Tips 👏
Dana Biosphere Reserve is one of the most beautiful and underrated areas of Jordan, a perfect stop between the Dead Sea and Petra.
- The landscape feels untouched, with dramatic rocky cliffs, deep valleys, and tiny villages.
- Most hikes require a guide and a bit of planning ahead.
- The area is very quiet and authentic, a real break from the more touristy sites.
- Don’t expect luxury, Dana is about nature and simplicity.
- Good hiking shoes are absolutely essential (you’ll get wet and scramble over rocks).
- Bring cash to pay your guide or the lodge (WiFi and card machines are not guaranteed).
- Temperatures can change fast, layer your clothes.
- Stay hydrated, there's not much shade on the trail.
🏠 Accommodation
We stayed at the Dana Trail Hotel, a small, simple place located right on the edge of Dana village. We booked the hotel ahead of time on Booking.com and arranged the hike separately by messaging the hotel directly. The hotel was basic but cozy: clean rooms, a relaxed buffet dinner, and unbeatable sunset views over the valley. Perfect for hiking-focused travelers looking for peace and simplicity.
🚲 Getting there
From the Dead Sea, we drove about 1h30 to Kerak Castle for a short visit, then continued another 2 hours south to reach Dana village. Cars aren’t allowed on the final stretch to the hotel (the road is very steep and unpaved), so we left ours at the public parking lot at the village entrance.
The hotel arranged a 5-minute pickup in a local car. The ride was an experience in itself, with the driver regularly shouting “Yalla habibi!” to encourage his car up the crazy steep road, definitely a fun memory.
⏱ Duration
We stayed two nights, which was absolutely the right call.
The hike starts early and finishes late afternoon, so having an extra night gave us time to properly recover, enjoy the village, and not rush.
If you're planning to hike Wadi Ghuweir or any full-day trail, we strongly recommend two nights.
Kerak Castle Stop 🏰
On the way to Dana, we stopped at Kerak Castle, one of the major Crusader fortresses in Jordan. Entry was 2 JOD or free with the Jordan Pass.
We spent about an hour exploring its dark stone tunnels, old watchtowers, and massive fortress walls. The views over the valleys from the ramparts were stunning, definitely a worthwhile stop to break the drive.
Wadi Ghuweir Trek 🥾
The next morning, after breakfast, we met our guide Ubaidah around 9:00 AM for our full-day hike through Wadi Ghuweir.
Quick Facts:
- Duration: Around 6 hours (including a relaxed lunch break)
- Difficulty: Moderate, not technical, but you’ll need to scramble, cross water, and walk on uneven ground. Suitable for most people with a decent fitness level.
- Highlights: Narrow canyons, shallow rivers, colorful cliffs, shaded picnic spots.
The hike was incredibly varied: narrow canyon walls, river crossings where we got our feet wet, rocky sections requiring some light scrambling, and wide open desert valleys. At a few points, we had fun climbing up giant boulders along the trail—a mini adventure bonus!
Midway through, we stopped in the shade on the side of the canyon for a simple picnic lunch prepared by our guide: fresh grilled vegetables, bread, and sweet tea brewed on the spot. It was simple, delicious, and incredibly peaceful, with only the sounds of the river and the wind around us.
By around 4:30 PM, we arrived at the endpoint of the trail, where a car was waiting to bring us back to Dana village. The total cost for the day (guide, transfers, packed lunch) was 200 JOD for four people.
After a long hike, don't miss watching the sunset from the hotel terrace.
The views of the endless cliffs glowing pink and orange in the evening light are truly unforgettable and the perfect reward after a day on the trail.
Hope this was helpful, you can ask us any questions on Instagram.