Hiking Dana Biosphere Reserve: Trail Guide, Best Season & Booking Tips

Dana Biosphere Reserve covers 320 square kilometres of terrain that drops from a sandstone plateau at around 1,500 metres above sea level down through layered canyon systems to the desert floor of Wadi Araba, below sea level. That 1,600-metre elevation change produces four distinct ecological zones — Mediterranean scrubland, subtropical, arid, and hyper-arid desert — and a trail network that is, kilometre for kilometre, the most varied hiking in Jordan.

This guide covers the trails in practical detail: what each one actually involves, who it suits, what to bring, and how to organise the logistics. The reserve is managed entirely by the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN), and working within their system is the only way to access the trails legally and safely.

Understanding the Reserve Layout

Dana village sits on the eastern cliff edge of the reserve at around 1,200 metres. Most visitors approach from the east via the King’s Highway and use Dana village as their base. From here, two trail systems radiate into the reserve:

Eastern trails — starting from Dana village itself. These descend into Wadi Dana canyon and continue to Feynan Ecolodge on the desert floor, 14 kilometres to the west.

Northern trails — starting from Rummana Campsite, approximately 8 kilometres north of Dana village. These loop through the upper reserve at plateau elevation.

Feynan Ecolodge, on the western side of the reserve, can also be accessed from the west via a rough 4WD track from the Wadi Araba road — which makes it a starting point for walking the Wadi Dana trail in reverse, from desert floor back up to Dana village.

Trail 1: Dana Tower Trail (Easy, No Guide Required)

Distance: 2 km loop | Time: 1–1.5 hours | Elevation gain: ~100 m

The Dana Tower Trail starts from the village edge and climbs briefly to a viewpoint ridge before looping back. It is free to walk, needs no RSCN guide, and is well-marked with trail signage. The viewpoint gives a wide panorama over the canyon — the best free outlook in the reserve.

This trail suits anyone who wants an orientation walk before committing to a longer route, or who has limited time, is hiking with young children, or is not confident on uneven terrain. The path is rocky but not technical.

Start point: RSCN visitor centre in Dana village. Trail signs point east from the village gate.

Trail 2: Rummana Mountain Loop (Moderate, Guide Required)

Distance: 4–5 km loop | Time: 2.5–3.5 hours | Elevation change: ~200 m

The Rummana Campsite, 8 kilometres north of Dana village by road, is the trailhead for the northern reserve trails. The most popular route from Rummana is a loop that climbs toward the plateau rim and back, passing through juniper and oak woodland that is unusual for this latitude.

Rummana is the best location in the reserve for Nubian ibex sightings — the large, curved-horn wild goats that navigate the cliff faces with unsettling confidence. Start early (before 8am) and you are likely to see them on the canyon walls above the campsite. Over 200 bird species have been recorded across the reserve; Rummana’s woodland section is particularly good for raptors using the thermal columns rising from the canyon.

A guide is required. Book through the RSCN visitor centre in Dana village or at the Rummana Campsite itself if staff are present. Overnight camping at Rummana is available for approximately JOD 15–20 per person and includes basic facilities — useful if you want to reach the campsite by dusk and start hiking at dawn.

Getting there: Rummana Campsite is accessed by road from Dana village — a 4WD is preferable on the unmade section. RSCN staff can sometimes arrange a driver; ask at the visitor centre.

Trail 3: Wadi Ghwayr Canyon (Moderate–Challenging, Guide Required)

Distance: 7 km loop | Time: 4–5 hours | Best season: March–May

Wadi Ghwayr is the reserve’s water canyon — in spring, a seasonal stream runs through sections of it, making this one of the few shaded, wet hikes available anywhere in Jordan. The trail involves scrambling through the canyon streambed, stepping between boulders and crossing the stream repeatedly. Some sections are narrow enough that you are walking in the water.

This is the most technical of the Dana trails in terms of terrain handling, though it does not require climbing equipment. Sturdy footwear with grip and ankle support is essential — sandals or trail runners are not appropriate. Allow 4–5 hours including rest stops.

A guide is required and genuinely useful here: route-finding in the canyon streambed is not intuitive, and some sections require local knowledge to navigate safely. The guide fee is approximately JOD 15–25 per group as of 2026.

Best season: March to May. By late June the stream may be dry, which removes both the shade and the main appeal of the route. In winter, the canyon can be cold and slippery.

Trail 4: Wadi Dana Descent to Feynan (Moderate, Full Day, Guide Required)

Distance: 14 km point-to-point | Time: 5–7 hours | Net elevation loss: ~1,000 m

The Wadi Dana trail is the reserve’s signature route and one of the best long hikes in Jordan. Starting at Dana village, it descends the full length of the Wadi Dana canyon to emerge at Feynan Ecolodge on the desert floor. The trail is not technically difficult, but the distance and exposure mean it is a serious undertaking that should not be underestimated.

The route passes through all four ecological zones. In the upper canyon, Mediterranean scrubland — juniper, wild olive, and pine — gives way to more arid acacia and tamarisk woodland as you descend. The lower canyon opens into a flat desert valley where acacia trees are the only shade. The change in landscape over a single day’s walking is the trail’s main reward.

An RSCN guide is required throughout. Book the day before at the visitor centre if possible — guide availability can be limited in peak season. Allow the guide fee of approximately JOD 15–25 per group.

Critical logistics:

• The trail is point-to-point. You finish at Feynan Ecolodge, not at Dana village.
• Feynan Ecolodge is extremely remote with no road access from the east.
• Most people who walk this trail stay overnight at Feynan and arrange a 4WD transfer back to Dana the following morning. The lodge organises this at additional cost (approximately JOD 30–40 for the vehicle).
• If you do not stay at Feynan, arrange your return transport in advance — there is no taxi rank or public service at the lodge.

The Feynan-to-Dana Direction (Uphill Variant)

The same trail can be walked in reverse, starting from Feynan Ecolodge and climbing to Dana village. This approach suits travellers coming from the west via the Wadi Araba road (the route from Aqaba or the Israeli border crossing at Wadi Rum). Feynan can be reached by 4WD from the Wadi Araba road; ask the ecolodge to book a driver.

The uphill direction is harder in terms of effort but cooler in the exposed desert section if you start at dawn. Allow 6–8 hours from Feynan to Dana village.

Feynan Ecolodge: What to Expect

Feynan Ecolodge is run by the RSCN as an eco-tourism project that channels revenue into community conservation. The building is solar-powered with no grid connection and no Wi-Fi. Lighting after dark is by candle and solar lantern. Roughly 26 rooms are available, priced at approximately JOD 80–120 per person per night as of 2026, including dinner (a set menu of local Jordanian dishes) and breakfast.

The remoteness is the point. Guests consistently describe the experience of spending an evening in complete dark and silence in the desert as transformative. Star visibility from the Wadi Araba floor is exceptional.

Book through rscn.org.jo. The lodge does not accept walk-in guests. In March and April, rooms fill 2–4 weeks in advance. Outside peak season, 5–7 days notice is usually sufficient.

Best Season Month by Month

Month	Conditions	Verdict
January–February	Cold (3–12°C at Dana village), occasional rain or frost	Possible; pack warmly, Wadi Ghwayr may be wet
March–April	Mild (15–22°C), wildflowers, reliable water in Ghwayr	Best season
May	Warm, flowers fading, trails uncrowded on weekdays	Good
June	Getting hot, Wadi Ghwayr may dry out	Manageable if you start early
July–August	Hot in the canyon (30–38°C at lower elevations), very exposed	Avoid unless acclimatised; hike only before 9am
September–October	Cooling, good visibility	Good second window
November	Cool, quiet	Comfortable for hiking
December	Cold, low visitor numbers, some trail closures after rain	Check with RSCN before visiting

What to Bring

The reserve has no shops. Dana village has a small RSCN crafts shop and the guesthouse kitchen, but no hiking supply store. Bring everything you need from Amman, Wadi Musa (Petra), or Aqaba.

Essentials for any day hike:

• Minimum 3 litres of water per person (5 litres for the Wadi Dana full-day route)
• High-SPF sunscreen and a sun hat — the canyon walls offer shade, but the lower sections are fully exposed
• Sturdy footwear with ankle support — trail runners acceptable for Dana Tower and Rummana, boots strongly recommended for Wadi Ghwayr and Wadi Dana
• Snacks and a packed lunch (the guesthouse in Dana village can prepare a packed lunch with advance notice)
• Light layers — mornings at Dana village are cool even in May
• Headtorch with spare batteries if there is any chance of finishing after dark

For Wadi Ghwayr specifically: Add waterproof shoes or accept wet feet, and bring a dry bag for anything that cannot get wet.

For the Wadi Dana full-day route: Add trekking poles (the descent puts pressure on knees), blister prevention, and a small first aid kit.

RSCN Visitor Centre: Booking Guides and Permits

The RSCN visitor centre is in Dana village, adjacent to the Dana Guesthouse. All guided trail bookings go through here. Opening hours vary by season — aim to arrive by late afternoon the day before your planned hike so you can confirm guide availability and set a start time.

Trail fees are separate from guide fees. As of 2026, day access to the reserve costs approximately JOD 5–7 per person for most trails (free for Dana Tower). Guide fees are approximately JOD 15–25 per group regardless of group size for most routes. Confirm current pricing at the centre — fees are updated annually.

The RSCN website (rscn.org.jo) has general information but trail bookings are typically done in person at the visitor centre, not online. If you have specific requirements or are visiting in peak season, email the RSCN visitor centre in advance: their contact details are listed on the website.

Getting to Dana

From Amman: Approximately 200 km south via the King’s Highway, 3 hours by private car. No direct public transport serves Dana village. Private taxis from Amman run approximately JOD 50–70 one-way for the full journey; arrange through your hotel or a reputable operator and agree the price before departure.

From Petra (Wadi Musa): 70 km north, approximately 1 hour by car. This is the most common approach for travellers already in southern Jordan. Private taxis from Wadi Musa cost approximately JOD 25–35 one-way. Most hotels in Wadi Musa can arrange this.

From Aqaba: 130 km north via the Desert Highway and then the King’s Highway through Wadi Rum. Plan 2–2.5 hours by car. Private taxis from Aqaba are available but expensive — approximately JOD 60–80. Alternatively, reach Dana via the western approach through Wadi Araba to Feynan Ecolodge directly.

By King’s Highway tour: The King’s Highway from Amman to Petra is one of Jordan’s classic drives, passing Madaba, Karak, Dana, and Petra over 2–3 days. Many operators in Amman offer guided versions — you can browse King’s Highway tours from Amman to find options that include Dana as a stop. This spreads the drive over multiple days and is the most comfortable way to reach Dana without a private vehicle.

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See also: Dana Biosphere Reserve visitor guide · Things to Do in Dana · 10-day Jordan itinerary · Karak to Petra via the King’s Highway