Wadi Dana Trail: from Dana village down to Feynan

Start at the Dana Guesthouse (RSCN) on the rim of Dana (ضانا) and follow the village lane to where the Dana trail leaves it as a track. The track drops steeply along the side of Wadi Dana, with the sandstone walls of the reserve across the gorge, then becomes a path that follows the wadi down through the reserve, past Bedouin camps, to the desert end of Wadi Araba. RSCN says it crosses four bio-geological zones and that you may meet Bedouin herders on the way and see Nubian ibex. The path ends at Feynan Ecolodge (فينان), at 330 m.

It is 13.5 km one way with 896 m of descent and almost no climbing; allow 5 to 6 hours, the lodge's figure for walking from Dana (RSCN gives 5 to 7 hours). The grade is Moderate: clear paths and tracks, steep and loose at first (the first 3.5 km drop nearly 500 m), then gentle for the long lower valley.

RSCN starts the trail at 08:00 from the Guesthouse; start early, because the lower valley is 900 m lower than Dana and much hotter, with little shade for long stretches, and carry plenty of water. The trail follows a wadi that floods after rain: do not set off when rain is forecast in the mountains above.

The walk is one way. It ends at Feynan Ecolodge, 8 km of unpaved track from the nearest paved road, and the lodge says transport back to Dana is provided by local Bedouin in their own pickups, each holding up to four passengers. Its pages give no price for that run and speak of guests, so arrange it with the lodge before you set out. RSCN lists the trail as open all year, guided or self-guided, for groups of 10 to 20 people; its 2026 price list gives 20 JD for foreign visitors and 17 JD for residents, with reserve entry and guiding included.

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.