The Jabal Akhdar (Green Mountain) with its craggy peaks, gorges, ancient villages, and picturesque terraced hillsides towers high above the plains surrounding Nizwa and is one of Oman’s most imposing attractions. Visitors are drawn to the mountain by its stunning panoramic views (including ‘Diana’s point’), opportunities for adventure, and the prospect of pampering themselves at its comfortable resort hotels. The area renowned throughout Oman for the fertility of its soil and, remarkable in Arabia, is dotted with carefully tended orchards where pomegranates, apples, apricots and walnuts flourish. Between March and May the Jabal Akhdar’s damask roses bloom turning the hillsides pink. The roses are harvested each year and used to make rose water – a staple of many Omani households. Much of the Jabal Akhdar is above 2,000m in altitude giving the region a cooler Mediterranean-style climate that is wonderfully refreshing when contrasted with coastal Muscat. A more temperate climate makes the Jabal Akhdar an ideal location for outdoor adventure. Hiking, cycling, and via ferrata are all popular activities. The Four Villages walk between the villages of Al Aqur and Sayq follows the irrigation canals and is easy going and particularly scenic; while the Al Masdara walk offers the opportunity to do something more challenging with the prospect of a swim at the end in a natural pool. Families are also well catered for in the Jabal Akhdar with hotels such as the Alila Jabal Akhdar offering daily children’s activities. A visit to the Jabal Akhdar mountain will change your perception of Arabia.