Sheikh (Sheekh) is a small town high in the Golis mountains, at about 1,430 metres, and the seat of Sheikh District in the Sahil region. It lies on the Berbera–Burao highway, around 70 km from Berbera and 60 km from Burao.

The road that climbs from the hot coastal plain through the mountain pass is one of the most scenic drives in the region. Somaliland declared independence in 1991; the Federal Government of Somalia considers it part of Somalia, and it is not recognised as a state by the United Nations or most countries.

On the edge of town lie the ruins of Fardowsa, a medieval trading town. A Spanish team from Incipit-CSIC has excavated there since 2016, dating the settlement to roughly the 12th–16th centuries and finding imported goods such as Chinese porcelain.

The modern town began as a religious settlement in the 19th century. Sheikh Secondary School opened in 1958 and became one of the best-known schools in the country; damaged during the war, it was restored and reopened in 2003.

Sheikh Secondary School educated a generation of scholars and leaders. The cool climate and mountain scenery make the town a favourite stopover for travellers between Berbera and Burao.

The local economy relies on livestock, small trade and services for travellers on the highway.