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Hiking and Adventure Trails in Jordan's Nature Reserves
DANA NATURE RESERVE
Easy
Trails
Village Tour: 2-hour walk
visiting some spectacular viewpoints above
Dana Village, exploring the terraced gardens
and local community craft workshops. (Guided
or unguided, available all year through).
Campsite Trail: 2-hour
circular walk around Rummana campsite area,
a good place to see birds, especially in the
migration seasons. Scenic view points
overlooking Dana Mountains. (Guided or
self-guided, available between the 15th of
March till the 1st of November)
Feynan Copper Mine Tour:
short trail, 3km taking around 2 hours.
Starts from the Lodge and visits ancient
copper mines and the impressive tell of
Khirbet Feynan, with its Byzantine churches
and graves. (Only with RSCN guide, available
between the1st of Sep and the 30th of June)
Easy to
Moderate Trails
Wadi Dana Trail: Long hike,
14Km, taking 5-7hrs. This is a spectacular
downhill walk from Dana to Feynan through
the sandstone gorge of Wadi Dana, possible
to stay overnight in the Feynan Eco-lodge.
Return transport to Dana can be arranged.
(Guided or self guided, available all year
through)
Nawatef Trail: 2 Km
circular trail, taking 2 hours, starting
from al- Barra area to the beautiful springs
and ancient ruins in Nawatef area. (Guided,
available all year through)
The Cave Trail: Short hike,
1.5 km, taking 1.5hrs. It starts from the
campsite, passing the unusual sand stone
formations of shaq al Kalb (Wadi of the
dog), to a group of small caves, thought to
be a religious retreat or hermitage. (Self
guided, available between the 1st of March
and the 31st of October)
Moderate Trails
Rummana Mountain Trail: 2.5
Km circular walk, taking around 2 hrs.
Starts from the campsite and ascends to the
top of Rummana Mountain, where there are
excellent views over Wadi Araba. Highlights
include magnificent rock structures of
sandstone and limestone, birds of prey, and
beautiful views of the nature reserve.
(Guided or self-guided, available between
1st of March and 31st of October)
White dome Trail: 8 Km
trail, taking 3 to 4 hrs. The trail contours
the huge escarpments of Wadi Dana between
Rummana Camp and Dana Village. It offers
breath-taking views of the canyon-like Wadi
and passes through the village terraced
gardens. (Guided, available between 1st of
March and 31st of October)
Moderate to Hard Trails:
Wadi Dathneh Trail: 16 Km,
taking 6 to 8 hrs. Hard hiking, very
suitable for adventure lovers. The route
descends Wadi Dathneh, past an oasis,
through Wadi al hamra to the Feynan area,
(Guided only, available all year through, no
fear of heights)
Feathers Canyon Trail (Shaq Al Reesh): a
circular 3-4 hours hike to a breath taking
Siq from al- Barra to Shaq al Reesh for 3 km
passing rock arena containing Nabatean
tombs. (Guided only, available all year
through, No fear of heights)
Wadi Ghwair Trail: easy
riverbed trail, 8km, taking 3-4hours. It
starts from the Lodge, via Khirbet Feynan,
with its Byzantine archaeology, to Wadi
Feynan. It continues along the gravel river
bed of the Wadi, alongside a flowing stream,
to the entrance to Wadi Ghwair. If time
permits, a small excursion will be made into
the Ghwair canyon. (Only with RSCN guide,
1st Sept to 30th June)
Mountain Bike Trail: one
trail for bikes in three sections; short
(7km-2hrs), medium (15km- 3-4hrs) and long
(30km- 4-6hrs). Starts at the Lodge, taking
the gravel track past Khirbet Feynan, with
its impressive archaeology, to the villages
of Rashadiyya and Greigra. Stops en-route,
with short hikes, to view sites on interest
or have tea with Bedouins. We have 10 bikes
available to hire from Lodge, 8 for adults,
2 for children. (Only with RSCN guide, 1st
Sept to 30th June)
*We also have the sunset tour from the
Rummana Camp to the tower, available upon
request.
MUJIB
NATURE RESERVE
Easy
trails
Siq Trail: guided or
unguided, takes around 2 hrs. This is an
easy hike into the main gorge of the Mujib
River (the Siq). It starts at the visitor
centre near the Mujib Bridge, from where you
take the cantilevered walkway over the dam
and follow the course of the river between
towering sandstone cliffs to the base of a
large waterfall. Depending on seasonal
rainfall levels, the gorge may contain pools
deep enough for swimming. It's an ideal walk
to take slowly and enjoy the cool water and
shade, especially in the heat of the summer.
(1st of april-30th of October)
Moderate trails
The Ibex Trail: guided
only, takes 3 to 4 hrs. The trail begins at
the visitor centre by the Mujib Bridge on
the Dead Sea highway, from where a guide
will escort you south for a short distance
(3 Km) along the highway before turning onto
a steeply ascending trail into the nature
reserve. After the first steep climb, it
diverges to the south, following a wide
track running parallel to the Dead Sea. The
Sea provides a startlingly blue backdrop
throughout the hike. About one third of the
distance along the trail, there is an
optional detour up the mountainside to Qasr
Riyashi, a ruined fortification of uncertain
date. Villagers say that it is one of four
castles in the area, occupied by a powerful
Bedouin sheikh known as Riyashi. Each one of
his sons reputedly occupied a castle, until
a fight erupted over grazing rights and all
of them were killed! The climb to the castle
is arduous but offers very beautiful
breathtaking views over the Dead Sea.
Returning to main track, the hike continues
towards the Raddas Ranger Station, dipping
up and down across a number of dry wadis.
There are an amazing variety of rock colors
and formations along the route and as you
near the ranger station, the famous rock
“statue” of Lot's wife can be seen on the
seaward edge of the reserve. It is said that
while fleeing the villages of Sodom and
Gomorrah, Lot’s wife ignored the warning not
to look back and was turned into a pillar of
salt. It takes 3 hours to get to the rangers
station (4 km). Around the ranger station,
you may be lucky enough to see Nubian Ibex,
the magnificent wild goat with large curved
horns. This animal was once common in the
region but has been decimated by hunting.
Mujib is one of the few safe havens for
Ibex. After a rest at the station, visitors
hike along a road for about one hour to
reach the reserve entrance near the visitor
centre. (open all the year around)
Hard
trails
Malagi Trail: guided only,
6 - 8 hrs, open 1st April until 31st of
October. This is an exciting water trail. It
starts at the visitor centre like the “Ibex
Trail” and follows the same route into the
nature reserve (see description). It leads
quickly to a striking area of creamy-white
hills made of soft rock deposits. .After
passing through these hills, you begin your
descent to the river Mujib; crystal clear,
fast flowing and teeming with life. Small
fish are plentiful, as well as frogs. Bright
kingfishers are often seen speeding along
the river channel, as well as circling birds
of prey. Dense vegetation lines the river
sides, making a stark contrast to the arid,
naked mountains that surround you. The hike
continues upstream along in the river to its
confluence with the Hidan River (Malagi
area). Here you can linger, eat a picnic and
just enjoy this wild paradise. You can also
enjoy swimming in the natural pools. You
then move on through the Mujib gorge to
descend a waterfall, 20 meters in height,
using ropes. From here you continue along
the rest of the river, back to the visitor
centre.
Mujib Canyon Trail: guided
only, 4 hrs, open1st of April until 31st of
October. This trail follows the route of the
Malagi Trail from the visitor centre (see
above) until it reaches the Mujib River.
From here, the route follows the river
downstream from the head of the Mujib gorge.
Shortly after entering the gorge, you will
reach the top of a spectacular waterfall 20
meters in height, which will be negotiated
by ropes under the watchful tuition of
trained guides. After descending the
waterfall, the hike continues along the
gorge, with spectacular rock formations, and
returns you to the visitor centre.
Mujib Trail: guided only, 6
- 7 hrs, open all year through. This is a
tough exciting trail, which begins near the
village of Fag’ua, on the eastern edge of
the nature reserve. Fag’ua is reached from
the famous King’s Highway that leads out of
Amman, through the town of Madaba (famous
for its mosaics). Your guide will meet you
at the RSCN office in Fag'ua, from where you
will be led to the ranger station to start
the hike. The trail descends rapidly into
the Reserve, following a precipitous
descending route with spectacular scenery.
The hike finishes at the Raddas Rangers
Station (dry trail)
Please
note
- Guiding services in Mujib are not provided
in the month of Ramadan
- Guided tours start at 8:00 AM
AZRAQ &
SHAUMARI NATURE RESERVES
Bird
watching – Migratory Birds
With the restoration of the marshland,
several species of birds have returned to
breed in Azraq. About 280 bird species have
been recorded in Azraq, most of which are
migratory. Several birds of prey stop to
drink and hunt at the pools as well,
including the Honey Buzzard and Montague’s
Harrier. From our rustic bird hide, made out
of local mud brick and overlooking a large
stretch of shallow water, you can observe
many migrating birds according to the
season.
Marsh
Trail
Round Trip, Distance 1.5km / Time 30
minutes. Grade easy / guided or self guided
Arabian Night Safari: 2
hours using 4x4 WD exploring the wilderness
of the reserve by spotlighting animals,
enjoying the desert stared sky. (Guided,
maximum 15 pax)
Children activities:
children can experience innovative and
exciting educational programs on wildlife
conservation featuring a variety of hands-on
games, activities and a tour of the breeding
enclosures and observation tower.
AJLOUN
FOREST RESERVE
Easy
Trails
Scenic Viewpoint Trail:
short circular trail taking less than one
hour. Starts at the campsite and offers nice
views over the reserve. Not far from the
campsite you will find an old stone wine
press. Before you return to the visitor
center you may be lucky enough to see the
roe deer early in the morning. (Guided or
un-guided, open from the 1st April until the
31st of October)
Moderate Trails
Rockrose Trail: 8km trail,
taking 3-4 hours, passing across heavily
wooded valleys and ridges, inside and
outside the nature reserve. This highly
scenic trail passes through villages and
olive orchards and offers beautiful
panoramic views to the West Bank and Syria.
There are steep scrambles en-route that
demand a reasonable level of fitness.
(Guided only, open from the 1st April until
the 31st of October).
Village Orchards Tour:
12km, taking 6 hours, from evergreen oak
forest to lush orchards. Stop-over at local
soap workshop, see the village spring and
enjoy a traditional home-made brunch. Return
to the reserve by bus. (Guided only, open
from the 1st of April until the 31st of
October).
Soap Maker's Trail: 7km,
taking 2-4 hours, hiking through open
evergreen oak forest with many panoramic
view points. Visit Soap House to see local
women produce natural olive oil soap. Return
by bus to the reserve. (Self-guided and
guided, open all the year, depending on
weather conditions)
The Prophet's Trail: 8.5km,
taking 4 hours, hiking through stunning
landscapes with donkey support. It ends at
the beautiful church mosaics of Mar Elias
with a locally prepared tea & picnic lunch.
Return to the reserve by bus. (Guided Only)
Please
note
Guided trails start at 8:00 AM except for
the Rockrose Trail and Soap Maker’s Trail
start is at 12:00 AM
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