Dana village: the terraces above Wadi Dana

Start at the Dana Guesthouse (RSCN), at the edge of Dana (ضانا), a stone village built on the rim of Wadi Dana at about 1,220 m. Follow the village lane east past the mosque and the drinking-water point, then north to the Dana viewpoint, and carry on along the track at the village edge, north-west of the village, above the terraced gardens that RSCN describes. Turn round where the track ends and come back the same way. RSCN's own Dana Village Tour also passes local craft workshops and original Ottoman architecture; the workshops are not mapped, so ask at the Guesthouse where they are.

It is 2.0 km there and back with 98 m of ascent; allow about an hour, as RSCN gives 1 to 1½ hours. The grade is Easy: village lanes and a stony track, with one short climb back up from the far end.

The village stands on the rim of the valley, so keep children close where the ground falls away. Dana is a place where people live: dress modestly and ask before photographing anyone. Bring a hat and water; the UK government's advice for Jordan is to carry enough for extreme temperatures.

RSCN lists the tour as open all year, guided or self-guided, starting between 08:00 and 15:00 from the Guesthouse. Its 2026 price list gives the Dana Village Trail as 10 JD for foreign visitors and 8 JD for residents, with reserve entry and guiding included, and lists groups of 6 to 20 people: ask at the Guesthouse what applies to a smaller party on its own. OpenStreetMap maps a free car park 245 m east of the Guesthouse.

Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.