You don’t need to be an athlete to hike or cycle in Jordan. It depends on the trip: our day hikes suit anyone who walks regularly, our hiking holidays need you to be comfortable walking 10 km or more a day for a week, and our multi-day treks and cycling tours need good, regular fitness. If climbs worry you, an e-bike makes cycling far easier.

Below, our trips are grouped by how demanding they are, using the distances and times from our own itineraries.

Easy to moderate: day hikes and cultural tours

If you walk regularly at home, you can enjoy these:

Jordan Trail: Umm Qais hike and lunch with a local family: 8 km, 3 to 4 hours
Swim and hike in Wadi Hidan: 5 km, 3 to 4 hours of walking and swimming through a canyon
As-Salt city tour and Jerash, Ajloun and lunch with a local family: walking around historic sites at an easy pace
Experience Jordan Tour (8 days): easy walking and sightseeing, including Petra, Wadi Rum and the Dead Sea.

Petra itself involves a lot of walking on uneven ground, so comfortable shoes matter on any trip.

Moderate to slightly above: hiking holidays

Jordan Hiking Adventure (8 days): rated slightly above moderate. You should be comfortable walking 10 km or more a day for a week, on varied terrain with steep but short climbs and descents. The guide sets a pace that works for the whole group.

Good fitness: multi-day treks

Dana to Petra Trek (9 days): five days of trekking in a row, 14 to 17+ km a day, 5 to 7 hours of walking, on firm ground mixed with loose stones and gravel. You should be reasonably fit to enjoy it. Your luggage is carried for you, and a local guide with a donkey supports the first days.
Petra to Wadi Rum Trek (6 days): a remote desert section of the Jordan Trail for experienced walkers.

Cycling: moderate to challenging, or easier by e-bike

Cycle Jordan (8 days): rated slightly above moderate. You should be comfortable riding about 50 km a day for several days in a row; the hardest day climbs about 1,000 m over 50 km. The group averages about 9 km/h including stops.
Jordan Active Adventure (8 days): a challenging hike-and-bike trip with two rides of about 50 km on dirt jeep tracks, plus moderate hikes with a little scrambling.
On an e-bike, the same routes become much more manageable. See E-biking in Jordan.

How to prepare

For hiking: in the weeks before your trip, walk on back-to-back days and include some hills, building up towards the daily distance of your tour.
For cycling: ride several days in a row, working up towards the daily distances and including some climbs.
Shoes: lightweight hiking shoes work best for most of our hikes. Poles are optional but help on loose, steep ground.
Heat: most trails have little shade, so bring a hat, sun protection and a refillable water bottle.

Frequently asked questions

Is hiking in Jordan hard?

It ranges from easy 3-hour day hikes to five-day treks of 14 to 17 km a day. Choose the trip that matches how much you walk now.

Can I hike Petra if I’m not very fit?

Yes, you can absolutely experience Petra even if you are not very fit. The archaeological park covers vast, rugged terrain, but its iconic highlights are surprisingly accessible. You don’t need to climb mountains to see the best parts: choose your route carefully, pace yourself, and plan for a lot of walking on mostly flat ground. You can also take a golf cart from the Visitor Center, one way or both ways, to cover the main trail.

I’m not sure which trip suits me. Can you help?

Yes. Contact us before booking and tell us how active you are. We can also adapt a private tour to your pace.