Dana is with 320 square kms Jordan's largest nature reserve, located in south-central Jordan. The reserve consisting of wadi and mountains is featured by varied geology and wildlife. The Dana Reserve, founded in 1989, is composed of a chain of valleys and mountains which extend from the top of the Jordan Rift Valley down to the desert lowlands of Wadi Araba. Landmarks are the Rummana Mountain, the ancient archaeological ruins of Feynan, and the red and white sandstone cliffs of Wadi Dana. The reserve contains a remarkable diversity of landscapes that range from wooded highlands to rocky slopes and from gravel plains to sand dunes. Moreover, Dana supports diverse wildlife which includes a variety of rare species of plants and animals; Dana is home to about 600 species of plants, 37 species of mammals and 190 species of birds. 25 are known to be endangered, including the Sand Cat and the Syrian Wolf. 

Dana Village has been occupied since about 4000 BC. Archaeological evidence indicates that Palaeolithic, Egyptian, Nabatean, and Roman civilisations have been drawn to the area by the fertile soil, water springs, and strategic location. Since 400 years the area is inhabited from the people of the Ata'ta tribe. You can explore the beauty of the area via several hiking trails: 

1-2 Hours Hiking Trails

1.    Campsite Trail 
This trail is an easy walk around the Rummana campsite, a great place to see birds, especially during migration seasons. Along the trail you will see the scenic viewpoints offering picturesque views of the Dana Mountains, some rock structures and on your way down you will see some military sites, Old Roman Well pass thru the Jupiter forest. The hike will last for 1 hour but it depends on your personal walking pace, you will walk a distance of 1.5km. This trail is only open during March 15- October 31 from 08:00 AM -3:00 PM. This trail does not require a guide.

2.    The Cave Trail 
This is a rough trail that start at Rummana Campsite, You will walk 1.5km, for 1.5 hours of walking depending on your personal pace. Along the trail you will pass by the unusual sandstone formations of Shaq Al Kalb well known as the Wadi of the Dog and to a 27 ancient group of small caves that is used by Nabeteans and some animals. At the cave you will see the amazing view of the old Dana Village, the Shagg al Kelbe and the Wadi Dana Cave Trail is only open during March 15- October 31 from 08:00 AM -3:00 PM. This trail does not require a guide.

3.    Rummana Mountain Trail
This Trail will start at Rummana Campsite and walk the 2.5kilometer distance for 2 hours depending on your own personal pace to the summit of Rummana (Pomegrenade) Mountain, where you can see the breathtaking Wadi Araba. Along the trail you will see the stunning sandstones and limestones formations, birds of prey and the magnificent views of Dana Reserve. This trail is only during March 15- October 31 from 08:00 AM -3:00 PM and it does not require a guide.

4.    Dana Village Trail
This is a rugged trail that starts at Dana Guesthouse going to the top of Dana Village walking along the terraced gardens and local workshops at the Village. This trail give a chance to meet some locals of the village and have a glimpse on the original Ottoman houses as well as to know more about the Villagers life and the village history. This trail is open year round that starts 08:00 AM – 03:00 PM. You will be walking 2 kilometers for 1 hour – 1.5 hours depending on your walking pace and must have a guide to guide you along the trail. 

5.    Nawatef Trail
The starting point is in Dana Guesthouse but the trail begins from the Al-Barrah area to Qadissiya its end point. Along the trail you will see the magnificent mountains, springs as well as the ancient ruins at the Nawatef Area. This trail is a year round that starts at 08:00 AM – 03:00 PM. You will be walking 2 kilometers for 2 hours depending on your walking pace and a guide is required on this trail.

        
6.    Sunrise Hike
This trail starts at Feynan Ecolodge at dawn with a Bedouin local guide and climb into the mountain. You will hike 2 kilometers for 2 hours depending on your personal walking pace to the top of the ridgelines of steep hills and cliff surrounding the lodge. There are 2 different routes on this trail the Abu Khalil route (a local elder), it is more challenging route that ends on his winter and summer beits (‘homes’ in Arabic) and the second one is the Abu Mohammed (another elderly) route trail that ends on his beit. At the summit on both route trails kilometers away, you will see Bedouin villages, ancient Ruins and the Wadi Araba desert. A breathtaking view over Feynan breaks as the Sun Rises and shines upon the mountains, canyons and the surrounding desert. This is open year round but upon request and requires a guide. 

7.    Sunset Hike
This trail starts 90 minutes before sunset with a guide to a 20 minute hike to the top of the gentle outcrop to watch the breathtaking sunset. As the sun sets, it spreads picturesque ambers, violets and red colors across the canvas of the evening sky. You will have the opportunity to see the normal life of the Bedouins at their camp below. Savor the moment as the wind blows in nightfall and stars starts to spread in the sky, the guide will brew fresh mint tea over the fire. You will be walking 1.5 kilometers for 2 hours walk depending on your walking pace. This is open year round but upon request and requires a guide. 

3-4 Hours Hiking Trails

1.    White Dome Trail 
This trail starts either at Dana Guesthouse or Rummmana Campsite to walk 8 kilometers, taking 3-4 hours of walking depends on your personal walking pace. This trail route contours the huge escarpments between Wadi Dana, Rummana Camp and Dana Village. Along the trail you will pass through the terraced gardens of the villages. This is open during March 15 until 31 of October except during Ramadan and requires a guide.

2.    Feynan Plants Hike
This trail starts at Feynan Ecolodge and walk 3 kilometers, taking 2.5 hours of walking depends on your personal walking pace.  Along the trail discover the hidden uses of the plants at Dana Biosphere Reserve. You will be accompanied by a guide to explain how the Bedouins use different plants as soaps, herbs, medicines and treatments for their animals. This hike also will let you spot some of the birdlife that call Dana Reserve home, as well as the varried of geology of the Great Rift Valley unfold before your eyes. This is open year round and requires a guide. 

3.    Feynan Copper Mines
This is an easy hike that starts at Feynan Ecolodge and walk a distance of 6-7 kilometers, taking 4hours of walking depends on your personal walking pace. On this trail you will learn how huge deposits of copper was discovered, mined and processed at Feynan by ancient civilizations thousand years ago as well as the importance of the Feynan supply centre to the Roman Empire. As the trail goes deeper to the long- forgotten mine shafts and visit some nearby sites to see how copper was refined and transported, leaving huge slag formations from smelting process that are can still be seen today. This is open year round but upon request and requires a guide. 

4.    Wadi (Valley/Canyon) Dana Sampler 
This is an easy hike at Feynan Ecolodge and walk for 6-7 kilometers, taking 3-4 hours of walking depends on your personal walking pace. On this trail you will explore the lower end of the Wadi Dana. You will walk through the desert-like zone of Dana Biosphere Reserve and as you continue to hike it will gradually become greener more on more as you walk to the valley of Wadi Dana. This trail will give you the opportunity to see the groups of Bedouin families in traditional goat-tent homes, natural springs and a glimpse of some birds that call Dana Biosphere Reserve Home. The trail ends as you return to the lodge walking the same route. This is open year round but upon request and does not require a guide. 

5.    Wadi (Valley/Canyon) Ghwayr Sampler
This is an easy hike at Feynan Ecolodge and walk for 7-8 kilometers, taking 4 hours of walking depends on your personal walking pace. As you hike you will pass by the Khirbet Feynan where you will see many Byzantine and Roman ruins that are preserved. You will pass by also the Wadi Ghwayr basin. As you follow the riverside, the trail continues and pass along the Neolithic settlement which is estimated over 11,000 years old, then passing pink oleander, reads and other plants. If you have a guide he/she will explain the uses of the plants as medicines, soaps and shampoo by the locals. The trail ends as you return to the lodge walking the same route. This is not open during winter and it is only upon request as well as does not require a guide. 

6 Hours to Full Day Hiking Trails

1.    Wadi Dana Trail
This is open year round except during Ramadan and does not require a guide. This trail is 14 kilometers starting from Dana Guesthouse at 08:00 in the morning and hike for 6-7 hours depends on your personal walking pace. This trail will give you the opportunity to see the beauty of Dana Biosphere Reserve, experiencing the 4 different bio-geological zones of Dana and a glimpse to many rare forms of flora and fauna such as the Nubian Ibex. This trail leads downhill to Feynan passing through sandstone gorges. Guest may arrange transportation or may stay overnight at Feynan Ecolodge or guest can start at Feynan Ecolodge but the trail is steeper and uphill to Dana Guesthouse or Rummana Camp.  

2.    Wadi Dathneh Trail
This is open year round except during Ramadan and requires a guide. This trail is 19 kilometers that starts at 06:30 in the morning at Nawatef Area and hike for 8-10 hours depends on your personal walking pace. This trail is perfect for adventure seeker and has no fear of heights. You will pass through oasis, canyons and rocky terrain of Wadi Dathneh to Wadi al Hamra and ends at Feynan area.

3.    Wadi Ghwair Trail
This is open year round except during Ramadan and requires a guide. This trail is 16km that starts at 06:30 in the morning at Al Mansoura near Shobak Castle and hike for 7-8 hours depending on your personal walking pace.  Hike along the gravel riverbed of Wadi (Canyon/ Valley) flowing stream to the entrance to Wadi Ghwayr. This trail is similar to the famous Siq of Petra wherein it leads you through the breathtaking sceneries of different stone formations and a lot of plants as well as trees on the both sides of the river. During the hike you will have a stopover to rest and have some tea with your guide. Afterwards continue to hike to the Byzantine archeology at Khirbet Feynan until the end point of the trail in Feynan Ecolodge.