There’s nothing like taking a break from the hustle and bustle of the city, even if it’s just for a few hours a day. A great way to do so is with an engaging hike through the many trails Jordan has to offer. Whether you’re interested in camping out in nature, or simply walking through a natural landscape, these hiking destinations may just be the thing for you! Keep in mind, most can be booked and organized by contacting Wild Jordan.
There are a lot of great ways to explore a place, but the best by far is by foot. Dana Biosphere Reserve is one of the largest reserves in Jordan, and although that may mean hour long hikes around the area, there’s a simple hack around that called mini hikes. Below are just a few of what the reserve offers to its visitors.
The campsite trail is an hour long hike around Rummana campsite, which is one of the more interesting camps around the Kingdom. This easy intensity hike is a perfect way of taking in the scenic mountainous landscapes of the reserve. Make sure to pack a pair of binoculars, because you may spot a few birds!
Price: 6 JD | Locals
12 JD | Expats
*Includes entrance fee to the reserve + guided tour
They say life is a climb, and the best views are from above. Such is the case with this natural reserve. The Rummana mountain trail starts from the campsite and goes all the way up the mountain, where you get to take in marvelous views of Wadi Araba. On your two hour hike, you’ll get to see magnificent limestone and sandstone formations, and some interesting birds, if you’re lucky!
Price: 6 JD | Locals
12 JD | Expats
*Includes entrance fee to the reserve + guided tour
Perhaps you’ve chosen to spend a night at Dana Guesthouse, or are just visiting the reserve. Either way, the Dana village tour stars at the guesthouse and walks you through a winding trail above the village through the terraced gardens and local craft workshops. Although the two kilometer hike may not be that intense, you’ll still learn a lot about Dana’s rich history, and the original Ottoman architecture at the reserve.
Price: 6 JD | Locals
12 JD | Expats
*Includes entrance fee to the reserve + guided tour
The first guided trail in an elaborate list of breathtaking hikes. The White Dome trail contours the huge escarpments of the canyon-like Dana valley, and takes you on an eight kilometer journey through the terraced gardens of the village. You should keep an eye out for the captivating views ahead, preferably keeping a camera ready at hand.
Price: 6 JD | Locals
15 JD | Expats
*Includes entrance fee to the reserve + guided tour
Although part of the Dana Biosphere Reserve, Feynan Ecolodge offers an experience unlike any other. It’s considered the number one eco tourism destination in Jordan, and is ranked among the best 25 ecolodges worldwide, offering sanctuary to those who want to reconnect with nature and themselves.
A three kilometer hike around Feynan Ecolodge is just what the soul needs after countless days of city life living. Especially when it means a chance at spotting a few rare and endangered animals. Not only that, but you get to see the varied nature of the Great Rift Valley.
Price: 100 JD ++ | Private guided tour
*Includes entrance fee to the reserve + guided tour
Even with a car, sixteen kilometers are quite a distance. Wadi Ghuweir trail is an eight hour hike made for the bravest and fittest. It takes you on a scenic journey through the natural landscape surrounding the river, and promises that your jaw drops in the best of ways. About halfway through this hike, you’ll be offered tea as your guide tells you more about the area you’re losing so much sweat in.
Price: 14 JD | Locals
20 JD | Expats
*Includes entrance fee to the reserve + guided tour
Located in the highlands of Ajloun north of the capital, this forest reserve is home to a wide variety of wild flora and fauna, archaeological ruins and some pretty cool animals. Not to mention the serene ecolodges. Simply walking through this site is rewarding in itself, but knowing that you might spot a striped hyena might just make it a little more intriguing.
You’d think a house at the end of a trail would be made out of candy. Let’s face it though, this isn’t a fairy tale. The Soap House trail is a seven kilometer hike that takes you to Orjan, the village next door. It offers promising sights of interesting ruins, an old wine press and one of the oldest strawberry trees in the reserve. To no surprise, the trail concludes with a visit to the soap house, where you learn how local women create pure olive oil soap from scratch.
Price: 11 JD | Locals
17 JD | Expats
*Includes entrance fee to the reserve + guided tour
A trail named after the flowers of the area. The Rockrose trail takes you through the thick woodlands, orchards, farms and villages around the reserve. It offers breathtaking views of the West Bank, Syria and the Jordanian countryside. Not only will you unearth natural sights known to few, you’ll get to pass by a wine and olive press that date back to the Byzantine and Roman eras.
Price: 11 JD | Locals
17 JD | Expats
This hike is an educational continuation to the previous hike leading up to the soap house. It starts off at Mar Elias and takes you by a bunch of small farm houses and their adjacent orchards all the way up to Ajloun Castle. The views from the wooded valley are well worth the trip, as they overlook the West Bank and Syria. You’re probably going to need a lot of stamina, as you’ll be walking uphill towards the castle. Keep in mind, this is an 18 kilometer hike, and takes up a whole day.
Price: 26 JD | Locals
32 JD | Expats
*Includes entrance fee to the reserve + guided tour
One of the more commonly visited canyons in Jordan, Wadi Mujib towers above its namesake river and covers over 70 kilometers worth of land. If you follow its river, you’ll eventually end up at the Dead Sea. And what better way to conclude a hike? Below are just two of the many hike trails this canyon has to offer.
Dorothy may have had to follow the yellow brick road, but you’ll have to follow the river. Wedged between sandstone cliffs and leading up to a rewarding waterfall, a hike on the Siq trail offers many captivating views. As it may force you to swim across pools of water, it’d be a good idea to seal your phone or camera with a ziplock bag.
Price: 15 JD | Locals
21 JD | Expats
*Only includes entrance fee to the reserve
Anyone who’s been on a four hour hike must’ve reached their destination thinking of a cold, refreshing shower. Good thing that the canyon trail leads up to a natural waterfall. The canyon trail hike by the river stream can be a little challenging to first timers. You’ll probably want to build your way up to it at first. If you do decide on going through with it, make sure you wear the right shoes.
Price: 20 JD | Locals
31 JD | Expats
*Includes entrance fee to the reserve + guided tour
Hiking through the Jordan Trail has been proved to be a challenge worthy of taking. You may not walk the whole 650 kilometers, but it’s good to explore the trail with moderate hikes. One of the lesser known trails is the one that leads up to King Talal Dam from Mountain Breeze Lodge & Resort. Sure, a swimming pool and a comfortable bed may be worth luring you into the resort. Then again a hike is a great reason to escape your comfort zone. Be sure to use Google Maps, as this won’t be guided by anything other than Siri and Bixby.
Remember, every step you take away from your starting point is a step you’ll have to take back.
Lemur Love,
The Tip n’ Tag Team
where can i find more information about each of these trails