JORDAN TRAIL : D'AJLOUN A 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.