Qa’daa Village, cradled in the rugged terrain of Wadi Bih along the border of Musandam, offers a unique glimpse into the past, where ancient traditions meet the challenges of the harsh mountain environment. Accessed through an advanced hiking loop, this hike takes adventurers through dramatic limestone shelves, tiered canyons, and areas of vibrant hanging gardens, where rare plants like the cartilage caper thrive on the cliff walls. The route requires scrambling, climbing, and navigating scree slopes as hikers make their way up to the village, an isolated settlement built from stone houses that once served as homes for the Shehhi and Hebsi tribes. The village's traditional architecture and farming terraces are still in use today, preserving the region's deep-rooted cultural heritage.
The return journey through Leopard Canyon offers a steep descent along an old donkey trail, winding its way down the mountain slopes. This trail, once used for transporting goods, provides an immersive way to experience the rugged beauty of the area as it leads hikers back to the valley floor. Along the way, the canyon’s steep walls and intricate rock formations create a sense of awe, while the historic route offers a tangible connection to the area's past. This challenging hike through Qa’daa Village and Leopard Canyon is a perfect blend of adventure, history, and natural beauty, making it a must-do for experienced hikers and those keen to explore Ras Al Khaimah’s hidden gems.
N.B: Please see the tentative itinerary for this trail including scheduled dates, below. Kindly note that details such as elevation, meet up times, location, trail info etc., serve as a guide only and that ECC Adventures has the right to cancel or change these dates and itinerary as required without any prior notice.
Final details related to each event will be confirmed with those who have booked online, at least 24 hours before the start of each hike via a WhatsApp group chat created closer to the time of the hike. So, please ensure that you receive the most-up-to-date itinerary before joining the hike.
Example itinerary:
6:00 AM: Meet at the ADNOC gas station (Jebel Jais) and convoy to the trailhead (Heavy off-roading, 4x4 required, sedans will need to park beforehand)
7:20 AM: Begin hike
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Finish hike
- Experienced and certified mountain guide (English speaking)
- Outdoor education, Assistant Guide/s
- First Aid
- Hat
- Backpack
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- 1-2 liters of water (DEC – MAR) | 2-3 liters of water (for the rest of the months).
- Salted snacks and/or fruit for a few hours of hiking with a little extra.
- Hiking boots or trainers with good grip/not worn out.
- Shorts or comfortable hiking pants/leggings.
- T-shirt light pullover for sun protection/warmth in the morning/evening.
- Trekking poles (optional to help with balance or mitigate fatigue).
