BACK DOOR TRAIL

This hike from Al-Beidha offers splendid views of the Petra mountains and Wadi Araba, and leads to the monastery (Ed-Deir) of the ancient city. It has recently been signposted and is easier to follow than before. From Al-Beidha to the Visitor Center in Wadi Musa, it takes 13 km and half a day's walk, excluding sightseeing. You can buy your entrance ticket at the ticket office next to the Little Petra parking lot. This is also where you buy your ticket for the shuttle bus. The shuttle leaves you at the foot of the mountain, leaving you only 45 minutes to climb. The hike is not very difficult, as the difference in altitude is fairly slight. It does, however, include some vertiginous cliffside sections.

From the Little Petra parking lot, take the path to the Neolithic village. Descend into the Wadi Siq al-Ghurab and continue south-west for around 1.2 km. When there's only one more mountain in sight, turn left and go around the hill to the right, climbing onto the plateau. Continue in a south-easterly direction. Once you've passed the three boulders, turn right immediately southwards and continue for 450 metres to the end of the small, steeply-sided wadi. Then head south-west, where you'll soon see a sign for the path that climbs steadily up the mountain and onto cliff-side escarpments, some with staircases.