Sports and leisure activities Ma'in Hot Springs

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.

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.