6 Things to Know about the Wadi Ghuweir Trail: The Most Beautiful Hike in Jordan

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Jordan is a true outdoor destination, offering dozens of incredibly beautiful trails through deserts, mountains, and canyons. We set out to find a lesser-known trail and stumbled upon an article about the Wadi Ghuweir Trail on a very old website. According to the article, it’s one of the most beautiful hikes in Jordan that hasn’t been discovered by the masses yet. The photos were old and of poor quality, but they looked promising. We decided to put it to the test, and in the end, the Wadi Ghuweir Trail turned out to be the highlight of our trip. Here are all the things you should know about the Trail!

What makes the Wadi Ghuweir Trail so unique?

The Wadi Ghuweir Trail is a tropical paradise. You follow a stream of water through a constantly changing landscape. You walk through a narrow canyon with giant red walls that have been carved out by the water flowing through for centuries. The walls of the canyon display different shades of red or orange every few feet, and occasionally, you have to climb over large rocks. Halfway through, you reach hanging gardens filled with ferns, palm trees, and various mosses growing from the walls and crevices of the canyon. In some places, water flows through the canyon walls, providing an opportunity to drink from natural springs. It’s a feast for the eyes, and you’ll want to stop every five minutes to take a photo or simply marvel at the impressive nature.

How difficult is the Wadi Ghuweir Trail?

A good thing to know is that the Wadi Ghuweir Trail is approximately 17 kilometers (10 miles) long and cuts through a mountainous gorge. It’s not an overly difficult hike, but there are some climbing and scrambling involved along the way. The specific challenges may vary each year, depending on the water flow through the canyon during the winter season, which shapes the landscape. Accumulated large rocks pose fun obstacles during the hike. The entire journey takes about 6 hours, with a majority of it being in the shade. Prior hiking experience is not necessary, but a bit of courage and fitness are beneficial. Although we usually prefer hiking without a guide, for this hike, we highly recommend having a guide since you never know what you might encounter. The guide knows the easiest itinerary and can assist you on difficult sections. They also carry a rope and can provide support for climbing if needed.

What are the costs?

While the entrance fee is free, unfortunately, the Wadi Ghuweir Trail is not a cheap hike. This is because the infrastructure in this mountainous area is quite limited, and the starting and ending points are far apart in terms of roads. The trail itself is only 17 kilometers (10 miles) long, but to return from the endpoint to the starting point, you’ll need to drive for two hours. Therefore, private transportation is required, and it can be expensive in Jordan. Additionally, the guide’s services come at a relatively high cost. In total, you can expect to spend around $190. This cost is not per person but for a group of up to 4 people. You don’t need to book in advance and can arrange the transportation and guide the day before at your hotel. Later on, we’ll discuss the ideal base for this hike.

Packing List for the Wadi Ghuweir Trail

Water shoes or an extra pair of shoes (especially necessary in the spring)
Two liters of water per person
Good grip shoes
Backpack
Lunch and snacks
Tips for the guide and driver
Layered clothing and optionally a poncho
Sunscreen
Camera
Sunglasses
Blister plasters

What is the best time to visit?

Do not hike the Wadi Ghuweir Trail between November and March. During this period, you can be surprised by flash floods. Rainfall miles away can suddenly flow into the narrow canyon, creating swift currents. Unfortunately, people have lost their lives on this trail during winter due to such incidents. Therefore, it is recommended to hike the Wadi Ghuweir Trail only from April to October. The spring and fall seasons are ideal because the weather is less hot, but it is also doable in the summer as you can cool down in the water at certain points and start hiking early.

The best base for the Wadi Ghuweir Trail?

You can undertake the Wadi Ghuweir Trail from Dana, but it’s also possible from Wadi Musa, the village near Petra. From our perspective, it’s best to choose Dana as your base because of its beautiful location. Dana is a mountain village and serves as a starting point for several beautiful trails, including the Wadi Ghuweir Trail. There are many experienced guides living here, and everything is catered to hikers. You can easily arrange for a guide and transportation at your hotel the day before. There aren’t many hotels in Dana, so it’s wise to book as early as possible.

We stayed at the unique Wadi Dana Eco Camp. Here, you can sleep in a Bedouin tent or a room, both offering a view of a vast valley. The food is delicious, and the sunset is incredible. It’s definitely highly recommended! If you book through this link, you can cancel for free up to one day before your stay. If this accommodation is a bit too expensive or fully booked, Al Nawatef Eco Camp and Dana Sunset Eco Camp are also great options.