Hiking Trails
| Overview | |||
| The Royal Society for The Conservation of Nature is an independent voluntary organization devoted to the conservation of Jordan's natural resources. Under the patronage of Her Majesty Queen Noor, RSCN was established in 1966 with His Majesty the late King Hussein as Honorary President. RSCN has the mission of protecting and managing the natural resources of Jordan, for it is responsible for protecting wildlife and wild places. Thus, it is one of the few voluntary organizations in the Middle East with such a public service mandate. | |||
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| As a result of its pioneering conservation work, the RSCN has achieved international recognition and acclaim. Managing the nature resources of Jordan is done by setting up protected areas to safeguard the best wildlife and scenic areas as well as breeding endangered species to save them from extinction. In addition to enforcing governmental laws to protect wildlife, control illegal hunting and raise awareness in environmental issues through educational programs. Ultimately promoting the sustainable use of natural resources. | |||
| In its short but rich history, RSCN has established many achievements. The foremost of which is establishing seven protected areas covering over 1200 square kilometers. These areas comprise of wild plants, animals and other natural resources, while including some of the finest natural landscapes in the country. | |||
| The Successful captive breeding of the magnificent endangered Arabian Oryx, gazelle and ibex and their re-introduction into the wilderness is considered a pioneering step of conservational activity in the region. Hence, controlling illegal hunting throughout the Kingdom to preserve these wondrous creatures. | |||
| Setting up over 1000 Nature Conservation Clubs in schools raises children's awareness regarding environmental issues by making them practically involved in conservation activities and projects. | |||
| The development of large-scale conservation programs designed to integrate environmental protection with the socio-economic development of local people is another task for RSCN's team. | |||
| For more information about RSCN please visit web site www.rscn.org.jo | |||
| DANA NATURE RESERVE TRAILS | |||
| Easy Trails | |||
| Traditional Tribal Arts Tour | one hour visiting some spectacular viewpoints above Dana Village, exploring the terraced gardens, meeting some local farmers, visiting a traditional bakery, Dana’s Jam Factory and soap and silver workshop. | ||
| Campsite Trail | two hours circular walk around the campsite area, a good place to see birds, especially in the migration seasons. (Can be self guided) | ||
| Wadi Dana Trail | Long hike lovers will enjoy this hiking experience for 14 Km (5-6 hours) of spectacular downhill walk from Dana to Feinan. (Can be self guided) Moderate Trails: (up to 47 years old) | ||
| Roman Lost Copper Mines Tour (Dana- Feinan- copper mines) | 16 Km trail taking 6 hours hiking from Dana to Feinan visiting the copper mines (Guided, group number .maximum 20) | ||
| Rummana Mountain Trail | 2.5 Km moderate trail to Rummana scenic peak for an excellent view of Wadi Araba and an ancient cistern. Here you enjoy 1-2 hours of circular walk. Visitors will pass some magnificent rock structures of sandstone and limestone, observe birds of prey, and view the beautiful nature of the area covered by Juniper trees, early Islamic ruins. (Can be self guided) | ||
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| Steppe Trail | 8 Km trail, taking 3 hours, contouring the huge escarpments of Wadi Dana between Rummana Camp and Dana Village. It offers breath-taking views of the canyon-like Wadi and passes through the village terraced gardens before reaching the Dana Guesthouse and Visitor Center. (Compulsory guided) | ||
| Finan Copper Mine Tour | Short trail, taking 1-2 hours, visiting ancient copper mines, Iron Age sites, a Roman Tower and the impressive tell of Khirbet Fienan, with its Byzantine churches and Christian and Islamic graves. (Compulsory guided) | ||
| Water drops area Tour | 2 Km trail, taking 2.5 hours, starting from al- Barra area to the beautiful springs and ancient ruins in Nawatef area going back to al- Barra area. (Compulsory guided) | ||
| Hard Trails | (up to 35 years old) | ||
| Palm Trees Wadi Tour: 16 Km, very suitable for adventure lovers since it takes 6-8 hours of hard hiking up the Wadi past an oasis with a warm spring beginning from al- Barra to Feinan. (Compulsory guided, group number maximum 15) | |||
| Mysterious Nabatean Tomb Tour | Hard hike trail to a breath taking siq from al- Barra to Shaq al reesh then back to al- Barra for 2 km passing rock arena containing Nabatean tombs. (Compulsory guided - group number maximum 10). | ||
| MUJEB NATURE RESERVE TRAILS | |||
| Group size for all trails | minimum 5 and maximum 25. | ||
| Easy Trails | |||
| The Ibex Trail | Hikers of this trail can enjoy the Ibex enclosures at the Mujib gorgeous mountains. 2 km from the Mujib Bridge starts this trail, then heading to the gorge. Visitors are guided to the Rayyashi Area where one can view some historical monuments. This 2-3 hours hike is ended at the Ibex enclosures where a full explanation about Ibex project is given. | ||
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| The Eagle Nest Trail (Malaqi/Circuit Tail) | The trail starts from the Mujib Bridge area by the Dead Sea, then inside the reserve through the Wadi system until reaching the Mujib Gorge. After that, hiking in the Mujib River up to the Malaqi Area where visitors will enjoy swimming in the natural swimming pools then back to Mujib Bridge. The Reserve Guide always accompanies this hike. It takes around 5 – 6 hours. (Open from the 1st of April until the 31st of October) | ||
| Hard Trails | |||
| The Lost Trail to the Dead Sea (Mujib Trail) | It begins from the upper part of the area at Faqu’a (a small village at the king’s Highway), and then one goes through the fascinating Wadi system until reaching the Malaqi Area of the swimming pools. The voyage continues then in the Mujib Gorge to the Mujib Bridge. This hard hike usually takes 8-9 hours of exciting hard hike. It might include swimming. (Open all year) Important note: All hikes are guided. Life jackets are provided if needed. | ||
| Azraq & Shaumari Reserves Trails | |||
| Rare Birds of Jordan Expedition | 4 hours, 2 km hiking. Touring Azraq wetland Reserve and Shaumari Reserve. Binoculars are necessary. | ||
| Months to visit | in February, March, April, May, October, November. (guided, maximum group number 20) | ||
| Arabian Night Safari | 2 hours using 4x4 WD exploring the wilderness of the reserve by spotlighting animals, enjoying the desert stared sky. (guided, maximum no. 15) | ||
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| Treasure Hunt Tour | 10 hours tour. This tour is done at night in different places like Shaumari and Azraq Reserves in addition to a desert Castle. The aim is to find a hidden treasure – hand made decorated Ostrich Egg. Transportation between places is by 4WD. guided, maximum group number 15 and minimum 5. | ||
| The Druze & Cheshan Cultural Experience | 4 breathtaking hours experiencing traditional food and exploring the local Druze life style and traditions. A traditional meal of one of the two tribes is prepared. (Guided, maximum group number 10). | ||
| WADI RUM TRAILS | |||
| Easy Trails | |||
| Sand dunes Expedition | 4x4 jeep tour: 2 hours, 22 Km Trail. Starts from Seven Pillars of Wisdom passing through Lawrence’s Spring, Khazali Canyon, Lawrence House and the Sand Dunes. You can see mountains, canyons, rock art, Bedouin tents, camels and wild desert. | ||
| Moderate Trails | |||
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| Camel Safari | 24 hours, 40Km moderate trail. It starts from Rum Village, going to Lawrence Spring, the dramatic Umm Frouth Rock Bridge to the sunset site, where you spend the night. On the second day you return to the Village via Khasali Canyon, which has many ancient rock drawings. | ||
| Hard Trails | |||
| Bedouin mountain climb | A hard mountain trail, taking about 12 hours. It starts from the Nabatean Temple by Rum Village, where a competent Bedouin guide will lead you in stages to the top of the second highest mountain in Wadi Rum, at 1754 metres above sea level. The views from the top are truly spectacular. | ||