Sports and leisure activities Jordan

Count 1,6 kilometer and 45 minutes to 2 hours of ascent, with the visits. Difficult. The path to the Monastery starts from The Basin restaurant. If the climb is not technically difficult, it is tiring. There are 850 steps to climb. This is the same path that the Nabateans used 2,000 years ago. Take regular breaks to enjoy the views of the Al-Khubtha jebel and the Petra cirque. There are a few tombs along the way that are worth a look, including the Triclinium of the Lions.

Count 6 km and 4 hours of hiking. Medium difficulty.

This long hike takes a full day round trip. It starts from Qasr al-Bint, runs along Jebel al-Habis and into Wadi Sabra, until it reaches an oasis. It is of moderate difficulty, with little difference in altitude, but the last part is tiring, as the path follows the sand bed. Just before reaching the narrow valley, you will pass the ruins of a theatre, an acropolis and Roman baths which have not yet been excavated. They are slightly higher up on the left.

Petra Boutique Hotel organizes cooking classes in a large dedicated kitchen on the ground floor. The chef prepares a menu every evening and you will learn how to cook. The ingredients are ready, all you have to do is put on an apron and get to work following the instructions. You follow the steps step by step and the chef gives you a recipe booklet at the end of the session. The course ends with you tasting the dishes (of which there are many!) that you have cooked. The atmosphere is very friendly and you have a good time.

The Jordan Trail is a hiking trail that runs from north to south in Jordan, from Umm-Qais to Aqaba. The 672 kilometer trail is divided into 9 sections. It follows roads, marked paths, old caravan routes or Bedouin paths used for transhumance. The Jordan Trail is not marked and the presence of a guide is essential, especially for the desert sections. Appropriate equipment and a good physical condition are necessary.

The Jordan Trail starts at Kerak Castle and runs through the lands once occupied by the Crusaders, who left many remains of castles and fortifications. The trail covers 83.2 km, divided into 4 stages, between valleys and hills, cultivated plains and limestone plateaus. The arrival is in Dana, a village perched on the edge of the most beautiful nature reserve in the country. Overnight stay in camps.

Day 1: Kerak to Tor al-Taboun. 27,1 km. Easy. Allow 8 hours of walking. The hike includes two short climbs at km 4 and 20. The rest is flat or downhill. The country trails pass through pleasant landscapes framed by limestone cliffs and the abandoned village of Ainun. Remember to turn around at the start of the walk to get some nice pictures of the castle. Overnight in a wilderness campground.

Day 2. From Tor al-Taraboun to Karaka. 21 km. Medium difficulty. Count 6 to 7 hours of walking. A path goes down to the bottom of the canyon of Wadi Hasa. You cross the stream, the palm grove and gardens and take a break at the hot springs of Burbeita. Then follows a long climb of 10 km to reach the jebel al-Gazaleh. You will go down the southern slope to the village of Karaka. Overnight in a wilderness campsite.

Day 3. From Karaka to Ma'tan. 20,9 km. Medium difficulty. Count on 8 hours of walking. You walk through the countryside on flat ground until you reach the small town of Ais. Then the path climbs up the hillside through olive groves to reach the plateau of Ain al-Beida. A short, steep descent leads you to the village of Ma'tan, perched on a cliff.

Day 4. From Ma'tan to Dana. 15,5 km. Difficult. Count on 5 hours of walking. A very steep descent leads you into the Ma'tan canyon. From there, the day is spent in uninterrupted ascent through roads and tracks for 4x4 and small trails difficult to find. You reach the Dana plateau and admire the canyon plunging down to the Wadi Araba.

The Jordan Trail is a hiking trail that runs from north to south in Jordan, from Umm-Qais to Aqaba. The 672 kilometer trail is divided into 9 sections. It follows roads, marked paths, old caravan routes or Bedouin paths used for transhumance. The Jordan Trail is not marked and the presence of a guide is essential, especially for the desert sections. Appropriate equipment and good physical condition are required.

The Jordan Trail starts from Wadi Zarqa. You can be dropped off by a pick-up truck 1 km from the starting point. The 75 km hike will lead you to the splendid Kerak Castle, located on the Kings' Road. It crosses three canyons, including the splendid Wadi Mujib. Some portions are particularly difficult. Nights in camp.

Day 1: Wadi Zarqa to Wadi Hidan. 17,2 km. Difficult. Count on 6 hours of walking. The first half of the route follows the ridge lines uphill. You will enjoy some beautiful views of the Dead Sea and Palestine. You follow the road from Mukawir to Madaba for a few hundred meters, before descending to Wadi Hidan, an impressive gorge.

Day 2. From Wadi Hidan to Wadi Mujib. 14,9 km. Difficult. Count 7 hours of walking. This day is the most difficult. You climb for the first 6 km to reach a plateau that you cross following the ridge. You reach a lookout tower of the RSCN and embrace both the Hidan and Mujib canyons. You continue along the ridge line, heading northeast, and then take a shepherd's path down into Wadi Mujib. Be careful, some parts are extremely steep.

Day 3. From Wadi Mujib to Majdalein. 20.1 km. Difficult. Count 7 hours of walking. The climb up the other side of Wadi Mujib is long and difficult, with some very steep sections. From the top of the canyon and the plateau of Faq'a, the view is again impressive. You cross the plateau to the south, following parts of the old Roman road to Majdelein, on the edge of Wadi ibn Hammad.

Day 4. From Majdalein to Kerak. 22.8 km. Medium difficulty. Allow 8 hours of walking. The first 15 kilometers consist in crossing a plateau, on a false flat. Once in Rakin, the path descends steeply to reach Wadi Tawaheen with beautiful views of Kerak castle.

The Jordan Trail is a hiking trail that runs from north to south in Jordan, from Umm-Qais to Aqaba. The 672 kilometer trail is divided into 9 sections. It follows roads, marked paths, old caravan routes or Bedouin paths used for transhumance. The Jordan Trail is not marked and the presence of a guide is essential, especially for the desert sections. Appropriate equipment and a good physical condition are necessary.

The Jordan Trail, which leads from Dana Nature Reserve to the ancient Nabatean capital of Petra, is regularly included in the Top 10 most beautiful hikes in the world. Its 84.5 km cross splendid canyons, rub shoulders with majestic mountains and end up in the mysterious Petra, well hidden between the pink sandstone cliffs. Nights in bivouac or camp.

Day 1: From Dana to Wadi Malaga. 23,5 km. Medium difficulty. Count 6 to 8 hours of walking. On the way down to the Dana Valley, you will visit the oldest copper mines in the world. The Feynan Ecolodge is the last point where you can get drinking water. Remember to pay for your entrance to the Reserve before starting the day.

Day 2. Wadi Malaga to Ras al-Feid. 13.7 km. Difficult. Allow 5 to 7 hours of walking. You will walk along ancient donkey and camel trails and the old road from Bir al-Saba to Shobak used by pilgrims during the Crusades. The day ends at the edge of Wadi Feid, the last watering place before Little Petra.

Day 3. Ras al-Feid to Little Petra. 22.8 km. Difficult. Count 6 to 8 hours of walking. The progression on a stony and sandy ground is difficult, but you are rewarded with beautiful landscapes and a 360° view from Mount Safaha. Upon arrival in Beidha, you cross the narrow canyon of Little Petra with its Nabatean remains and can also visit the 10,000 year old Neolithic village of Beidha.

Day 4. Little Petra to Petra. 12.6 km. Medium difficulty. Count on 3 to 4 hours of walking. You will have taken care the evening before to go to the Petra Visitors' Center to get a ticket. You enter the ancient Nabatean capital through the Monastery, then descend into Wadi Musa to walk up the Main Trail and the Siq. The day may take longer if you wish to visit the Royal Tombs.

You can just relax in the hot springs, but it is also possible to explore the area on foot along hiking trails. The most spectacular (but not very easy) of these is to the Herod springs, below, on the shores of the Dead Sea, following the course of the Wadi Zarqaa for 8 kilometers and crossing some very impressive narrow gorges. It is highly recommended to take a guide for this trip. You can get more information at the Maeen Hot Springs Hotel or arrange your hike from Madaba.

The Jordan Trail is a hiking trail that runs from north to south in Jordan, from Umm-Qais to Aqaba. The 672 kilometer trail is divided into 9 sections. It follows roads, marked paths, old caravan routes or Bedouin paths used for transhumance. The Jordan Trail is not marked and the presence of a guide is essential, especially for the desert sections. Appropriate equipment and a good physical condition are necessary.

The Jordan Trail starts in the center of As-Salt and leads to the Dead Sea and the Wadi Zarqa Valley. The 94.4 kilometer hike is divided into 4 stages. From the Ottoman city, listed as a World Heritage Site, the route follows the green valley of Iraq al-Amir and then descends into the Jordan Valley. You will leave behind the fertile lands to reach the arid and stony mountains that border the Dead Sea. Overnight stays with local people or camping in the wilderness.

Day 1: As-Salt to Iraq al-Amir. 22.3 km. Difficult. Allow 7 hours of walking. From the center of the city, you follow the direction of the south and the valley. You follow country roads along agricultural properties and the rolling topography that characterizes this area. Upon reaching Iraq al-Amir, be sure to visit the 2nd century Ptolemaic castle.

Day 2. Iraq al-Amir to Husban. 19.5 km. Easy. Allow 5 to 6 hours of walking. As you leave the Wadi Al-Kafrein valley, you get beautiful views of the Jordan Valley and Palestine on your right. You cross the highway that leads from Amman to the Dead Sea and continue to the Husban camp.

Day 3. Husban to Oyoon al-Theeb. 19.8 km. Difficult. Allow 7 to 8 hours of walking. You take dirt roads to walk in the footsteps of Moses. The first part to the springs of Moses is easy, then you start the climb to Mount Nebo. You pass a group of ruined Byzantine churches. From km 10 on, the climb becomes difficult. You are rewarded with beautiful views of the Dead Sea.

Day 4. From Oyoon al-Thee to Wadi Zarqa Ma'in. 21.1 km. Difficult. Allow 7 hours of walking. You cross the Dead Sea plateau over rough terrain for two thirds of the way, then begin a strenuous climb to the road to Ma'in, before descending along the ancient Roman road into the canyon of Wadi Zarqa Ma'in.

The Jordan Trail is a hiking trail that runs from north to south in Jordan, from Umm-Qais to Aqaba. The 672 kilometer trail is divided into 9 sections. It follows roads, marked paths, old caravan routes or Bedouin paths used for transhumance. The Jordan Trail is not marked and the presence of a guide is essential, especially for the desert sections. Appropriate equipment and a good physical condition are necessary.

The Jordan Trail starts in Umm-Qais, the ancient Roman city of Gadara, located at the crossroads of Syria and Israel. This 80 kilometer hike, divided into four stages, takes you through some of the greenest rural areas of the country. You will walk through olive groves and centuries-old oak forests, pass through ancient ruins, dip in hot springs and finish at the splendid Ajloun castle. Overnight stays are with local people or in hotels.

Day 1: Umm-Qais to Ziglab. 25.5 kilometers. Difficult. Allow 8 hours of walking. From the ancient ruins of Gadara you descend to the Wadi Arab dam and then climb for 6 kilometers to the fertile plateau of Zabda. You spend the night at the Jordan Ecopark, at the foot of the Sharhabeel reservoir.

Day 2. Ziglab to Beit Idis. 22.4 kilometers. Difficult. Allow 8 hours of walking. The route follows the Jordan Valley for a few kilometers before climbing into the green hills. On the way you pass a hot spring, the Greco-Roman ruins of Pella, a pine forest and overlook the beautiful valley of Wadi al-Jirim.

Day 3. From Beit Idis to Rasoun. 15.6 kilometers. Medium difficulty. Count on 4 to 6 hours of walking. You take the road to the east in the direction of Wadi Zubia which crosses a thick forest and see the Roman ruins of Qabla. A long and gentle climb through the forest will lead you to the heights of Rasoun.

Day 4. From Rasoun to Ajloun. 16,9 kilometers. Medium difficulty. Count between 4 and 5 hours of walking. From Rasoun, you cross the beautiful forest of Ajloun passing by the Byzantine church of Tell Mar Elias. The only difficulty of the day is a steep climb of 10% for 2 km. The hike ends at Ajloun castle, which you can visit. The accommodation was not great in Ajloun, so we recommend that you go directly to Irbid or Amman, unless you continue the hike (see Jordan Trail from Ajloun to As-Salt).

The Jordan Trail is a hiking trail that runs north to south in Jordan, from Umm-Qais to Aqaba. The 672-kilometer route is divided into nine sections. It follows roads, marked paths, old caravan routes or Bedouin paths used for transhumance. The Jordan Trail is not marked and the presence of a guide is essential, especially for the desert sections. Appropriate equipment and a good physical condition are necessary.

The Jordan Trail starts at Ajloun Castle, an Ayyubid fortress dating from the 12th century, which you will have taken the time to visit. This 62.4 kilometer hike, divided into four stages, reveals a part of Jordan unknown to tourists, between forests, fields and reservoirs. You will cross villages topped with minarets and bell towers, where Muslim and Christian communities live together in harmony. The hike ends in As-Salt, a city with preserved Ottoman architecture and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since July 2021. Overnight stay in local homes or camping.

Day 1: Ajloun to Khirbet al-Souq. 16,2 km. Medium difficulty. Count 5 to 6 hours of walking. The day starts with a rather steep descent to the valley. You climb on the opposite side for 5 kilometers and follow country roads through abandoned villages and olive groves.

Day 2. Khirbet al-Souq to King Talal Dam. 16.2 km. Medium difficulty. Count on 5 to 6 hours of walking. The day starts with a 2 km climb in the Dibbin Forest Reserve to reach a magnificent viewpoint over the small village of Burma and the King Talal Dam. The rest of the hike is downhill on trails and small country roads.

Day 3. King Talal Dam to Rmeimeen. 16.2 km. Medium difficulty. Count 5 to 6 hours of walking. You leave the dam behind and climb to the top of a mountain with beautiful views of the surroundings. You walk along its ridge line before descending to the village of Rmeimeen, with its churches and mosques. On the way, you pass a waterfall and natural pools where you can refresh yourself.

Day 4. From Rmeimeen to As-Salt. 14,6 km. Difficult. Count 6 hours of walking. With the exception of the last kilometer, the day will be a constant climb, on small charming country roads.

If your hotel doesn't have a swimming pool and it's a hot summer's day in Amman, you can cool off in the Royal's pool. All the capital's major hotels offer a day pass to take advantage of their facilities. What do we like about the Royal? Its central location, 3 pools (one indoor) and access to the outdoor bar, where you can enjoy a drink or a sandwich. We also like the fact that the price is the same whatever the day of the week.