The Jordan Trail Route Map and Distance / Elevation Chart
Section One - Umm Qais to Ajloun - 4 Days and Approximately 80km
Section Five - Kerak to Dana - 5 Days and Approximately 95kms
Leaving Kerak the trail passes by and through the villages and settlements of Shehabieh, named Ifranji by the Crusaders and the abandoned Khirbet Ainun. Passing through the olive groves and orchards above Wadi Numeira the trail heads towards Wadi Hasa. The route then descends along a track passing towering limestone cliffs and zigzagging across the wadi bed. It is likely that at whatever time of year you walk the trail you will pass many Bedouin encampments. Climbing back up to the plateau, the trail follows a path until it reaches the Edomite ruins at Sela and Mi’tan. The trail then heads towards the restored village of Dana on the edge of Wadi Dana and at the beginning of the Dana Nature Reserve managed by the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN).
Section Six - Dana to Petra - 4 Days and Approximately 80kms
This was the first section of the trail to be developed and has been recognised as one of the 15 best hikes in the world by National Geographic. Departing Dana Village the trail drops into the Araba Valley before it climbs up again passing through a number of climatic zones, diverse ecosystems and myriad of hills and valleys. It's geological diversity is simply spectacular. The finale of this section of the trail is the Rose Red city of Petra a city carved from the soft sandstone mountains by the Nabateans. The trail enters Petra through the back door and the first glimpse of Petra will be the Monastery, Petra's largest facade. The trail has also be termed the Inca Trail of the Middle East, a worthy comparison.
Section Seven - Petra to Wadi Rum - 7 Days and Approximately 110kms
The trail connects two of Jordan's most iconic tourism and historical sites - Petra and Wadi Rum. This 7 day trek is one of the longest stretches of wilderness the trail passes through. Through this barren, harsh desert terrain you will experience majestic mountains and stunning star filled night skies. Starting in the deep valleys and finishing in open sandy desert this section of the trail passes through places in Jordan that not even the Bedouin visit, although it was probably the route taken by the Arabian Camel trains as they headed to Petra and on to the Mediterranean.
Section Eight - Wadi Rum to Aqaba - 4 Days and Approximately 70kms
Heading through Wadi Rum and south towards Aqaba this is the iconic route that Lawrence of Arabia took when he attacked Aqaba fort in 1917. The trail pases Jebel Khazali and Jebal Qattar down through Wadi Waraaqa to the Bedouin village of Titen.
Leaving Titen and following an old shepherd paths the trail winds its way across the wadis and granite mountains of the desert until you see your first glimpse of the Red Sea. The descent through long sandy wadis to the warm waters of the Red Sea – marks the end of the Jordan Trail.
All Images courtesey of the Jordan Trail Association
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