Wadi Bin Hammad hot-spring canyon

Wadi Bin Hammad (وادي ابن حماد) cuts down from the Karak plateau towards the Dead Sea through a narrow canyon fed by hot springs. From the road end by the springs and the old bathing place, walk down the stream bed into the canyon. The walls close in quickly, hung with palms, ferns and dripping moss, and the warm water runs ankle-deep over pebbles and smooth rock. Turn back after about a kilometre, before a drop where a rope is needed, and return the same way.

It is 2.2 km there and back with 34 m of ascent; allow about half an hour, or longer to linger in the warm pools. The grade is Easy: the whole walk is in shallow water, with slippery rock in places. Wear shoes you can get wet.

There is no ranger, fee or warning system here. Never go in when rain is forecast anywhere upstream on the plateau, and leave at once if the water rises or turns muddy. The canyon is shaded, but the drive down is hot: carry water.

The springs are a favourite with local families, so dress modestly. The narrow road down from Rakin, just north of Karak, ends at the springs, where cars park beside it.

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.