JORDAN TRAIL : DE UMM-QAIS A AJLOUN

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).