Up to 2 hours
Dana Hiking Trails
From Rummana Campsite:
Campsite Trail
(March 15 – October 31), guided or self-guided
Grade: Easy
Distance: 1.5 km
Time: 1 hour
Starting time: 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. from the Rummana Campsite
Group size: 4-20 people
Description: This circular walk around the Rummana campsite is a great place to see birds, especially during migration seasons. The scenic viewpoints along the trail offer picturesque views of the Dana Mountains.
The Cave Trail
(March 15 – October 31), guided or self-guided
Grade: Easy to moderate
Distance: 1.5 km
Time: 1.5 hours
Starting time: 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. from the Rummana Campsite
Group size: 4-20 people
Requirements: No fear of heights
Description: Starting at the Rummana campsite, this trail passes by the unusual sandstone formations of Shaq al Kalb (Wadi of the Dog) to a group of small caves, believed to have been a religious retreat or hermitage.
Rummana Mountain Trail
(March 15 – October 31), guided or self-guided
Grade: Moderate
Distance: 2.5 km
Time: 2 hours
Starting time: 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. from the Rummana Campsite
Group size: 4-20 people
Description: This circular trail starts from the campsite and ascends to the top to Rummana Mountain, where the views of Wadi Araba are breathtaking. Highlights on the trail include magnificent sandstone and limestone formations, birds of prey, and beautiful views of the nature reserve.
From Dana Guesthouse:
Dana Village Tour
(Year-round), guided or self-guided
Grade: Easy
Distance: 2 km
Time: 1-1.5 hours
Starting time: 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. from the Dana Guesthouse
Group size: 4-20 people
Description: Starting from the Dana Guesthouse, this trail winds above the Dana Village and through the terraced gardens and local craft workshops. Visitors can meet the local residents, see original Ottoman architecture, and learn more about Dana's rich history.
Nawatef Trail
(Year-round), guided only
Grade: Easy to moderate
Distance: 2 km
Time: 2 hours
Starting time: 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. from the Dana Guesthouse
Group size: 4-20 people
Requirements: Transportation from Dana Guesthouse to the starting/ending point in Qadissiya; reasonable level of fitness; no fear of heights
Description: This circular trail begins from the Al-Barrah area and takes you to beautiful mountains, springs and ancient ruins in the Nawatef Area.
From Feynan Ecolodge:
Sunrise hike
(Year-round), guided only
Grade: intermediate to advance (no children permitted for safety)
Distance: 2km
Time: 2 hours
Starting time: check daily schedule on http://www.ecohotels.me/feynan/calendar
Group size: up to 10
Start off a great day in the wilderness with this challenging sunrise hike. Depart from the lodge at dawn with one of our local Bedouin guides to climb into the mountains just as Bedouin shepherds do with their goats each morning. This hike involves negotiating Bedouin shepherd trails atop the ridgelines of steep hills and cliffs that surround the lodge. There are two different trails, the more challenging Abu Khalil route (a local elder) ending by his winter and summer beits (‘homes’ in Arabic) and the Abu Mohammed route (another local elder), ending by his beit. At the summit of both routes you will be able to gaze for kilometres over Bedouin villages, ancient ruins, and the desert of Wadi Araba. The colours over Feynan are fantastic as day breaks and the sun begins to shine over mountains, canyons and the surrounding desert surrounding.
Sunset hike
(Year-round), guided only
Grade: easy, suitable for all ages
Distance: 1.5 km
Time: 2 hours
Starting time: 90 minutes before sunset time. Check schedule on http://www.ecohotels.me/feynan/calendar
Group size: no limit
Every evening, guests are invited to join the lodge’s guides on a 20-minute stroll to the top of a gentle outcrop to watch a sunset like no other. Against the dramatic backdrop of rugged, multi-coloured mountains, the sun descends, spreading vivid ambers, violets and reds across the canvas of the evening sky. Take this rare opportunity to witness the end of the day in the Bedouin camps below; with children wandering home from play, women tending the evening fires and men rounding up their herds in a peaceful dance as the sun falls to the haunting sounds of the call to prayer. Feel the gentle breeze ushering in nightfall as stars dot the sky and guides brew fresh mint tea over the warm fire. The whole activity takes 2 hours, including 40-45 minutes of walking.
Azraq Hiking Trails:
Marsh Trail
(Year-round), guided or self-guided
Grade: Easy
Distance: 1.5 km
Time: 30 minutes
Open times: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (winter); 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (summer)
Description: This easy walking trail gives you an excellent introduction to the Azraq Wetland Reserve. The boardwalk leads you through dry and wet areas to a viewing platform overlooking the artesian pools that once released millions of cubic meters of water into the marshland. After leaving the platform, the trail takes you over an ancient black basalt wall, most likely constructed by an Umayyad Caliph. The trail then leads to a bird hide made of local mud brick where you can observe the migratory birds and perhaps catch a glimpse of the water buffalo. Follow the trail back to the Visitor Center, passing yet another part of the ancient basalt wall.
Ajloun Hiking Trails
Roe Deer Trail
Guided or self-guided
Grade: Easy
Distance: 2 km
Time: Less than 1 hour
Group size: 4-18 people
Description: This short circular trail starts at the campsite and offers great views over the reserve. Not far from the campsite you will find an old stone wine press. Early in the morning, you may be lucky enough to see Roe deer before you return to the visitor center.
Shaumari Hiking
Shaumari Valley Hike
Guided only
Distance: Round trail 3 Km
Duration: 1.5 hours
Level of Difficulty: Easy
Required Gear: comfortable shoes, bottle of water, a hat in the summer
Season: Spring, summer, fall, and late winter
Description:
The circular trail starts off at the Visitor Center then passes by the picnic and children play areas. As you reach the Wadi’s entrance gate, RSCN’s tour guide will take a few minutes to introduce you to the reserve and what to expect along the trail.
As you enter, you will be taken by the beauty of the distinctive desert scenery and biodiversity. Shaumari is home to more than 190 registered species of plants. Hence, the route is filled with flora that makes a tapestry of colors and textures. Perennial or annual, some of these plants are plantago, peganum harmala, artemisia, achillea and tamarix, retama and hordeum, while many are ideal for grazing and/or human consumption like chubaisa mauve, mountain spinach (atriplex hortensi), and ferula.
By the time, you get to the fenced enclosure, the first thing that will grab your attention is how mesmerizing are the long antlers of the White Arabian Oryx! Further down in your trail you will begin to notice small birds chirping. After a brief stop at the Rehabilitation Unit for Confiscating Animals, your journey ends where you’ve started it; at the Visitor Center.
Congratulations, you have successfully completed Wadi Al Shaumari’s round trail, that wasn’t hard, was it?