Day 3: Various rock formations between Qutla ruins and Qbour al-Wahdat
For years, Jordan has been associated with its epic history and landscapes, from the hidden ruined city of Petra to the red-sand dunes and canyons of Wadi Rum.
It's a country with stunning history, but not really known for hiking - the Jordan Trail, a recently introduced epic 650km route stretching the entire length of the state from its north to the south, may however well change that perception.
Each hike must have its most popular and admired part, and for the Jordan Trail it comes two-thirds of the way through the route with the stage from the Dana Biosphere Reserve to the ancient city of Petra.
Starting in one of Jordan's most scenic nature reserves, it takes four days mostly on the little-trodden and unmarked paths to finally reach the country's most iconic sights at Petra, which one enters - contrary to the vast majority of visitors - backdoor and alone.
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During the third day, we left Wadi Feid shortly before 5AM hiking in the eastern direction on the mostly dry rock riverbed.
The trail then continued along the escarpment line of the Jabal Safaha mountain ridge, offering stunning views of the deep valleys below us.
Having passed the Qutla ruins of a former settlement (no water source), we continued hiking in the southern direction, following now a slowly diminishing footpath.
Then, we entered an interesting sandstone landscape full of beautiful rock formations of different shapes and colours - the area here somehow reminded me of the Needles national park, Utah.
Then, we decided to make a shortcut to the Ammarin camp, our place of overnight stay - following a 4WD track to a ridge eastwards, we reached the pass realizing to our great relief that the shortcut is passable, despite quite steep descent requiring some minor scrambling.
We reached the secluded Ammarin camp shortly afterwards, and having much needed shower we enjoyed lazy laying on mattresses in the shade below a tall rock, sipping mint tea and taking a much needed rest.
Day 3: Various rock formations between Qutla ruins and Qbour al-Wahdat
For years, Jordan has been associated with its epic history and landscapes, from the hidden ruined city of Petra to the red-sand dunes and canyons of Wadi Rum.
It's a country with stunning history, but not really known for hiking - the Jordan Trail, a recently introduced epic 650km route stretching the entire length of the state from its north to the south, may however well change that perception.
Each hike must have its most popular and admired part, and for the Jordan Trail it comes two-thirds of the way through the route with the stage from the Dana Biosphere Reserve to the ancient city of Petra.
Starting in one of Jordan's most scenic nature reserves, it takes four days mostly on the little-trodden and unmarked paths to finally reach the country's most iconic sights at Petra, which one enters - contrary to the vast majority of visitors - backdoor and alone.
-----
During the third day, we left Wadi Feid shortly before 5AM hiking in the eastern direction on the mostly dry rock riverbed.
The trail then continued along the escarpment line of the Jabal Safaha mountain ridge, offering stunning views of the deep valleys below us.
Having passed the Qutla ruins of a former settlement (no water source), we continued hiking in the southern direction, following now a slowly diminishing footpath.
Then, we entered an interesting sandstone landscape full of beautiful rock formations of different shapes and colours - the area here somehow reminded me of the Needles national park, Utah.
Then, we decided to make a shortcut to the Ammarin camp, our place of overnight stay - following a 4WD track to a ridge eastwards, we reached the pass realizing to our great relief that the shortcut is passable, despite quite steep descent requiring some minor scrambling.
We reached the secluded Ammarin camp shortly afterwards, and having much needed shower we enjoyed lazy laying on mattresses in the shade below a tall rock, sipping mint tea and taking a much needed rest.