Once you see Jordan’s rugged wadis from the King’s Highway, you’ll undoubtedly want to spend time exploring one or two on foot. Dana Biosphere Reserve has a variety of trails that climb up and down its valleys, making it the perfect destination to hike inside these natural wonders. Then, after hiking in the deep wadis, plan to spend time exploring the Bedouin village of Dana on the rim above.
To see where Dana is located, please click on the link to view our interactive map of Jordan.
Dana Biosphere Reserve is a large nature reserve that drops down from the Qadisiyyah Plateau at 1,570 m (5,150 ft) to the desert plains of Wadi Araba, far below. Its terrain includes ruggedly picturesque mountains and long, deep wadis (valleys). As with the Jordan Valley to the North, it is part of the Great Rift Valley that extends from Mozambique all the way to the Sea of Galilee (Lake Tiberias). This phenomenal landscape was slowly shaped over eons by frequent tectonic activity.
Wadis are dry river valleys that usually only fill with water after heavy rains. In this part of Jordan, most wadis create dramatic landscapes.
Not only is this terrain interesting to look at, but it also encompasses four different biogeographical zones, which makes it very unique. It begins in the oak forests of the Mediterranean Zone in Dana Village, then it travels through semi-arid steppes and a desert-like zone in the middle and ends in the arid hot plains of Wadi Araba. With these zones, it also has a large diversity of animals and plants.
Dana has taken advantage of its unique location to reinvent itself as an eco-friendly destination for outdoor enthusiasts. The diversity in terrain means that there is a wide variety of activities. From birdwatching tours to hiking and biking trails and canyoning, there’s sure to be an activity for you. We’ll show you what to expect when you hike the Wadi Dana and Wadi Village Trails and also entice you to stop to visit the cute Bedouin village of Dana.
Wadi Dana Trail
Distance – Approximately 15 km (9.3 mi) one way; Elevation loss – 723 m (2,373 ft), gain approximately 100 m (330 ft). Difficulty – Medium, but doing it both ways means you must regain that elevation to get back up to the village.
The trail takes you from a rustic hilltop village, down into an arid canyon and feels like you’ve entered another world. From Dana Village, the trail quickly drops down 400 m (1,310 ft) to the base of Wadi Dana. From there, the undulating trail follows the gorge for its length.
The variation in the rock’s texture and colour is quite remarkable for a relatively short valley. On the walk, you’ll pass terrain that ranges from smooth, water-worn, sandy-coloured rock to jagged, deep red cliffs. In addition, the sun alters their look even more as it moves across the sky throughout the day.
As you descend, you transition through the four ecosystems. After walking through a very arid environment, with mostly low grass and shrubs, you’ll find pockets of pine, juniper and mastic trees near the valley bottom. The latter were loaded with inedible wild pistachios. The real surprise was the abundance of flowering pink oleander bushes, adding another colour to the landscape.
The two hundred bird species living in the reserve make Dana Biosphere Reserve a popular destination for birders. We were often joined by Dead Sea starlings, mourning wheatears, and often heard the distinctive song of cuckoos. Even though we spent time searching for them on the cliffs, the cuckoos didn’t show themselves.
As we looked up into the cliffs, we noticed a lot of caves high up on the rock walls. Some Bedouin shepherds still use them as shelters and mark them with flags. As if to confirm this, soon after seeing some caves, we passed a shepherd and his flock of sheep. Although he may not look it in the picture, he was actually quite friendly.
In other areas, we saw what looked like a tiered cave city, but are actually cave-like patterns worn into the rock by wind and rain.
The further you get down the gorge, the cliffs slowly become shorter and less dramatic, until the trail reaches the flat plains at the bottom.
The trail ends at Feynan Ecolodge, on the edge of the plains on Wadi Araba. From there, you will most likely take a ride back to Dana Village. You can either prearrange it with your Dana hotel or hire one from the lodge, but it will be more expensive.
Some people walk back or only walk the first half of the gorge and turn around to walk back to Dana. The first half of the trail is much more interesting, so this is a good alternative.
Tips for the Wadi Dana Trail
- There is no shade, and it will be very hot in the summer, so bring a hat and sunscreen. There are no services, shops or water on the trail, so bring what you will need. As well, the terrain can be rough, so wear good hiking shoes and bring hiking poles.
- The trails are managed by the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN), and some require a guide, while others don’t. You do not need a guide for the Wadi Dana Trail. It is very easy to follow and is on Mapy.cz and AllTrails.
- In Dana and many places in Jordan, GPS is often inaccurate. The cause is jamming due to the US/Israel-Iran and the Israel-Palestine wars. Therefore, if you plan to use a map application, don’t rely on it to give your exact position. For example, ours often said we were in Amman, almost 200 km away.
- There is no mobile coverage on the Wadi Dana Trail, so download maps ahead of time.
- There is no ATM in Dana, so bring enough cash for the duration of your stay. Hotels may accept credit cards, but shops usually only accept cash.
- Dana Village is located at 1,240 m (4.068 ft), so you’ll want to have a jacket or sweater for its cool evenings.
Dana Village Trail
The short 2-kilometre Dana Village Trail is a nice one to do when you arrive and don’t have a full day to hike. The views aren’t spectacular, but it gives you an idea of the landscape from the edge of the rim.
Dana Village
Several generations of Bedouin shepherds used this precarious spot on the rim of Wadi Dana as a summer camp to graze their sheep. They likely wouldn’t have guessed that Dana would go on to become a popular eco-friendly hiking destination.
Surrounded on three sides by steep drop-offs, that village today has a lot of charm. Ottoman-era flat-roofed stone homes crowd together in this small ridge. Even the mosque is built entirely of stone. Most of the population has moved to the more modern town of Al-Qadisiyyah on the top of the plateau, and their ancestral homes have been turned into inns. Regardless of its new resurgence as an eco-destination, Dana still has a timeless aura.
Even if you don’t hike, seeing this village and its gorgeous setting on Wadi Dana is a must when visiting Jordan.
Other trails
Wadi Ghuweir – This trail follows a tight gorge that includes a bit of adventure, with scrambling, canyoning and walking in the creek. You don’t need a guide, but you will need transportation. Tours are offered in town that provide a drop-off at the start and a pick-up at the end of the wadi. Dana Tower Hotel organizes groups, or there are usually enough people in town to share the shuttle costs. (75JD)
Dana to Petra – Another option if you have time, is the 3-day guided hike from Dana Village to Petra. Though it is a long hike, it would be a wonderful way to arrive in the famous city of Petra.
Best time to visit Dana Biosphere Reserve
Spring and fall are the best times to visit because temperatures are more moderate. In summer, the heat can be excessive, and in winter, it can receive more rain. Throughout the year, evenings are quite cool.
Getting to Dana Biosphere Reserve
Located midway between Amman and Petra, the small community is not well connected by public transportation. Driving yourself or taking a taxi is the most common way to travel. If you prefer to travel by bus, you can catch a minibus to Tafila or Ma’an and take a taxi to Dana. Buses to/from Tafila leave from Amman’s South Bus Station or the Bus Station in Aqaba. From Wadi Musa (Petra), you need to transfer in Ma’an.
The drive on King’s Highway from Karak passes through the picturesque Wadi al-Hasa. You can read more about this iconic road trip in our post, Driving the King’s Highway.
Where to stay and eat in Dana
The typically busy village of Dana is ready for tourists with several locally run hotels in town. They range from basic to more luxurious, but even the more expensive hotels will be a little rustic. We enjoyed staying in the Dana Tower Hotel, partly because it is housed in a traditional stone building.
The family-run hotel offers guiding services, and during high season, they are usually busy, so you can share the costs with other hikers. For us, due to the Iran War, we were the only foreigners in all of Dana.
Most hotels have their own restaurant offering delicious local options.
Please note, we visited Jordan in the spring of 2026. At that time, there was a ceasefire in the Iran War due to the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding. Since conditions are changing frequently, please read current news on the area before planning your trip.
Here’s a link where you can read more of our adventures in Jordan, and a link to our interactive map of Jordan.
Coming Next – Petra: An Ancient Wonder
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