The Jordan Trail runs about 650 kilometres from the north of Jordan to the Red Sea in the south, crossing deserts, canyons and mountains. Its most famous section is the roughly 80-kilometre stretch from the Dana Biosphere Reserve to Petra — widely described as one of the finest multi-day hikes in the Middle East, and nicknamed by some writers the ‘Inca Trail of the Middle East’. It ends in spectacular fashion: through Little Petra and into Petra itself from the back door, past the Monastery.
This guide covers the Dana-to-Petra section: the route, when to walk, guided versus self-guided options, water and camping logistics, costs and safety.
The route
The classic section runs from the village of Dana, on the edge of the Dana Biosphere Reserve, through the Feynan area and Wadi Araba, up into the Sharah Mountains, past Little Petra, and into Petra through its quieter back entrance near the Monastery (Ad-Deir). It is typically done in 5 to 7 days, with a 5-day trek the most common format.
The walking is desert and mountain mix: dry wadis, open ridges, rocky climbs and some genuinely remote stretches. This is a wilderness route, not a village-to-village trail — you camp in the desert, and the stars over the Sharah Mountains are part of the point.
Best season
Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are the strong consensus windows across travel sources. Summer brings 40°C-plus desert heat that experienced walkers describe as genuinely dangerous; winter brings cold, rain, and a real flash-flood risk in wadis. Some sources extend the walkable window to late February–May and September–early December, but spring and autumn are the reliable core.
Guided or self-guided?
Most sources strongly recommend a local guide, especially for first-timers: route-finding on off-trail sections, knowing water sources, choosing safe campsites and the language barrier are the recurring reasons. Fully supported guided treks — with a Bedouin crew handling camp setup, meals, water and luggage — are the dominant commercial format, and most walkers describe them positively.
The trail was designed to be hikeable independently, and self-guided is possible — but water logistics and navigation knowledge are the main concerns. The Jordan Trail Association offers private guides; one widely-quoted historic rate is around £34 a day, but treat that as dated and confirm current pricing directly. If you go self-guided, go with solid desert navigation skills and a thorough water plan, not optimism.
Water, camping and hazards
This is a desert route: water is the central logistical question. Guided treks handle water, food and camp; on commercial trips the wilderness camps typically come with tents, mattresses and even shower and bathroom tents. If you are self-guided, plan water carries between known sources with care and a real margin.
Hazards to take seriously: flash floods in wadis during the wet season — never camp in a dry riverbed if rain is possible — and the usual desert wildlife, including venomous spiders and scorpions (shake out boots in the morning). Dogs are mentioned as a minor trail hazard in some hiking sources.
Costs and the Jordan Pass
Guided 5-day Dana-to-Petra-style treks are commonly advertised anywhere from roughly $800 to $2,500 USD depending on inclusions and length — a wide spread, so compare what is actually included rather than the headline price. The Jordan Pass (around 75 JOD) bundles the tourist visa with entry to Petra and other sites and is worth pricing into your trip. No widely-agreed typical self-guided budget could be found — if you go independently, price it from your own logistics rather than an internet figure.
Safety
Jordan is widely described as safe for tourists, and most walkers report warm hospitality. The standard caveat across travel sources is to watch the regional political climate and check current official guidance before you go — and to stay clear of areas near the Israeli border, particularly on the final southern sections of the full trail. Check your government’s current travel advice as part of trip planning.
Arjun Mehta is the pen name behind Mountains Bliss — practical mountain-travel guides with routes, costs, seasons and safety notes, researched from real trekker discussions and cross-checked before publishing. No sponsored posts, ever.
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