As one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, Petra is undoubtedly a must-see when visiting Jordan. With my love of the outdoors, I couldn’t wait to go hiking in Petra and explore this extraordinary place.
From Amman, I booked a JETT Bus ticket through an American website, planning to travel to Wadi Musa, Jordan, the gateway to Petra. The journey was supposed to take around four hours in a comfortable coach. However, as I waited for the bus, I quickly realised there wasn’t another departure that day. Apparently, the bus had left an hour earlier. I still don’t know why my ticket showed the wrong departure time, but once again I found myself stranded. After another transport mishap (remember my adventures in Amman?), I ended up booking an Uber for the 200-kilometre journey to Wadi Musa, home to the famous ancient city of Petra, the filming location for Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.
In the end, taking an Uber turned out to be the better option. The three-hour drive was comfortable, and I could simply sit back and enjoy the journey. My driver happily stopped whenever I wanted to photograph the landscape or grab a coffee along the way. It became the perfect way to experience the changing scenery. Although much of Jordan is a rocky desert, the dramatic mountains surrounding Wadi Musa are absolutely breathtaking. I knew I was in for something special.
…
The town Wadi Musa
Wadi Musa, the gateway to Petra, is a small but very, very hilly town. If you choose a hotel away from the main entrance, be prepared to walk plenty of steep streets and stairs. While there isn’t a great deal to see in Wadi Musa itself, you’ll find enough local supermarkets, cafés and restaurants to comfortably spend a few days there.
I think many visitors arrive on a tour bus, spend a day hiking in Petra, and leave again.
So I decided to do things differently. I stayed in a private apartment for three nights so I could spend two full days hiking in Petra. And I would highly recommend doing the same. Petra is enormous, and there is far more to discover than you can comfortably see in a single day.
…
Hiking in Petra
DAY 1
On my first day hiking in Petra, I walked for more than five hours. As an early riser, I entered through the main gate before 8 am, hoping to avoid the crowds. I wanted to arrive before all the tour buses. Clearly, a few other people had the same idea, as it was already quite busy.
After passing through the main entrance, the long, flat path gradually narrows into the spectacular Siq, a winding gorge that leads to Petra’s most famous landmark, the magnificent Treasury (Al Khazneh). It was an incredible first impression of Petra, and the camels waiting nearby created a wonderfully atmospheric setting for my photos.
It didn’t take long before the locals tried to sell me camel rides, souvenirs or a private guide to the viewpoint above the Treasury. Apparently, you’re not allowed to walk up there on your own, but don’t be fooled. There’s another trail on the opposite side that leads to a similar viewpoint, completely free of charge. It offers a different perspective of the Treasury, and the short climb is definitely worth the effort.
…
High Place of Sacrifice
After the Treasury and walking past countless souvenir stalls and very enthusiastic salespeople, I decided to follow the trail leading up to the High Place of Sacrifice. It was a fantastic addition to my hiking in Petra, allowing me to climb higher, enjoy spectacular views and explore a quieter part of the ancient city, rather than simply following the main path to the Great Temple. I saved that section for the walk back and for my second day, when I continued on to the Ad Deir Monastery.
After completing the loop, passing the Great Temple, and returning via the Treasury, my first day hiking in Petra came to an end just as the day began to heat up. Under the bright sunshine, Petra and its magnificent rock-cut façades looked absolutely breathtaking. It’s easy to understand why Petra is known as the Rose City. The rich red and pink colours of the sandstone really stood out, especially when I looked through my photos later that evening.
After finishing my hike, I still had one final challenge. The steep walk back up to my hotel in Wadi Musa. I had definitely done enough exercise for one day!
…
DAY 2
On my second day hiking in Petra, I headed towards the magnificent Ad Deir Monastery. I had read that you can also hike to the monastery from Little Petra, just up the road. However, that would have meant catching a taxi to get there, so I decided to follow the same route through Petra as I had the day before. After all, it’s a beautiful walk, and I was more than happy to tackle the many steps leading up to the monastery. Of course, if you prefer an easier option, you can always hire a donkey. They seem to go everywhere.
The hike was absolutely beautiful. From the breathtaking views to the many souvenir stalls along the way serving tea, coffee and local handicrafts, the climb was surprisingly enjoyable. Then, at the top, the impressive Ad Deir Monasterycame into view, towering above the ancient city of Petra. Its enormous rock-cut façade is truly spectacular and definitely worth the effort.
I was also grateful to be visiting in March, when the temperatures were pleasant and perfect for hiking in Petra.
…
Sitting high in the mountains, I saw signs everywhere pointing to the “Best View in the World.” Naturally, I followed every single one of them—especially because they were free. And they certainly didn’t disappoint. The panoramic views across Petra and the dramatic Jordanian landscape were absolutely breathtaking from every angle.
After two days of hiking in Petra, I can honestly say it’s one of the most remarkable places I’ve ever visited. The weather was perfect, the people were friendly, and the Arabic coffee was delicious. That said, if you enjoy unique landscapes like Petra, I would also highly recommend Cappadocia. Personally, I found Cappadocia even more extraordinary. Perhaps it was because of its sheer size, or maybe it was the fairy chimneys and valleys. I’m not entirely sure. You’ll have to decide for yourself… or read my blog about it here: Hiking in Cappadocia – Love & Rose Valley.
That said, after my two days hiking in Petra, I was definitely happy to have finally experienced this incredible wonder of the world. It is absolutely incredible. Next, I was looking forward to slowing down and spending some time in the spectacular desert of Wadi Rum. Read: Glamping in Wadi Rum – the ultimate desert experience?
P.S. I had also planned to visit Petra by night. However, the experience isn’t included in the Jordan Pass, and after reading several reviews, I decided to skip it. Although the candlelit Treasury looks beautiful, many visitors felt it wasn’t worth the additional 20 JOD.
As you already know, I don’t usually write much about the history of the places I visit. So if you’d like to learn more about Petra, you can read more on their own visitors webpage.
(post 187)
