Hiking in Jordan: The Best Trails for Every Level

Most visitors to Jordan see it from a vehicle or on a short walk between monuments. But Jordan is, at heart, a hiker's country. From the carved canyons of Wadi Mujib and the flower-rich highlands of Dana Reserve to the ancient stairways carved into Petra's cliffs and the forested ridges of Ajloun, Jordan offers walking experiences of extraordinary variety — and almost every trail leads through a landscape of deep historical significance. Here is our expert guide to Jordan's finest hiking trails, organized from accessible to challenging.

Why Jordan Is One of the World's Best Hiking Destinations

Jordan's terrain is extraordinarily varied for a small country. In the north, oak and juniper forests cover the highlands of Ajloun. The central highlands along the King's Highway drop westward into the deep canyons of the Rift Valley — Wadi Mujib, Wadi Hasa, Wadi Dana — which cut spectacularly through layers of red and black sandstone toward the Dead Sea. In the south, the Petra highlands give way to the vast desert plateaus and sandstone mountains of Wadi Rum. The entire country sits on some of the most geologically diverse and visually spectacular terrain in the Middle East.

Adding to the natural drama is the human layer. Almost every trail in Jordan passes through landscapes inhabited and shaped over thousands of years — Nabataean water channels carved into canyon walls, Byzantine agricultural terraces on hillsides, Roman roads still bearing boot traffic as they did 2,000 years ago. Hiking here is simultaneously a physical and a historical experience.

Jordan's hiking infrastructure has developed significantly in recent years. The Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN) manages several spectacular reserves with maintained trails, local guide programs, and accommodation options. The Jordan Trail Association has waymarked a 650-kilometer national trail from Umm Qais in the north to Aqaba in the south. International outdoor travel is increasingly recognizing what local nature lovers have known for decades.

Wadi Mujib – The Siq Trail (Difficulty: Moderate)

Wadi Mujib is Jordan's most dramatic canyon — a 4-kilometer gorge that cuts through the Moab highlands and drops 900 meters to the Dead Sea shore. The canyon's walls tower hundreds of meters above the narrow river bed, and the Siq Trail follows the river directly through the heart of the gorge, wading through knee-deep water, scrambling over boulders, and passing through narrows so tight that the sky disappears.

The Siq Trail is the most popular route and requires no technical skills — but it does require comfort with wading through water (you will get wet above the knee at minimum), good physical fitness, and an absence of hydrophobia. The trail starts at the Dead Sea shore and follows the river upstream to a waterfall, approximately 2–3 hours round-trip. Life jackets are provided and compulsory, and the current can be strong particularly in winter and early spring. A local guide is included in the reserve entry arrangements.

The scenery inside the gorge is otherworldly — sheer black basalt walls reflect in the emerald water, while waterfalls and natural water slides provide regular moments of exhilaration. This is one of the most uniquely thrilling outdoor experiences in Jordan — genuinely unlike anything available elsewhere in the Middle East.

Practical: The trail is seasonal — open approximately April through October. Closed during winter due to dangerous water levels. The trailhead is located at the Wadi Mujib visitor center on the Dead Sea shore, 90 km south of Amman. A change of clothes and a waterproof bag for electronics are essential.

Dana Biosphere Reserve (Multiple Trails: Easy to Strenuous)

Jordan's largest nature reserve, covering 320 square kilometers of extraordinarily varied terrain from the highland plateau at 1,500 meters down through dramatic sandstone canyons to the desert floor of Wadi Araba at 50 meters below sea level. The biodiversity within this single reserve is remarkable — Mediterranean forest at the top gives way to sub-tropical desert vegetation at the bottom, and over 800 plant species, 215 bird species, and 37 mammals (including ibex, wolves, and the rare sand cat) inhabit the reserve.

The village of Dana itself — a beautifully preserved stone village on the canyon rim — is one of the most atmospheric places in Jordan. The RSCN operates a guesthouse here and trains local community members as hiking guides, ensuring that visitor income goes directly to the local community.

Best Trails in Dana

• Rummana Mountain Trail (Easy, 2 hours): A morning loop through juniper forest from the Rummana campsite. Exceptional wildflower displays in spring (April–May) and the best viewpoints over the entire Wadi Dana canyon system.
• Wadi Dana Trail (Moderate, 4–5 hours one-way): The classic Dana hike — descending from the plateau village through the full canyon, past ancient copper mines (some dating to the Neolithic period), bronze-age settlements, and extraordinary geological formations to the Feynan Ecolodge in Wadi Araba below. Arrange in advance for a vehicle transfer back up.
• Wadi Ghueir Trail (Moderate, 3 hours): A narrows hike through a dramatic slot canyon with pools, rock scrambling sections, and remarkable sandstone formations. Less visited than Wadi Mujib but equally spectacular.
• Dana to Petra Trek (Strenuous, 2–3 days): A multi-day wilderness trek connecting the Dana Reserve to Petra via ancient traders' routes. One of the finest multi-day walking experiences in the Middle East — organized through the RSCN or specialist hiking operators with overnight camping arrangements.

Petra's Hidden Hiking Routes (Easy to Challenging)

Most visitors to Petra follow the main trail from the Siq to the Royal Tombs — but the site covers 264 square kilometers of mountainous terrain, and dozens of trails fan out through the surrounding highlands, connecting hundreds of monuments that most tourists never see.

• High Place of Sacrifice (Moderate, 2 hours): Starting from the Street of Facades opposite the Theatre, this well-marked trail climbs via a stairway of 800 rock-cut steps to the Nabataean high place — a sacrificial platform with panoramic views over all of Petra. The recommended descent via Wadi Farasa passes the carved Lion Fountain and several of Petra's most beautiful and least-visited monuments.
• Jabal Haroun (Strenuous, 7–8 hours): A full-day trek to the summit (1,350m) of Mount Aaron — the mountain where Moses' brother Aaron is traditionally said to be buried. A Mamluk-era white dome marks the tomb at the summit. The trail passes through completely empty desert highland landscape with extraordinary views. Requires a guide and is best driven to the starting point from Wadi Musa.
• Petra Back Trail (Strenuous, 5–6 hours): Approaching Petra from the east via the traditional Bedouin trail — walking through the Shobak highlands and descending into Petra from the back. Exceptional views of the site from above before descending into the gorges.
• Al-Beidha Archaeological Area (Easy): Adjacent to Little Petra, an easy walk loops through the remains of one of the world's oldest Neolithic villages (7000 BC) — excavated mud-brick structures remarkably visible in the landscape.

Wadi Rum on Foot (All Levels)

While Wadi Rum is most commonly explored by 4WD desert tour, hiking here offers an entirely different and deeply rewarding experience. The scale of the landscape — sandstone mountains rising abruptly from the flat valley floor, stretching for dozens of kilometers in every direction — communicates itself best on foot.

• Khazali Canyon (Easy, 1 hour): A short walk into a narrow canyon with some of the finest Nabataean and Thamudic rock inscriptions and carvings in Wadi Rum — camels, horses, humans, and abstract symbols etched into the sandstone walls over 2,000 years ago.
• Jebel Burdah Rock Bridge Ascent (Challenging, 4 hours): One of the most famous rock bridges in Wadi Rum requires a scrambling ascent to reach — the final section involves a very exposed traverse of rock. The views from the natural arch's top are extraordinary. Only for those comfortable with heights and with a local guide.
• Umm Fruth Rock Bridge (Moderate, 1 hour): A more accessible rock bridge that can be scrambled to with less exposure. Good for hikers wanting the Wadi Rum rock bridge experience without the full technical challenge of Jebel Burdah.
• Desert walking with Bedouin guides: Open-ended walks through the dunes and valley bottom, stopping at inscriptions, water sources, and viewpoints that only local guides know. The best Wadi Rum hiking experiences are unscripted — led by Bedouin who have walked this land their entire lives.

Ajloun Forest Reserve (Easy to Moderate)

In Jordan's wooded northwest, the RSCN's Ajloun Forest Reserve covers 13 square kilometers of Mediterranean forest — primarily Palestine oak, wild strawberry trees, carob, and pines — that is unlike any other landscape in Jordan. Walking here feels more like the Aegean than the Middle East, and in spring (March–April) the forest floor is carpeted with wildflowers: cyclamens, anemones, crocuses, and poppies in extraordinary profusion.

Three maintained trails fan out from the reserve's visitor center, ranging from a 2-kilometer nature stroll to a 9-kilometer circuit through the forest with views across the Jordan Valley. The reserve also offers a guided night walk for wildlife spotting — roe deer, wild boar, stone marten, and the extremely rare Persian squirrel are all resident.

Ajloun combines beautifully with Ajloun Castle (5 km away) and Jerash (25 km south) for a full day in Jordan's north — forest walking in the morning, Roman archaeology in the afternoon.

The Jordan Trail: A National Long-Distance Route

For serious long-distance hikers, The Jordan Trail (jordantrail.org) is one of the most remarkable walking routes in the world. Established in 2015 and continuously developed since, the officially waymarked trail covers 650 kilometers from Umm Qais in the far north to Aqaba on the Red Sea coast, passing through virtually every major landscape, historical site, and ecological zone in Jordan.

The complete trail takes approximately 40 days to walk in its entirety. However, its greatest value for most visitors is in its individual sections — each of which can be walked independently as a day hike or multi-day excursion. Key sections include:

• Section 3 (North): Ajloun to Jerash — forested ridges and valley views, 1–2 days
• Section 10: Dana to Petra — the finest multi-day section, 3 days through spectacular wilderness
• Section 12: Wadi Rum — desert highlands and valley floor, 2 days with Bedouin guide

The Jordan Trail website provides GPS tracks, accommodation lists (ranging from Bedouin camps to guesthouses), and detailed route notes for every section.

Best Season for Hiking in Jordan

• Spring (March–May): Best overall. Temperatures ideal, wildflowers in bloom, water sources active. The absolute prime season for Dana, Ajloun, and the Highland trails. Wadi Mujib opens in April.
• Autumn (September–November): Excellent. Cooler after summer heat, clear visibility, Wadi Mujib still open through October. The best season for Petra hiking when summer crowds have thinned.
• Winter (December–February): For highland and desert only. Perfect conditions in the Wadi Rum desert (cool daytime, cold nights). Snow occasionally falls on the highlands and Petra — beautiful but requiring warm gear. Wadi Mujib CLOSED due to flash flood risk.
• Summer (June–August): Avoid south and east. Wadi Mujib is open but the hike itself is cooling. Petra is extremely hot in the exposed valley by midday. Dana's higher elevations remain pleasant. Ajloun and the northern forests are best in summer.

Essential Gear & Safety for Hiking in Jordan

• Footwear: Sturdy hiking shoes with ankle support for most trails. Sandals are only appropriate for Wadi Mujib (water trail) — everywhere else, proper hiking footwear is essential on rocky, uneven terrain.
• Water: Carry more than you think you need. The standard desert rule is a minimum of 1 liter per hour of walking in hot conditions. Water sources are unreliable on most trails — bring everything from the car or guesthouse.
• Sun protection: Hat, high-SPF sunscreen, and UV-protective long sleeves for summer and spring walks in the south and east. Jordan's UV index is extremely high.
• Flash floods: In canyon trails (Wadi Mujib, Wadi Dana narrows), flash floods can occur with no warning even in apparently clear weather. Always check with the reserve rangers or guides before entering canyons, and never hike in narrows during or after rain in the region.
• Navigation: Download trail GPS tracks from the Jordan Trail website or Maps.me before setting out. Mobile signal can be absent in deep canyons and remote highland areas.
• Local guides: For all but the most clearly marked trails, hiring a local guide is strongly recommended. Beyond safety, a Bedouin or trained nature guide transforms the experience — pointing out plants, tracks, archaeological features, and historical layers that are invisible without local knowledge.