The Jordan Trail: 5 days hiking Dana to Petra

This epic trek takes you through 75 villages and diverse landscapes surrounded by history. If you’re short on time, head straight to the Dana to Petra section; it’s by far the standout part of the trail. After hiking it myself, I can say without a doubt it’s the best section, and even National Geographic agrees, naming it one of the world’s top 15 hikes. This article has everything you need to know about hiking the Dana to Petra section of the Jordan Trail, based on my March 2025 experience. I’ll cover what gear you need, the best time to go, costs, whether you need a guide, and what each day is really like.

Dana to Petra Hike Highlights

• A tough but unforgettable trek

• Mars-like landscapes in Dana Biosphere

• Dancing with Bedouin locals around the campfire

• Walking in the footsteps of ancient civilisations

 

Statistics: Dana to Petra section on the Jordan Trail

• Distance: 76 km (47 miles)

• Duration: 5 days

• Elevation gain: 2679 m

• Starting point: Dana Village

• Ending point: Petra

 

About The Jordan Trail: What to expect from this article

• National Geographic's top 15 hikes in the world: Dana Biosphere Reserve to Petra 

• Solo or Guided? 

• What is the best time to hike the Jordan Trail?

• Costs of hiking the Jordan Trail

• How fit do I need to be?

 

What the Hike Is Really Like

• The Bedouin team

• Terrain

• Navigation

• Where You Sleep Each Night

• Food, Water, Toilets?

• What to Pack for the Jordan Trail: Dana to Petra: A 5-Day Hiking Itinerary

• Where to go next?

About The Jordan Trail

Launched in 2017, the Jordan Trail was created by local hikers and the team behind Experience Jordan. The trail supports rural communities by bringing in tourism, with homestays and Bedouin camps along the route. But this is more than just a modern hiking trail. It's a journey along paths used by Bedouin, shepherds and local communities for centuries ending in one of the wonders of the world, Petra.

Dana to Petra: A Journey Through Time

The Dana to Petra section of the Jordan Trail is where adventure and history collide. Starting in the mountain village of Dana, the trail winds through dramatic canyons, arid deserts, and peaceful Bedouin camps before arriving in Petra through the lesser-known 'back door.' There is something powerful about reaching Petra on foot, away from the crowds, with nothing but silence and sandstone guiding the way. This hike is more than just a physical challenge, it’s a deep dive into history.

Solo Hiking vs Guided Tour

While I hiked solo in the northern parts of the Jordan Trail, I opted for a guided tour from Experience Jordan for the Dana to Petra section, and I’m so glad I did.

Did I miss solo hiking in the southern section? Well, hiking with a group up a steep hill feels completely different than trekking alone with a heavy pack. While I enjoyed the solitude in the northern sections, the remote Dana to Petra stretch felt much safer and more enjoyable with a guide. There are countless trail options, GPS issues near the Israeli border due to signal blocking, and I would have had to organise water drops… which after hiking it I don’t know how I would have found them as terrain blends together.

Having a guide to handle logistics meant I could just focus on the journey and soak in the surroundings. Learning about the history, landscape, and plants from someone who knows the land added so much richness to the experience. For this section, a guided tour made all the difference.

BEST TIME TO HIKE THE JORDAN TRAIL

The best time to hike the Jordan Trail is from mid-March to April or from September to November, with the sweet spot being late March to early May. During this time, the weather is perfect, averaging 26°C during the day and 11°C at night.

I hiked the trail from March 9 to 13, 2025. The nights were chilly, but the days were ideal for trekking. Imagine clear skies, a light breeze and no intense sun. Our Bedouin guide always had a fire ready at camp and extra blankets to keep us warm, making the cooler nights at camp feel cozy.

COSTS OF HIKING THE JORDAN TRAIL

Costs can vary depending on whether you're hiking solo or with a group. For me, the convenience and stress-free experience of joining an organised tour was absolutely worth the extra cost, especially when considering the cost of water and food drops. There are no permits required for hiking the Jordan Trail, but you’ll need a ticket to enter Petra.

I recommend getting the Jordan Pass online, which not only covers entry to Petra but also waives your visa fee when you arrive at the airport.
Below are the costs I experienced hiking the Dana to Petra section with Experience Jordan Adventures:

5-day fully catered tour with an experienced local guide: $995–$1,045 USD

Jordan Pass: Jordan Wanderer (70 Jordanian Dinars, approx. $99 USD)

Tips for the Bedouin staff and local operators $100USD (70JOD).

HOW FIT DO YOU NEED TO BE TO HIKE THE DANA TO PETRA SECTION?

Skill Level - Intermediate (with tour support) / Advanced (without tour support)

This hike is no easy feat but doable. The oldest in our group was in their 70s. The trail is rugged with rocky ridges.

You’ll need to be comfortable hiking 15-20km a day for 5 days on uneven ground, often in the sun, with your own daypack. Luckily, with Experience Jordan, we had Atallah, the local Bedouin guide, and his donkey Daraad, who carried extra water and tea for the group. By day 4, I was grateful to let Daraad carry my daypack due to shoulder pain.

If you’re going solo, you’ll need solid outdoor experience since there’s no reception, no water sources and no trail markings. 

WHAT THE HIKE WAS REALLY LIKE

Hiking in Jordan was more than just stunning views, it was an opportunity to connect with the land and its people. 

The Bedouin Team:
Hiking with local Bedouin support really made the trip for me. Connecting with locals is my favourite part about travelling, and dancing around the fire with them is a memory I will never forget.

Terrain:
The Dana to Petra section is rugged and diverse, with rocky hills, desert valleys, dusty trails, steep climbs, and sweeping landscapes. By the time you reach Petra, you’ve crossed canyons, mountain passes, and striking sandstone.

Navigation:
The trail doesn’t have signs, but GPX files from the Jordan Trail Association can guide you. Just be aware of GPS signal issues/blocks, especially near the Israeli border, making a guide extremely useful.

 

Where You Sleep:
On this section of the trail the only options are wild camps. With Experience Jordan the camping was simple yet very comfortable. We spent four nights wild camping and one in a permanent Bedouin camp in Little Petra. Each night had its own magic, from sunsets behind cliffs to glowing mountains. The final night in a Bedouin camp was a cozy treat, complete with hot showers and real beds. The tents, mattress and blankets were all transported for us by the Bedouin team and set up for us before we arrived.

If you are solo hiking, there are designated wild camping areas and they can be booked through the Jordan Trail Association. 

Food, Water, and Toilets:
The food was better than expected. Emaan’s fresh cooking was a highlight, and as a vegetarian, I felt fully catered for. We had plenty of clean water, a compost toilet, and a pump shower. I have never been so comfortable camping! 

If you are attempting this solo, you will need to organise food and water drops with a local in the area. You will have to carry out all your rubbish and toilet paper. 

WHAT TO PACK FOR THE JORDAN TRAIL

What you pack depends a lot on whether you're hiking solo or going with Experience Jordan. With them, your main bag is taken ahead to each camp by the Bedouin support crew. Your tent, pillow, and blanket are all set up by the time you arrive, and dinner is already cooking on the fire.

That means you really only need your hiking clothes and a solid daypack. Still, here’s a list of little things that are easy to forget but can make a big difference:

• Hiking poles - I love my Black Diamond stainless steel hiking poles, incredibly sturdy for the down hill rocky sections.

• Two-litre water bladder or two one-litre bottles - I use the Nalgene 1L bottle but I have a 2L Osprey bladder that fits in my day pack as back up.

• Comfortable daypack with a hipbelt - Can’t go past the Osprey Tempest Pro 30L! I love the new design which makes the pack slimmer but still with all the handy pockets.

• Wide brimmed hat - My go to is the Cotopaxi because I love colour!

• Hiking boots you’ve already worn in - I am a barefooter, my go to boots are my Vivobarefoot Trackers.

• Power Banks (there’s no electricity out in the desert) - The Goal Zero powerbank packs great power and can charge my phone at least 3 times (remember to keep power banks in your sleeping bag if it’s really cold out!)

• Long sleeve shirts for sun and wind - I love my Patagonia sun hoody, which is perfect for desert hiking.

• Thermals for cold nights - Patagonia has an amazing mid weight top and bottom set. They also don’t look like thermals so you can wear it as a top or tights without looking strange (double use win!)

• A warm jacket for after sunset - Currently in love with the Arcteryx Atom Hoody, it’s perfect for hiking or sitting around the fire at night.

• Snacks! My go to is Clif Bar’s because they are high in protein and delicious.

• Jordanian Dinar cash

• Passport

• Jordan Pass printed out for easy scanning.

Dana to Petra: detailed 5-day hiking itinerary

Day 1: Dana to Mansoura (15km; 260m up, 690m down)

Day 2: Mansoura to Furon (16km; 560m up, 170m down)

Day 3: Furon to Ghbour Whedat (17km; 750m up, 920m down)

Day 4: Ghbour Whedat to Little Petra (14km; 610m up, 560m down)

Day 5: Little Petra to Petra (20km; 500m up, 520m down)

Day 1 – Dana to Mansoura

Distance: 15km

Time: 5-7 hrs

Total elevation gain: 260m

Total elevation loss: 690m

On day one, we hiked through the incredible Dana Biosphere Reserve, which is actually one of the most biodiverse areas in all of Jordan. The trail started along the ridgeline with wide open views over Dana Valley before winding down into the rocky, rugged Khashasha Valley. We passed through everything from dry cliffs to green patches of acacia trees, and even spotted an animal which we thought was a fox along the way. The wild camp was perfect, on the edge of the valley, surrounded by silence and stars in Mansoura.

Day 2 – Mansoura to Furon

Distance: 16km

Time: 5-7 hrs

Total elevation gain: 560m

Total elevation loss: 170m

Day 2 was a shift in terrain. We left camp early, climbing for about an hour before the landscape opened up to reveal the Sharah Mountains and the Wadi Araba Desert below. The views were unreal, wide and wild, with a silence that made you stop and take it all in. I couldn’t resist trailing behind the group, snapping photos of it all.

By mid-afternoon, we reached our campsite at Al Furon, with amazing views over the desert. We arrived around 3 p.m., settled in, and enjoyed tea while watching the sky turn golden as the sun set over the Wadi Araba. A perfect end to a rewarding day.

Day 3 – Furon to Ghbour Whedat

Distance: 17.1km

Time: 6-8 hrs

Total elevation gain: 560m

Total elevation loss: 170m

Day 3 was one of the toughest but most rewarding. We hiked the Bedouin shepherd paths through the Sharah Mountains, surrounded by towering peaks and deep canyons. The silence was incredible, and the desert stretched out before us. We spotted ancient petroglyphs along the way. By afternoon, we reached our campsite at Ghbour Whedat, nestled among sandstone cliffs, where we relaxed with tea and watched the sunset over the desert.

Day 4 – Ghbour Whedat to Little Petra

Distance: 14km

Time: 5-7 hrs

Total elevation gain: 560m

Total elevation loss: 170m

Day 4 took us from a remote desert into signs of life. We passed Bedouin camps, sheep pens, and small farms. We also saw Nabataean ruins like olive presses and ancient aqueducts before climbing through a sandstone canyon and down into Little Petra. The site, once a stop for Silk Road traders, was a fascinating place to explore. Afterward, we walked on to our camp for the night where hot showers and real beds were waiting.

Day 5 – Little Petra to Petra

Distance: 14km of hiking + 5-6 km walking around Petra sightseeing

Time: 5-7 hrs

Total elevation gain: 560m

Total elevation loss: 170m

On the final day, we entered Petra via the ‘back door,’ bypassing the crowds. The trail took us through Wadi Ghurab, past sandstone peaks, and up to a hidden plateau where the Monastery appeared. After a break at the Bedouin café, we descended to Petra’s main site, passing tombs and temples before reaching the famous Treasury. We ended the journey through the narrow Siq, exiting the site in awe.

And that’s it, the best 5 days you can spend hiking in Jordan, well, at least in my opinion.

WHERE TO GO NEXT?

Well, the Jordan Trail doesn’t stop at Petra, it stretches further into Wadi Rum. I didn’t hike it, but I continued with Experience Jordan on the 9 day adventure trip for a jeep tour through the desert. We spent the night at another Bedouin camp, where we had a traditional BBQ cooked in the sand. The Wadi Rum sunset was unlike anything I’ve ever witnessed, the rich red hues made it feel like we were on another planet. To cap off the adventure, we floated in the Dead Sea, relaxing our muscles with a mineral-packed mud treatment. It was the perfect way to end an unforgettable three weeks in Jordan.

WOULD I DO IT ALL OVER AGAIN? Absolutely, yes!

Planning to hike the Jordan Trail? Drop your questions in the comments. I’m happy to help!

Or follow me on Instagram to see my daily reels from hiking the trail @heykiera_