Hiking The Jordan Trail: Dana to Little Petra

The Jordan Trail is a multi-day hike spanning the entire length of Jordan. The trail begins in the northern area of Un Qais and ends in the south near the Red Sea. This 40 day trek through deserts, mountains, canyons and valleys is regarded as one of the best long distance hikes in the world.

Of the 675km of trails, the most popular can be divided into 3-5 days, starting at the Dana Reserve and ending at Little Petra. This complete hiking guide will cover the logistics and trail along the three day journey.

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Best Time to Hike the Jordan Trail

It is possible to complete the Jordan Trail year round. That being said, the summer months can reach up to temperatures of 40 degrees Celsius and most of the trail provides little to no shade from the harsh elements.

I visited in mid- September and found the temperatures were mostly tolerable except for my second day of hiking.

The very best time of year to hike around Jordan is in the early spring (March-May) or late autumn (October-November) when the temperatures are less intense and the nighttime temperatures are mild. Day time temperatures can be a comfortable 15-20 degrees Celsius, which is perfect for hiking.

Practical Information

Where: Dana Biosphere Reserve to Little Petra
When to Visit: March-May or October-November
How Many Days: 3 days
Type of Hike: Point to point, going north to south
Washroom Facilities on Route: None
Accommodations: Wild camping. There is a lodge available on the first day nearby
Fitness Level: Moderate/Hard (Weather dependent)
Permits: None required
Trail Markers: None

Independent Hiking or Guided Tour

Hiking the Jordan Trail can be completed both independently or arranged with a tour company. This three day trek is incredibly isolated, has a high degree of elevation gain, extreme temperatures, unmarked trails, and little to no services along the way. Proper and thorough planning is essential for a successful hike and your safety.

I chose to take a guided solo tour with Jordan Beauty. This local Bedouin company assisted me with the logistics for the duration of the trek. Transportation to and from the trailhead was provided, as well as meals/water along the way and a wonderful guide. The jeep would meet my guide and I every night at the campsite, with a hot meal and our extra luggage.

Essential Hiking Gear

The trail conditions throughout this trek are tough. The rocky terrain and relentless sun make for a sometimes uncomfortable experience. Having the proper gear is essential in not only your comfort, but your safety as well.

• Ankle supported hiking shoes/boots. I wore my regular hiking shoes and found they did not provide enough support on the rocky terrain, causing my toe nails to bruise.
• At least 3L of water per day (during the warmer days)
• Sunscreen and hat
• Hiking poles or stick- helps with higher elevation days and descents on dry gravel
• Lots of food with moisture
• GPS or map
• Extra layers at night for camping
• First aid kit
• Power bank for electronics
• Positive attitude

Trailhead Information

The trailhead for this trek begins in the Dana Biosphere Reserve. The 350km² reserve is home to many climatic zones, including Mediterranean and Sahara. Various animals including the Syrian wolf and sand cat can be found in the protected area.

The reserve is located 2.5 hours south from the capital city of Amman. Public transit does not frequent the area, so hiring a driver, taxi or joining an organized tour is the best way to get there.

Accommodations in The Village of Dana and on Route

If you don’t plan on making the 2.5 hour drive from Amman on the first day (or want a shorter trek), staying overnight in Dana Village is a possible option. This village sits on top pf the mountain, overlooking the reserve.

Eco lodges in Dana Village

Dana Village Camp- Wadi Dana Eco Camp

Al Nawatef Camp ECO camp Dana Nature Reserve

Throughout the trek there is only one full service lodge available: The Feynan Lodge. This eco lodge is tucked on the outskirts of the Dana Biosphere Reserve, approximately a 16km walk from the Dana Village.

Wild camping is the best option (and sometimes only option) for this three day trek. Camping is not permitted in the reserve but is allowed everywhere else. Most camp sites are located close to service roads for easy access.

Disclosure: Trail maps are used as estimates. Guides often like to venture slightly off path to get a more authentic experience or take short cuts, depending on the fitness level of the person.

Stage One

• Route: Hiking through the Dana Biosphere Reserve
• Trail Map
• Distance: 18km
• Difficulty: Easy

The start of the hike begins at the Dana Village. As you descend the gravel path, passing between the canyon in the valley, views of the desert in the horizon comes into view.

There are plenty of areas to stop off and enjoy some lunch, tea or shade. This stage of the hike is pretty straightforward and easy. While the path is narrow, the route is clearly defined, despite having no trail markers. Being deep in the valley, the temperatures are more tolerable.

Don’t be surprised to find goats roaming freely around the area. They followed my guide and I for an hour, seeking shade amongst the trees and eating berries on the ground.

After 16km, the trail will pass by the Feynan Ecolodge. As mentioned before, most travellers decide to end their hike and take shelter here. My guide and I continued along the path and headed another 3km towards our camp site. The route took us past a local school and ancient roman ruins.

Stage Two

• Route: Wadi Dana to Ras Al Freid
• Trail Map 1 /Trail Map 2
• Distance: 25km
• Difficulty: Hard

Leaving the camp, the path will lead deep into the hot, rocky desert. By far I found this to be the most challenging day. With the exception of two individual trees, there was no protection from the sun.

Some tour groups split this stage into 2 days, as the heat and elevation can be extreme. I was short on time and opted to hike the whole thing in one day.

Heading south into the desert along the 4X4 road, the path will walk alongside Wadi Abu Hamdtha and Wadi Al-Jilf. Before long, the path will turn left and start climbing up the impressive mountains to the east.

This road weaves up and around the mountains, climbing endlessly higher and higher. The views are spectacular but it’s quite the challenge, especially in the heat.

Stage Three

• Route: Ras Al Freid to Little Petra
• Trail Map
• Distance: 18km
• Difficulty: Moderate

Leaving the campsite, leave the impressive mountains for more plateaus and rocky terrain. The trail will journey through barren landscapes (with plenty of shade coverage) before climbing up a small ridge with amazing views.

This portion of the trail passes by more Bedouin camps and farms and has a more arid climate. My guide deviated off path and few times, leading me into dried river beds and canyons.

More ancient ruins can be seen as the path continues along towards Little Petra. After weaving along narrow cliff paths, the trail widens and the scenery changes once again. Bigger sandstone boulders scatter across the lands, with the red undertones commonly found in Jordan.

My guide and I continued along the path until we reached the outskirts of Little Petra, where our jeep was waiting for us and the end of the hike.

Little Petra is significantly smaller than Petra and far less congested. The atmosphere was more peaceful and the sites were beautiful to see.

Where to Stay Near Petra

The hike ends in the small town of Wadi Musa. This is where the famous city of Petra is located and the gateway for other excursions like Wadi Rum.

If you want to continue your stay in Wadi Musa, there are several accommodations that to choose from:

Petra Moon Luxury Hotel

Petra Sky Hotel

Petra Guest House Hotel

Further Exploring in Jordan

If you have extra time, don’t forget to check out some of the other beautiful places around Jordan

Petra

With plenty of hiking opportunities, this UNESCO World Heritage site is by far the most popular area in Jordan. Read about hiking to the monastery.

Wadi Rum

The red sands of Wadi Rum have made themselves known all around the world. With endless trails to choose from, one could literally get lost. Opt for a jeep tour or stay at a local Bedouin Camp.

The Dead Sea

Float in the saltiest body of water! It’s a unique experience that should be on everyone’s bucket list.