arterial road to Al Bustan

Frolicking parrots abound the skies all day, as they take breaks from feeding on the tender buds on date palms while pigeons, turtledoves, mynahs, butterflies and dragon flies add their own charm to the serene precincts. That’s Wadi Kabir, where nature greets you all day and every breath of fresh air is purified by neem trees.

This is, indeed, an ideal place to reside, far from the hustle and bustle of traffic and trade. And if the vast stretches of date palms and neem trees along all internal streets, as well as manicured lawns along the main road, add a refreshing feel to the atmosphere here, the Wadi Kabir Park serves as a green lung amid the residential buildings. Its not uncommon to be refreshed with fragrances of jasmine, desert rose, periwinkle as you move around here.

Wadi Kabir is dotted with low rise buildings, old one-two storey apartment blocks and villas which extend right upto the foot of the mountains on both sides. It also has an industrial area lined with automobile garages and workshops, old shops selling spare parts/tyres and used accessories, and a car graveyard where written off vehicles are dumped. A number of commercial establishments also exist here but they are tucked away from the residential localities where expatriates as well as Omanis have been residing for generations.

Most of the constructions around were completed a few decades ago, including the wide, clean road that winds itself through the mountains to Al Bustan Palace hotel and Barr al Jissah Resort and Spa via Qantab beach. However, residents of Wadi Kabir can now take delight in a brand new jogging and cycling track that has been laid along the main road to promote health and fitness.

Even before the tracks were laid, one could see people of all ages and nationalities walking/jogging along the footpaths every morning and evening. Now with the new track in place, the urge to hit the outdoors for health reasons has picked up momentum and you need to an early bird to enjoy unhindered walks or runs. The lush green lawns adjacent to the tracks is also ideal for people to relax or toddlers to enjoy playing outdoors.

The jogging tracks were laid over a year ago and were very popular among residents even during the restricted hours of lockdown when people venture out early and hurried back home before lamplight. Currently, the civic authorities are coating the tracks with a rubber solution to make it more user-friendly, workers at the site said, adding that it would prevent minor mishaps like slipping or skidding while walking or riding bikes.

Wadi Kabir also has a string of humble restaurants which cater to varied tastes of residents – from Shawarma outlets to dining halls that serve Indian/Arabic fast food and meals. However, even more popular is a street-corner mishkak stall, near the Wadi Kabir Club which does roaring business every evening. As the aromas of freshly grilled meat on skewers rises, there is a beeline here for kebabs, burgers and other grilled items which sell like hotcakes as well as add a new dimension to the mood here.

Wadi Kabir is also well known for its weekend flea market, known as Souq al Jumma wherein vendors come in from different parts of the capital and outside every Friday to sell varied items, from garments and footwear to Frankincense and local produce, used appliances and tools to electronics and cars. The market has been operational for decades on end, except when it was shut for over 18months during the pandemic since vendors and buyers communicate in close proximity to strike good bargains.

If Wadi Kabir lacks something, it is medical facilities and good restaurants. There is no hospital here, except for the Wadi Kabir Health Centre and the Hala Medical Center. But then, these are available in adjacent Ruwi which is just minutes away.

Whether you hit the jogging track, take a 2km stroll towards Al Bustan, enjoy mishkak by the street, or spend time relaxing in the Wadi Kabir Park, Wadi Kabir offers the ideal serene setting for residing in peace. Many residents also regularly enjoy a cool evening drive around the mountains towards Qantab as well as Sidab since there is hardly any traffic or other disturbance around the locality.

Landmarks

Indian School Wadi Kabir

Sri Lankan School Muscat

National Hospitality Institute

Lulu Hypermarket

Nesto Hypermarket

‘Pencil building’

Wadi Kabir Park

Oman Skate

Muscat Sports Club

Hotel Golden Oasis

Wadi Kabir Post Office

Kuwaiti Mosque

Souq al Jumma