Petra Atlas

topographical maps &

route descriptions
a work in progress - v1.0

Amenities
Accommodations: Hotel, hostel, guesthouse, homestay, or free trail angel room
Implies: Water, Bathrooms with showers, Shade, shelter
Bedouin tent accommodations: Guesthouse with sleeping arrangements in Bedouin-style tents, not buildings
Implies: Water, Bathrooms, Shade, shelter
Campsite: An area officially designated for camping, a commercial campsite, or a well-established, often-used wild
campsite. In some natural areas, camping is only permitted in designated sites in order to protect the environment
Implies: No services unless otherwise noted
Free unless otherwise noted
Recommended campsite: An area suitable for wild camping, but not typically used for it
Implies: No services unless otherwise noted
Drinking water: A reliable source of potable water
When appearing next to a spring, well, stream or other natural water source, the water still should be purified before
drinking. The symbol will only appear next to natural water sources that have water year-round
Restaurant: Any establishment selling prepared meals
Implies: Water, Bathrooms, Shade, shelter (possibly only for customers)
Grocery store: A store selling substantial foods and essentials (rather than simply snacks)
Implies: Water, Bathrooms, Shade, shelter (possibly only for customers)
Bus stop: A station or stop where public transit can be taken. May be a central bus station or a roadside stop

Bathrooms: Western-style toilets and sinks unless otherwise noted. Does not imply showers; does imply shelter
Picnic area: An area with picnic tables and other park amenities. May be a good camp spot, if noted
Implies: Shade
Gas station: A gas (petrol) station and its accompanying facilities
Implies: Water, Bathrooms, Shade, shelter, and a snack shop
Shade: A reliably shady spot to rest in. Only appears in stages where shade is otherwise nonexistent; sometimes
refers to the point at which a stage begins to have regular shade after having lacked it (see stage notes for details)
All Amenities: A large town or city generally has everything a hiker needs for resupply, and many shopping,
accommodation, and restaurant options; this is used to save space rather than showing all icons
Implies: Accommodations, Restaurants, Grocery Stores, Public Transportation, Bathrooms, Shade, Water, shelter

Natural Features
Spring: A natural water source emerging from the ground, or a pool. May have water only in season. Often
only visible as an area of heavy plant growth. Does not imply drinking water unless otherwise noted
Well or cistern: A man-made water source dug in the ground. May not have water; also appears to serve as a
landmark. Does not imply drinking water unless otherwise noted
Lookout: A natural or man-made viewpoint with a view in the specified direction
360-degree lookout: A lookout point in all directions; usually the summit of a hill, or a watchtower
Cave: A cave of any size; may be anything from a small nook in a cliff wall to a large cavern system
Implies: Shade and shelter (caves marked on maps are always large enough for people to fit into)
Waterfall: A wet or dry waterfall; dry ones run only seasonally or after rain. Does not imply drinking water

Trail Features and Warnings

Scrambling: A section of trail where rock scrambling (using hands) is required. Note that these are all non-technical;
no sections on the Abraham Path require the use of ropes or other climbing equipment
Ladders: A section of trail where the climbing of ladders, staples or ropes is necessary. Again, it is never necessary
to bring any special equipment on the Abraham Path; all ladders, ropes, and handholds are already installed
!

!
!

Exposed trail: A section of trail that is narrow and exposed to a long drop on one or both sides; path may be
slippery or unstable as well. Use extreme caution when crossing.
While none of these sections are inherently dangerous, people with extreme fear of heights may find these
sections impossible to pass and may wish to plan not to hike these stages
General warning: When this symbol is present, a note beside it or in the walking notes will explain why caution or
extra attention is required on that trail section
Flash flood risk area: An area, normally in a narrow or deep wadi or canyon, where dangerous flash floods (large
walls of water moving extremely quickly) can occur.
It does not have to be raining for a flash flood to occur; rain upstream of a desert canyon can cause flash
flooding in the canyon. Always check local weather forecasts before hiking in flash flood risk areas

Cultural Features
Ruins or archaeological site: Ruins of any age or size. Free admission (or non-maintained site) unless
otherwise noted
Church/Mosque or religious site: This may be either a significant site for one or more religions (tomb of a
famous figure; traditional site of a story or event; etc.) or simply one serving as a landmark
Point of interest: Generic symbol for relevant locations not covered by another symbol; see notes beside the
point for more information

Trail Indicators
Abraham Path route: Shows the route followed by the Abraham Path on a given stage
Other Abraham Path route: Shows Abraham Path routes other than the one that is the focus of a stage
map; includes previous and next stages, detours, spurs, etc.
City Walk routes: Shows City Walk routes, special spurs/alternates of the Abraham Path
Begin/End Stage: Mark the beginning and ending of a stage on stage maps
1.4

Waypoints and Distance Indicators: Waypoints mark turn-by-turn directions and navigational
landmarks along a trail stage. There may be a distance markers, indicating cumulative distance from the
beginning of the stage. Even if no distance is attached, each waypoint has a corresponding entry in the
stages data book which does list its distance as well as a description of the location and directions

Other Geography
Roads: Beige are larger highways, up to expressways; white are smaller roads as well as city streets.
Labelled with road number if applicable
Roads marked this way are virtually always asphalt, but in some places with very few paved roads, a wide,
smooth, easily driveable dirt road may also be marked as a white road (e.g. Harran region)
Dirt road or 4x4 track: A wide, unpaved surface generally large enough to accommodate a jeep or 4x4
vehicle. Should be assumed not to be accessible by normal car unless otherwise noted. The distinction
between these and paths (below) is a gradual one, and some trails are on the borderline between both, or
change from one to the other over a distance
Footpath: A narrow, unpaved walking surface generally too small or too rough to be driven by a 4x4
vehicle. May be wide enough for two people to walk abreast, or a narrow, faint goat path. May be very
clear and easy to follow, or faint and more intermittent.
Wadi Name

Wadi or ditch: A wadi is an intermittent streambed which flows with water only in the wet season or
after rain. Many of them form very large canyons, and wadi can refer either to the broader canyon or to
the streambed in the bottom of it
Stream/River: Waterways that flow year-round, rather than seasonally. A stream is usually small enough to
cross easily by foot, while a river is larger. Canals appear the same as streams or rivers

900

Contour Lines: Show the topography of a landscape; a line is drawn every 10m of elevation, and a thicker line
every 100m with a label showing its height. Lines closer together mean a steeper slope; further apart mean a
gradual one
Summit: A peak or local high point
Built-up area: A town, residential, commercial or industrial area
Forest: A densely wooded area
Border: Country boundaries

Abraham Path
Petra Region (Jordan)

The Abraham Path is a long-distance cultural walking route following the footsteps and memory of Abraham
across the Middle East. The Abraham Path celebrates the Abrahamic values of hospitality and kindness to
strangers, provides eco-nomic benefits to local communities along the route. For more practical planning information, including downloadable companion GPS tracks and waypoints, visit www.abrahampath.org.
This map series is part of an effort by local partners and the Abraham Path Initiative to produce the first allpath online guidebook, covering over 400 km of walking trail and Abrahamic memory and heritage across
the Middle East. We invite you to take part in this project by walking the path, visiting communities along the
way, and by providing comments and suggestions for improvement. These routes are still in development, and
map feedback is especially helpful for name corrections (towns, wadis, landmarks), areas which are difficult to
navigate, and updates on current path conditions (feedback@abrahampath.org).
The Abraham Path in the Petra Region follows the Jordan Trail, a long-distance hiking trail crossing the whole
of Jordan. Find more information at www.JordanTrail.org
Map data OpenStreetMap (and) contributors, CC-BY-SA
Databook & Diagrams Abraham Path Initiative
Disclaimer
This map may not be up to date with recent changes on the ground. By making this map available, the Abraham Path Initiative does
not assume any liability for use of the information provided or for its accuracy. All hiking and other outdoor activities have potential
hazards involving risk of injury or death. The wilderness in and of itself can be a dangerous place and there are areas in the Middle
East that can suddenly become subject to security instability.
By using this map for any use, you recognize this, assume all risks of property damage, personal injury and death, and agree to
hold the Abraham Path Initiative, its Board Directors, its staff, its partners, its contributors and authors harmless from any liability
and loss. You accept the terms and conditions set forth in this Disclaimer on the Abraham Path Initiative website by downloading,
streaming or using any map or other information or materials provided on the Abraham Path Initiative website.
Find out more at www.abrahampath.org

1400

W
(1 adi
09 R
.9 um
km
)

Im

800

S
(9 haq
7. riy
4k a
m
)

s
(2 hit S
3. p
6k ri
m ng
)

900

Hu

1000

Je
be
(8 l K
1. ha
0k ra
m za
)

m
(6 eim
0. a
0k Ru
m in
)
s

0.

Sn
ak

Pe
tra
(

1100

1200

1300

0k

1300

)
on
um
en
t(
5.

8k

Be
e
(4 r H
2. am
6k e
m d
)

1400

700
600

400

Stage 2: 17.8km
(difficult)
10km

20

Stage 3: 20.2km
(difficult)
30

Stage 4: 16.3km
(easy)
40

50

1100
1000
900
800
700

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Stage 1:
500 5.8km
(easy)

1200

Stage 5: 21.0km
(moderate)
60

70

Stage 6: 16.4km
(moderate)
80

90

Stage 7:
12.8km
(easy)
100

600
500
400
109.8

35

Stage 1

Petra

da
n

Tra
il

Stage 2

Jo
r

15

Stage 3

Maan

Imshit Spring

90

35
15

Stage 4

Beer Hamed

65

Humeima Ruins
an

rd

Jo
il
Tra

Stage 6

Mt. Kharaza

Stage 5

Shakriya
Jordan Trail

15

Rum
Stage 7
10 km

abrahampath.org

Snake
Monument

5.8

1181m

1.2k

Umm al-Biyara

1000

1100

Wadi Musa

900

0
100

900

4.0

High Place
of Sacrifice

Theater,
Street of Tombs

Petra

3.2

Temples

ed Stree

Colonn
ad

Mt. Madhbah

2.3

900

1.2

1000

Jordan T
rail

Sextius Florentius Tomb

Royal Tombs

Treasury

l
Al-Siq

Mt. Khubtha

Tr
ai
da
Jo
r

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1.3km

1000

1100

The Monastery

Jor

100

dan
Tra
il

M
Wadi
udhlim

900

0.0

500m

1.0km

Petra
Entrance

Wadi
Musa

1: Petra Entrance to Snake Monument

Distance: 5.8km
Time: 1.5-3 hours
Physical Challenge: Easy
Trail Difficulty: Moderate

(Petra Region)
Walking notes

From the Siq entrance, head past Tickets Control

booth and shops to enter the Siq.
OPTION: If leaving Petra for Wadi Musa, head up
on the wide dirt road in the opposite direction

1.2

1.2

Reach the Treasury, exiting the Siq, and continue R

down the canyon

0.4

1.6

As the canyon begins to widen into the main valley

of Petra, just after passing the Why Not Shop, turn
R up the stairs at a sign for the trail to the High Place
of Sacrifice

0.9

2.3

Reach the top of the steps; at the T-junction, turn L

and follow the path past obelisks on L.
OPTION: head R to visit the High Place of Sacrifice
and lookout

0.6

2.9

At bottom of steps, turn R into sandy open area,

following valley, passing Garden Hall, Colored Triclinium, Soldier Tomb, and Renaissance Tomb

0.3

3.2

At the Renaissance Tomb, continue straight along

same path

0.2

3.4

Pass a sign with an arrow pointing to Qasr al-Bint

Area and az-Zantur Villa; take the Qasr al-Bint
trail heading NW

0.1

3.5

At dry wadi, continue straight on path, as it curves

around hill ahead

0.4

3.9

At a junction of 4x4 tracks, go slight left, staying

level

0.1

4.0

Pass a lone column across from a tea shop (Bedawin Break); turn hard left, heading SW on a 4x4
track away from the central Petra area toward a tall
sheer-sided mountain (Umm al-Biyara) in the close
foreground

0.3

4.3

Cross wadi bed and continue straight along raised

4x4 with low stone wall on L; about 100 meters up
to your R is a sign marking the beginning of the trail
up to Umm al-Biyara

1.2

5.5

Turn L up a rocky path away from the 4x4, toward

houses built into the rocks visible uphill ahead

0.2

5.7

Continue straight as the path crosses reddish rock.

The Snake Monument (a tomb with a heavily-worn
sculpture of a coiled snake close by) is visible uphill
at L. At small staircase cut into stone, just below cave
houses, turn R up between boulders. Continue following small channel/ditch between houses

0.1

5.8

After exiting from between 2 large whitish boulders,

turn L on wide sandy path and again L on 4x4 track,
with large rock face behind you. END STAGE

END

Water is easily available for purchase within Petra; simply bring

enough from Petra to last you until Imshit Spring (17.8km,
along a difficult stage, from the Snake Monument).

Stage

Entry to Petra costs 50JD for a day, 55JD for two days, and 60JD
for three days, per person. Tickets can only be purchased at the
front entrance (on the edge of Wadi Musa), so if you hike into
Petra, you should buy your tickets beforehand or have someone
arrange to buy them and bring them to you.
If hiking unsupported, stock up on food before leaving Wadi
Musa; the next opportunity to buy supplies is in Humeima, in
4-5 days walk.

nd

Snake
Monument

Sn

The Siq

Water:

kS
ta

Th
e

Tr
ea

su

ry

Petra
Entrance

Regular minibuses run between Wadi Musa and Amman (from

Ammans south bus station) and Maan, as well as a daily (but
inconsistent) bus to Wadi Rum. One JETT bus a day also runs
from Amman to Wadi Musa (6:30am) and back (late afternoon).

H
of igh
Sa Pl
cr ac
ifi e
ce

0.0

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ac

km

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2.3

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300
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100

Umm al-Biyara

Petra

1181m

110

00

0.0

10

1100

1200

00

1270m

10

Snake
Monument

Mt. Haroun

900

700

800

600

1.0
1100
1000
1000

00

11

2.0

900

10

da

Jor

10 11
00 00

1300

1200

Wa
di

1100

Ibt

ahi

nT
rai
l

00

800

5.7

60

Amphitheater

90

H ig
hw
ay

Mt. Abu Khusheiba

800

70

5.0

King
s

00
10
900

900

11

00

an

Tr
ai

l
Jo

rd

9.3
Wadi

10.4

1300

0
120

110

1000

Wa
di R

ash
a

140

700

1100
1000
900

800

rish

Al-Taybeh

Tibn

800

900

Rasharish
Spring

ara
M

1100
1000
900

80

700

gh
wa
y

600

Hi

AlQ

Wa
d

iR

Dead Sea

aq

tns
.

o
dt

Roa

ad
W

1000

a
br

a
iS

80

11

60

00

13.2

1000
90

Wadi Tajra

800

90

Jordan

14.9

1000

Trail

00

16.3

Wad
iS

uwe

Al-Rajef

id

80

700

150

1000

d to

100

00

Imshit
Spring

14

it

00

sh

900

Roa

13

Im

17.8

gs

Kin

1 km

Wadi al-Qaa

Wad
i

80

ay
Highw

700

600

120

A l - Q a a

11

600

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2: Snake Monument to Imshit Spring

Distance: 17.8km
Time: 4-7 hours
Physical Challenge: Difficult
Trail Difficulty: Difficult

(Petra Region)
Walking notes

+km

BEGIN STAGE at the small farm just W of and

above the cave houses at the edge of Petra, head SW
on a 4x4 toward two large mountains on horizon
across the valley

0.6

0.6

Shortly after cresting hill, turn L on another 4x4

heading S to cross a wadi bed

1.0

16.3

From the wadi bed, follow the water pipe suspended

in the air, heading S then SE up out of the wadi bed
and above one of its tributaries

0.7

17.0

Continue up on a 4x4 as the pipe veers towards the

trees

0.1

0.4

17.1

Continue up R and SSE on a 4x4, past a rocky track

heading L

0.7

Just before the brow of the hill, take R at Y-junction,

heading downhill and SW to wadi bed

0.2

17.8

END

1.2

Cross the wadi and head straight toward wide path

visible to R of the lone tree

0.2

Reach Ein Imshit spring, feeding into concrete

cisterns; find camping somewhere in the area. END
STAGE

1.4

At brow of hill, path becomes vague; head S toward

4x4 in distance

0.5

1.9

Cross another ditch and join the 4x4 heading uphill

to R

0.1

2.0

At crest of hill overlooking large Wadi Ibtahi ahead,

follow 4x4 downhill to L; continue making your way
down to the main wadi bed and head downstream

1.3

3.3

About 50m before the wadi is apparently blocked by

rocks, take a path up L over ridge, then drop down
to continue along deeper wadi bed below

1.7

5.0

Continue downstream as the wadi bed joins with

another from L; from here you are following Wadi
Sabra

0.6

5.6

Pass a Nabatean amphitheater carved into rock on L

2.7

8.3

As wadi begins to widen, head R up the dark red

stone slope, following the wadi but above it; shortly
you will start seeing cairns marking the route as it
makes its way along the ridge

1.0

The trail along Wadi Rasharish is very rugged and, while it does
not contain any very exposed sections, it can be slippery when
wet.

9.3

Head down, SSW, along a steep gully into the wadi

bed below. Just to your L and behind, Wadi Tibn
joins; downstream from here you are in Wadi
Rasharish

0.9

10.2

Continue downstream along Wadi Rasharish; note

dramatic divide between purple and yellow rock
types

0.2

10.4

Seasonal pools in wadi - Ein Rasharish. Possible

drinking water if filtered or purified; watch for mud
and slippery footing

2.8

If camping, note that the immediate area of Imshit Spring is not

easy to find camp spots in, and camping by the spring may disturb local people (as well as wildlife) who use the water. A better
camping location is in the Al-Qaa area, NW of the spring. If
camping here, an extra few kilometers may need to be hiked to
reach the spring to bring water for the night. This detour can be
avoided by bringing extra water from Petra.

13.2

As the wadi bed begins to turn R and flow NW,

around the outcrop of dark rocks on R, turn L up out
of the wadi on a sandy path heading uphill and SW

0.8

14.0

At the top of the hill, cross dirt road, heading SSW

toward paved road in the distance

0.9

14.9

At hilltop as you reach the asphalt road head SE into

the valley below, then head S past a small farm

0.9

15.8

As you approach another wadi bed flowing ENEWSW, head E towards the white V at the bottom of
the ridge ahead

0.5

Water:
Through-hikers should fill up on water supplies before leaving Petra. Imshit Spring provides reliable water (purify before
drinking) although its immediate area is not ideal for camping
(see below).

Stage Notes:

ea
te
r

Snake
Monument

No public transport. Road access near the end of the stage.

rin
Sp

ith

ish

ph

ar
sh
Ra

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Transportation:

Am

0.0

A
Hi rab
gh aw K in
ay g
Ro s
ad

km

5.7

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1km

10.4

10

Imshit
Spring

14.9

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

17.8

1400
1300
1200
1100
1000
900
800
700
600
500
400

1000

600

Wadi al-Qaa

Imshit
Spring

0.0

700

0.5

1000
900

800

1.4
80

Ghweibeh
Spring

700

90

2.1

100

900
800

1000

4.2

Mt. Masuda

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120

110

00

15

90

rail
an T

1300

1400

0
110

80

Jord

120

1000

100

800

900

80

9.1

Al-Rasis
00

10

900
100

1000

10.6

1100

Dilagha
0

110

1000

Mt. Abu Tarif

10

1200

1100

00

1300

1200

1200

1100

14

00

12.3
Wadi

13.1
!
hw
ay

Beer

Hig

14.3

11
00

12
00

Hamed
1200

1100

o
dt

Roa

Jo

iR

an

rd

d
Wa

ai
Tr

Beer Hamed

1000

Khirbet
bel
Wadi Juwei
Beer Hamed

19.0

11

00

asi

18.2

12

13

12

00

00

1300

1300

1400

! General Warning

1200

00

1 km

Kin
gs

1300

15.3

Scrambling

Flash Flood Risk

Ladders

Exposed Trail

Drinking Water*

*Water from natural sources should be purified

3: Imshit Spring to Beer Hamed

Distance: 19.0km
Time: 5-8 hours
Physical Challenge: Difficult
Trail Difficulty: Difficult

(Petra Region)
km

Walking notes

+km

0.0

BEGIN STAGE. From Ein Imshit, head S following

footpaths

0.2

0.2

Go up L on a rocky scree, past another cistern pit

on R, and follow a natural path through sandstone
rocks uphill.

0.3

0.5

At the crest of the climb, continue along the path

towards some peaks ahead, on a bearing of approximately 170 degrees; soon curve R to head S

0.5

1.0

Scramble up onto a sandy path heading south,

maintaining a southward direction.

0.4

1.4

Reach the top of another climb. Ahead is Jebel Masuda, the further ridge visible, with 2 peaks and a
saddle between. From this point, find the best path
down to the wadi ahead, heading S

0.7

2.1

Above where the greenery-filled wadi (fed by Ein

Ghweibeh) joins from L, continue down a sandy
path, eventually walking with stream bed on L

0.6

2.7

As the wadi joins another wadi bed, cross the larger

stream and head up hill, heading SW. Continue uphill onto tan-colored smoother rounder hills, with a
triangular peak beyond, heading generally WSW

0.4

3.1

At hill top with large pile of rocks, head W along a

path curving right along the hill side, which switchbacks up to the next hill top.

0.6

3.7

Continue on the same climb, as the route levels out,

noting the valley and paved road visible on R. Make
for the asphalt road

0.5

4.2

Turn L uphill on the asphalt road

3.7

7.9

As the asphalt road curves downhill to L into a

switchback, continue straight S along the ridge top

0.7

8.6

Cross the asphalt road at the small wadi bed on the

L, and continue S along the stream bed downhill
parallel to the road.

9.1
9.6

11.2

Shortly after passing a fenced-in field, turn L on a

dirt path across the ridge, staying close above the
wadi bed below on L, and gradually make your way
down into it, head SSE

1.0

12.2

Reach the wadi bed and follow it, making your way
generally S

0.1

12.3

Continue following wadi bed past ancient houses

built into cliff overhangs

0.4

12.7

Reach a 1.5m-high cliff and take a small path at L

up to continue ahead

0.4

13.1

The channel narrows and is almost certain to

have moderately deep pools at least - either wade
through or scramble over the rocks above the pools,
then head S toward the underpass

0.2

13.3

Cross the dirt road above either by walking through

the underpass, or climbing up out of the wadi and
back down. Continue along the wadi

1.0

14.3

Pass another small house built into a cliff overhang

0.5

14.8

Reach a 2m-high cliff and find a way up on R of it;

another cliff follows soon after, also with a good
path up on R

0.5

15.3

Continue in wadi bed past another 4x4 coming

down from R

1.5

16.8

Cross a stream; if it has water it is not good for

drinking. The streambed flows from just to E where
it passes the treatment plant. Just after the crossing,
come to a T of 4x4 tracks. Head R on this, aiming N
then, shortly, turning SW

1.0

17.8

As a clear 4x4 track croses the wadi, heading NNWSSE, take it, heading SSE generally parallel to the
wadi bed

0.4

0.5

18.2

Uphill on L, pass the pump of Beer Hamed with its

windmill and huge green water tank. Keep following the 4x4 S along wadi bed

0.8

As the asphalt road curves L to head SE, cross it,

then head S on a rocky 4x4

0.5

19.0

END

Keep SSW, as the track becomes a smaller rocky

path; continue over a smaller tributary and some
hills, staying SSW toward a large wadi bed

0.9

Continue past the old Beer Hamed - a concrete

cistern on R, with more Bedouin tents in the vicinity. The ruins uphill on L are Khirbet Beer Hamed.
END STAGE

10.5

Reach the larger wadi bed, and cross it to find a 4x4

track heading SSE up the far bank

0.1

No public transport. Road access close by for much of the stage.

10.6

Meet another larger 4x4 and turn L, following it

upstream above the wadi bed. On R are cliffs 1015m high. You will continue following this wadi for
about 11.5km. Staying above it at this point avoids
some rough terrain in the wadi bed

0.6

Water:

Transportation:

Reliable spring/well water (treat first) near both stage ends.

Stage Notes:
There is very little shade along this stage, though occasional
small caves in the sides of wadis can provide some shelter.
Beer
Hamed
er
( W Ha
el me
l) d

Imshit
Spring

Be

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Road to

Hum

eima

abrahampath.org

4: Beer Hamed to Humeima Ruins

Distance: 17.4 km
Time: 4-7 hours
Physical Challenge: Moderate
Trail Difficulty: Moderate

(Petra Region)
Walking notes

+km

0.0

BEGIN STAGE. From the wadi bottom just W of

Khirbet Beer Hamed ruins on hilltop, continue along
the 4x4 track parallel to wadi, heading generally S

0.6

0.6

Pass a cemetery on L and stay with the 4x4 along the

wadi

0.6

1.2

Continue upstream on the 4x4 past an open area

marked by large, jagged black stones to L, toward a
hill with pink sand around its base. Black stone area
is a good campsite. Just S of it, two wadis join; stay
on the 4x4 along the R branch

1.8

3.0

Reaching the top of a climb, continue on the same

4x4 track downhill into the next wadi in a different
watershed

2.0

5.0

As you pass a well (Beer Qarit al-Manaja) on R, a

paved road comes downhill from L; continue downhill on the paved road

1.3

6.3

Cross a small bridge and continue on the paved road

uphill into the village (Qarit al-Manaja)

0.8

7.1

At the end of town, keep L at the Y, heading S

0.6

7.7

Continue S on the same 4x4, crossing a dirt road;

pass a quarry on L

0.4

While extra water may be available at Qarit al-Manaja or its

well, this should not be relied upon. Instead, bring enough
water from Beer Hamed to last all the way until New Humeima
(about 30km). If camping in the area of the Humeima ruins,
bring extra for the night; New Humeima is another 10-12km
away.

8.1

Continue S with the 4x4 across a wadi bed; track

may be washed out; if so, find the best way to its
continuation on the far bank

0.6

Stage Notes:

8.7

Continue straight past a 4x4 heading L, then reach a

fork; both options continue S

0.3

There is very little shade along this stage, but starting around
Humeima, the large sandstone mountains that emerge from the
plain always provide some shade.

9.0

Reach a section where the dirt road collapses into a

wadi; make your way around to R and resume the
same heading on the dirt road on the other side of
the wadi. Head SE then S as the track continues

0.7

9.7

Just before crest of hill/saddle, branch R on a rough,

fainter 4x4 as the main track curves L. Stay S as it
fades into a path and descends into a sandy wadi
going downstream. Maintain heading SSE, crossing
several wadis

1.6

11.3

At a junction of several large 4x4 tracks, take the one

heading due S

1.8

13.1

Continue on the same 4x4, SSW through another

small village. Stay on the 4x4 track, SSW, as other
tracks join and branch throughout the village

0.3

13.4

As you leave the village, begin to walk parallel to an

old water channel or aqueduct on L

1.2

14.6

Continue SW on the same track past a small cluster

of houses on R

1.0

15.6

Head up the low, round hill and take the track heading straight across it, going SSW

0.3

Beer Hamed

5.0

15.9

As you pass a deep wadi on R, another dirt road

joins from R. On the L are open plains with hills
beyond; in the foreground is a wide wadi bed with
more greenery than the surrounding areas. Continue
SW on the 4x4 past a branch of the deep wadi on R

17.4

Reach a paved road just N of the Humeima ruins.

END STAGE

1km

Water:

Humeima
Ruins

6.3

END

No public transport. Road access near the beginning and end of

the stage.

abrahampath.org

1.5

Transportation:

al Qa
-M ri
an t
aj
a

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-M ri
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Humeima Ruins

1.5

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00

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se
rt

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gh
wa
y

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il
ra
nT

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a
rd

New Humeima

90

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tH

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er

s
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wa
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rd

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ai

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abrahampath.org

Mt. Kharaza
100
0

Rock Arches

1 km

5: Humeima Ruins to Mt. Kharaza

Distance: 21.0 km
Time: 5-7 hours
Physical Challenge: Moderate
Trail Difficulty: Moderate

(Petra Region)
km

Walking notes

+km

0.0

BEGIN STAGE at the paved road just N of Humeima

ruins; head southwest toward the small huts among
ancient ruins. Continue SW on a 4x4 or diverge to
explore ruins

0.8

0.8

Pass a few more huts on R as several 4x4 tracks

diverge. Stay SW toward a ridge with a hump on R
and a sloping top to L

0.5

1.3

Continue up SW past a huge cistern/well on L. Stay

up toward the low rock ridge at R

0.2

1.5

Find a small nook in the rock outcrop to R, with a

staircase carved in stone. This makes a good camp
spot and gives a view of the plains to S and E. From
now on, the terrain is sandy and 4x4 tracks unreliable; youll navigate by identifying a points topography and aiming for it. From this point aim due
SE toward the pyramid-shaped mountain with two
hump-shaped mountains to L; take a direct route SE
across the plains, heading 144 degrees

8.5

10.0

Cross the Desert Highway. Modern Humeima (last

supply stop until Shaqriya, 27 km away) is about
1.6km NW along the highway

0.9

10.9

As you pass a fenced-in area on R, curve R to aim for

the left side of the large rock formation ahead, where
power lines cross close to it

1.4

12.3

From the bottom of that rock outcrop, heading SE;

continue to aim for the pyramid-shaped hill in that
direction when it is visible

4.5

16.8

Cross a wadi and continue straight, still passing the

large mountain just L. Then head SSE toward Mt.
Kharaza

2.9

19.7

Head for Mt. Kharaza - the lower dome-like mountain in foreground, L of a set of twin split rocks. It is
distinct for its elegant rock arches (not visible from
the NW, your angle of approach)

1.3

21.0

END STAGE at the rock arches of Mt. Kharaza

Buses stop in Humeima on the route between Amman, Wadi

Musa, Wadi Rum, and Aqaba, along the Desert Highway.

Water:
Humeima is the most reliable water stop for 30km in either direction; its also the first food supply stop after Petra. The town
is 1.5km off the trails route, along the Desert Highway. After
continuing from Humeima, bring enough water for the entire
distance to Shakriya (30km) and more for a night of camping if
you are taking more than a day to do the distance.

Stage Notes:
There is very little shade directly along the route, but southeast
of the Desert Highway, you are never far from a mountain,
which will invariably have some shade on its northern side, if
nowhere else.

END

De
gh ser
w t
ay

Humeima
Ruins

Mt. Kharaza

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1 km

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to
D

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il

ad

n Tra

Ro

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abrahampath.org

6: Mt. Kharaza to Shakriya

Distance: 16.4 km
Time: 4-6 hours
Physical Challenge: Easy
Trail Difficulty: Moderate

(Petra Region)
km

Walking notes

+km

0.0

BEGIN STAGE at the rock arches of Mt. Kharaza.

Head SE then S from the mountain, following a wellused dirt track curving around the mountain

2.2

2.2

From a smaller outcrop just S from Kharazeh, with

cluster of small peaks on R, pass between a bigger
peak on L and the rest on L. Pass a small house built
into a cliff overhang on R, and continue due S across
the plain

3.2

5.4

After climbing up a small sandy ridge in the middle

of the plain, change heading to SSW, aiming for a
small black hill with a sand dune on its L-hand slope.

2.5

7.9

Pass a large mud flat on L, aiming SSW to pass

between the large mountain on L and the smaller hill
with its dune on R

0.8

8.7

Pass the dune on R and continue S past the inlets

in the cliffs on L. As you finish passing these outcrops, head SW on a bearing of 240 degrees, aiming
just to R of a tall mountain ahead

2.8

11.5

As you pass the tall mountain on L, turn L to head

due S between it (on L still) and another smaller one
on R. Continue S through this gap across a large
mud flat ahead

2.3

13.8

Cross under the high-voltage lines in the mud flat,

and continue toward the village of Shakriya ahead,
crossing. Also visible to R of town is Beit Ali, a tourist resort at the foot of a cliff

2.6

16.4

Enter Shakriya - END STAGE

No public transport. From Shakriya, you may be able to hitchhike or hire a driver; the Desert Highway is just west of town,
and there are regular buses running along it to major destinations.

Water:
No water on the stage until Shakriya. Bring enough water from
Humeima (10-12 km from Mt. Kharaza) to last the whole distance to the end of this stage.

Stage Notes:
There is very little shade directly along the route, but you can
find shade around the sides of the mountains that are always in
sight.

END

ne

Mt. Kharaza

nd

Du

Shakriya

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7: Shakriya to Rum

Distance: 12.4 km
Time: 2-4 hours
Physical Challenge: Easy
Trail Difficulty: Moderate

(Petra Region)
km

Walking notes

Transportation:

+km

0.0

BEGIN STAGE at the northern edge of Shakriya;

continue SSW through town. Cross the railroad
tracks and aim straight for the Wadi Rum Visitors
Center, the only building ahead to S

2.2

2.2

Walking S parallel to the road, see a sign for Wadi

Rum: 12km spraypainted on a boulder on R

3.0

No public transport except an irregular daily bus from Rum

to Aqaba. From Shakriya or Rum, you can to hitchhike or hire
a driver; the Desert Highway is just to the west, and there are
regular buses running along it to major destinations.

5.2

Reach the Visitors Center and pay your entrance

fee. From here, head S along or parallel to the road
toward Rum village

7.2

Water:

12.4

STAGE END: Rum Village, Rest House.

Water available in Shakriya, the Visitors Center, and Rum village; no need to carry excessive amounts.

END

Stage Notes:
At the Visitors Center, pay the 5JD entry fee into the Wadi Rum
area. This is a flat entry fee without a limit on the length of your
stay.
Although Wadi Rum is relatively densely populated with
Bedouin camps and you may often encounter groups on jeep
or camel tours, it is still an isolated area. It also lacks cell phone
service. Therefore, practice all the usual desert safety precautions, doubly so if the weather is hot.

1400
1300
1200
1100
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400

Vi Wa
sit d
or i R
s um
Ce
nt
er

Wadi Rums many mountains and canyons feature myriad

climbing and scrambling routes; several good guidebooks
describe a number of the best, but consider hiring a local guide
if you wish to spend more time exploring the area. Jebel Rum
is an easily accessible, and spectacular, all-day hike for which a
guide would be a great help.

Shakriya

Rum

5.2
abrahampath.org

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19

Abraham Path
Petra Region (Jordan)

Trekking from Petra to Wadi Rum, youll quickly leave the busy tourist center and former glory of an ancient
civilization, and spend a week wandering through the silence and emptiness of the high desert. Pass tiny village oases, clusters of Bedouin tents around a lone well, and the sprawling remains of an Umayyad city long
forgotten. Past Humeima, the landscape changes, and towering mountains begin to beckon from the south:
The high sandstone spires of Wadi Rum, home to one of the most famous centers of natural beauty in the
Middle East.
The hike is a long and lonely one, and as with all desert hikes, requires good planning and knowledge of
navigation, or the services of a local guide. While the logistics of the trek may be challenging, it is not overly
physically demanding, and the scenic rewards at the end provide a matchless ending to the journey.
The Rum region is one of the most famous places where Bedouin culture meets the modern world: many
of the locals make a living using their extensive knowledge of the outdoors to show visitors the best routes
through the desert and up the forbidding mountains, whose peaks are some of the highest in the region. For
those who wish for a change of pace from hiking, Wadi Rum is also known for its camel and jeep tours, and
for the experience of a night under perfect starry skies, enjoying the silence and delicious Bedouin food.
Accommodations:
Wadi Musa and Wadi Rum, at the northern and southern ends of the regions route, both have scores of accommodation options - hotels in Wadi Musa, and Bedouin camps in Wadi Rum. As these are major tourist
destinations, there is plenty of online information about accommodation options there.
In between these points, camping is the only way to go. Unsupported hikers will need to plan their distances
carefully and carry lots of food and water (from Wadi Musa to Humeima is a 4-5 day hike without a place to
buy food). Hikers utilizing support vehicles can forego these issues; guiding services can be hired which offer
any combination of a guide, luggage transfer, trucking in of supplies, and cooked meals at each camp.
Wild camping isnt allowed within the central areas of Petra, but on the fringes where the Snake Monument
is, camping is fine - ask a local if its OK and where a good place would be. Beyond this point along the trail,
there are no camping restrictions.
Each stage has at least one recommended wild camping spot; there are plenty of other possibilities as well.
From Petra to Humeima, the rougher terrain makes it more difficult to find good camping, but after crossing
the Desert Highway heading south, the flat plains and large sandstone mountain islands provide countless
sheltered spots to pitch tents, and wild camping is possible virtually anywhere. In some cases the recommended camp spots, while scenic, may not the most isolated (e.g. Mt. Kharaza, which is often visited by tour
groups seeing its rock arches).
While most visitors to Wadi Rum stay in Bedouin camps in the wilderness, Rum villages Rest House offers
backyard camping for 2JD (if using own tent) or 3JD (if using a tent they provide). Includes shower access
(there may or may not be hot water).

Abraham Path
Petra Region (Jordan)
Water and Supplies:
While this route does have enough water points to be hiked unsupported, this will require careful planning,
as well as extra physical fitness. The route contains two long stretches, of nearly 30km each, between reliable
water sources: From Beer Hamed to New Humeima, and from New Humeima to Shakriya. Hikers should
plan either to carry more than a days worth of water (and more for camping and cooking), or hike each
30-km stretch in a day - keeping in mind that such a long distance is more difficult while carrying 6 or more
liters of water.
See stage pages for notes on water sources along the way, and keep in mind that all natural water sources
should be purified prior to drinking! Even when the drinking water bottle symbol appears next to a
natural water source, water should be treated - even if locals drink the water safely, a tourists body may not
respond as well to it. For information on water purification methods recommended for Jordan, see www.
abrahampath.org.
Two small villages just south of Beer Hamed may provide opportunities to refill water, but as water sources
are scarce in these remote desert areas, they should not be relied upon.
Otherwise, water sources appear at least once per stage, and refills can be planned into a once-a-day schedule.
As this is the desert, carry at least five liters a day per person for drinking, besides water for camping and
cooking.
Petra is well-stocked with restaurants and snack shops, but Wadi Musa is the last place to buy groceries until
reaching the Desert Highway and New Humeima. Be sure to buy enough food for the 4-5 days in between if
you are hiking unsupported. Rum village is the next supply stop after Humeima - a 2-3 day hike. Otherwise,
the route is devoid of food shopping options.
Transportation:
Shuttle buses from Queen Alia International Airport to downtown Amman depart every half hour between
6am and 4:30pm (50min, 3JD, 06-4453200). Private taxis have posted prices depending on destination, with
an average cost of 20JD to downtown Amman.
From Ammans southern bus station, buses depart for Wadi Musa, Aqaba, and other southern destinations;
from these towns, taxis can be arranged to the nearby villages. Buses from Amman to the south stop in Humeima, as well as at the Rashidiya junction by request - this is the junction closest to Wadi Rum, from which
you can hitchhike the rest of the way as the locals do, by offering a few JD to whoever picks you up.
A private taxi from Amman to Wadi Musa should cost around 50JD ($70). As always, be sure you have
agreed on a price with the driver before beginning your journey. Taxis from Aqaba to Wadi Rum generally
cost 20-25JD.
The Amman airport and city center also offer numerous rental car companies (average cost of $75/60 per
day, gas/petrol 0.89/liter, $4.20/gallon).
For up-to-date information on entering Jordan and on visa costs, see www.abrahampath.org

21