Jordan

Description

Jordan, Wadi Rum

If it weren't for the port of Aqaba on its southern tip, the Middle-Eastern Kingdom of Jordan would be landlocked. It is surrounded by Israel and the West Bank, Syria, Iraq and Saudi Arabia. Most of Jordan lies on a plateau at an altitude of over 700 m, with some mountain ridges and large expanses of sandy desert and salt flats. On the western edge of this plateau is one of the country's most distinctive geographical features: the Jordan Valley, known locally as Al Ghawr. Coming from the north, the River Jordan runs to the Dead Sea at 400 m below sea level, and marks Jordan's border with Israel and the West Bank. Jordan's climate is Mediterranean, but as you travel eastwards inland summers get hotter and winters more harsh with ever less rainfall. Highest mountain is Jebel Umm al Dami (1854 m) in the far south.

Although a largely arid desert country, Jordan has some interesting hiking options. There is the large and diverse Dana Biosphere Reserve along the face of the Great (Jordan) Rift Valley, the Mujib Nature Reserve with its rugged mountains bordering the Dead Sea, or the lush Ajloun Forest Reserve in the highlands north of the capital Amman. To get an idea, take a look at the nice website of the Royal Society for Conservation of Nature (RSCN) featuring the nature reserves, their hiking trails, lodging, campsites etc. In some reserves hiring a guide is compulsory.

If you are in for hiking through a truly dramatic desert wilderness, head south for the protected area of Wadi Rum, a landscape of huge sandstone mountains, deep canyons and granite outcrops like Jebel Rum.

Nowhere as remote, but historically interesting is the Petra Archeological Park, which offers some short day-hikes in the area surrounding the ancient Nabatean city of Petra. If you start out early, you can hike up the nearby Jebel Haroun (1350 m).

Finally there are the countless "wadi's", valleys with a dry riverbed or with an intermittent stream, making for some beautiful hiking, often through canyons past waterfalls and ponds. When hiking through wadi's, or even in the desert, do beware of flash floods which may occur after rain. Always protect yourself from the sun, wear a hat, and carry plenty of drinking water.

Trails

Regions

Mountains

Books

Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Walking Palestine: 25 Journeys Into the West Bank
  • Walk the plains and hills of Burqin, Jenin and Zebabde; experience the the cool springs of al-Bidaan; explore the tides of empire at charming Sebastia; indulge in Palestinian food, beer and hospitality in Taybeh and Birzeit; wander about in Palestine’s most colourful wadis around Aboud; descend through spectacular wadis towards the lows of the... Read more
Bol.com
Netherlands
  • Syria, the Desert and the Sown
  • Gertrude Bell's 1907 work Syria, The Desert and the Sown is travel literature of the highest order. She wanted to tell the stories of the people she met on her tremendous adventure through an often-misunderstood land. She found the inhabitants of Syria diverse and incredibly accepting of such diversity. One man could walk down the street... Read more
  • Also available from:
  • Bol.com, Belgium
» Click to open
Bol.com
Belgium
  • Syria, the Desert and the Sown
  • Gertrude Bell's 1907 work Syria, The Desert and the Sown is travel literature of the highest order. She wanted to tell the stories of the people she met on her tremendous adventure through an often-misunderstood land. She found the inhabitants of Syria diverse and incredibly accepting of such diversity. One man could walk down the street... Read more
» Click to close
Bol.com
Netherlands
  • Alun Evans' Golf Majors Book, 2016
  • THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE SOURCE OF INFORMATION IN PRINT ON THE MAJOR CHAMPIONSHIPS OF GOLF Alun Evans' exceptional series - now an annual - on the Major Championships, Golf's greatest prizes, progresses into 2016, and, among its many facets across almost 400 tightly-packed pages, looks back in detail on the events of 2015. In hindsight, 2015 may... Read more
  • Also available from:
  • Bol.com, Belgium
» Click to open
Bol.com
Belgium
  • Alun Evans' Golf Majors Book, 2016
  • THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE SOURCE OF INFORMATION IN PRINT ON THE MAJOR CHAMPIONSHIPS OF GOLF Alun Evans' exceptional series - now an annual - on the Major Championships, Golf's greatest prizes, progresses into 2016, and, among its many facets across almost 400 tightly-packed pages, looks back in detail on the events of 2015. In hindsight, 2015 may... Read more
» Click to close
Bol.com
Netherlands
  • Jordan
  • - the dirt on the best archaeological sites, plus background information on Jordan - helpful, user-friendly Arabic language chapter - comprehensive coverage of the ancient city of Petra - the lowdown on outdoor activities, including hiking, rock climbing and swimming in the Dead Sea Read more
  • Also available from:
  • Bol.com, Belgium
» Click to open
Bol.com
Belgium
  • Jordan
  • - the dirt on the best archaeological sites, plus background information on Jordan - helpful, user-friendly Arabic language chapter - comprehensive coverage of the ancient city of Petra - the lowdown on outdoor activities, including hiking, rock climbing and swimming in the Dead Sea Read more
» Click to close
Bol.com
Netherlands
  • The Fight for Maglev
  • The Fight for Maglev tells how Maglev, the first new transport mode since the airplane, will soon transform transportation in America and the World. 300 mph magnetically levitated and propelled vehicles have no engine, do not burn oil, do not emit pollutants and greenhouse gases, and are very quiet and comfortable. They carry passengers,... Read more
  • Also available from:
  • Bol.com, Belgium
» Click to open
Bol.com
Belgium
  • The Fight for Maglev
  • The Fight for Maglev tells how Maglev, the first new transport mode since the airplane, will soon transform transportation in America and the World. 300 mph magnetically levitated and propelled vehicles have no engine, do not burn oil, do not emit pollutants and greenhouse gases, and are very quiet and comfortable. They carry passengers,... Read more
» Click to close
De Zwerver
Netherlands
2016
  • Reisgids Handbook Jordan handbook (Jordanië) | Footprint
  • Vrij dunne, maar redelijk complete reisgids over de belangrijkste plekken van Jordanië. Vol met ook praktische informatie. Handig voor als je je beperkt to de wat meer bekende hoogtepunten. Klein en met veel woestijn - maar ook ontzettend veel te ontdekken geheimen; Jordanië is een land waar je van de ene verbazing in de andere kunt vallen. Van... Read more
Bol.com
Netherlands
  • A Crack in the Earth
  • The Jordan Rift Valley, stretching from the Red Sea to Lebanon, was ripped open millions of years ago by vast forces within the earth. This geological object has also been a part of human history ever since early humans used it as a path in their journey out of Africa. And for a quarter of a century it has been part of the biography of Israeli... Read more
  • Also available from:
  • Bol.com, Belgium
» Click to open
Bol.com
Belgium
  • A Crack in the Earth
  • The Jordan Rift Valley, stretching from the Red Sea to Lebanon, was ripped open millions of years ago by vast forces within the earth. This geological object has also been a part of human history ever since early humans used it as a path in their journey out of Africa. And for a quarter of a century it has been part of the biography of Israeli... Read more
» Click to close
Bol.com
Netherlands
2016
  • Rough Guide - Jordan
  • The Rough Guide to Jordan is the definitive guide to the most alluring corner of the Middle East. Detailed accounts of every attraction, along with crystal-clear maps and plans, lift the lid on this fascinatingly diverse country.Explore the world wonder that is Petra, an ancient city carved from rose-red mountain cliffs. Roam the sands of Wadi... Read more
  • Also available from:
  • Bol.com, Belgium
» Click to open
Bol.com
Belgium
2016
  • Rough Guide - Jordan
  • The Rough Guide to Jordan is the definitive guide to the most alluring corner of the Middle East. Detailed accounts of every attraction, along with crystal-clear maps and plans, lift the lid on this fascinatingly diverse country.Explore the world wonder that is Petra, an ancient city carved from rose-red mountain cliffs. Roam the sands of Wadi... Read more
» Click to close
Bol.com
Netherlands
  • Zoologos Con Abreviatura de Autor
  • Fuente: Wikipedia. Paginas: 209. Capitulos: Jean-Baptiste Lamarck, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Carlos Linneo, Vladimir Nabokov, Ernst Haeckel, Georg Forster, Ernst Mayr, Richard Owen, August David Krohn, Francisco Mago Leccia, Louis Agassiz, Marcos Jimenez de la Espada, Pellegrino Strobel, Thomas Henry Huxley, Juan Gundlach, Carlos German... Read more
  • Also available from:
  • Bol.com, Belgium
» Click to open
Bol.com
Belgium
  • Zoologos Con Abreviatura de Autor
  • Fuente: Wikipedia. Paginas: 209. Capitulos: Jean-Baptiste Lamarck, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Carlos Linneo, Vladimir Nabokov, Ernst Haeckel, Georg Forster, Ernst Mayr, Richard Owen, August David Krohn, Francisco Mago Leccia, Louis Agassiz, Marcos Jimenez de la Espada, Pellegrino Strobel, Thomas Henry Huxley, Juan Gundlach, Carlos German... Read more
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Bol.com
Netherlands
  • Hiking in Jordan
  • Plan your next holiday with Hiking in Jordan.With this detailed guide, you save valuable time when you plan your hiking adventure in Jordan. Over a period of three years, the authors have described in detail over 400 km (248 miles) of astonishing hiking trails and walks in amazing landscapes.Most trails can be completed in 4-6 hours as day... Read more
  • Also available from:
  • Bol.com, Belgium
» Click to open
Bol.com
Belgium
  • Hiking in Jordan
  • Plan your next holiday with Hiking in Jordan.With this detailed guide, you save valuable time when you plan your hiking adventure in Jordan. Over a period of three years, the authors have described in detail over 400 km (248 miles) of astonishing hiking trails and walks in amazing landscapes.Most trails can be completed in 4-6 hours as day... Read more
» Click to close
Bol.com
Netherlands
  • Jordan Guide
  • Marco Polo Jordan: the Travel Guide with Insider Tips! Most travellers want to have fun and feel relaxed from the moment they arrive at their holiday destination - that's what Marco Polo Guides are all about. This new series will appeal to all types of travellers, including those who haven't bought a travel guide in the past! Marco Polo's... Read more
  • Also available from:
  • Bol.com, Belgium
» Click to open
Bol.com
Belgium
  • Jordan Guide
  • Marco Polo Jordan: the Travel Guide with Insider Tips! Most travellers want to have fun and feel relaxed from the moment they arrive at their holiday destination - that's what Marco Polo Guides are all about. This new series will appeal to all types of travellers, including those who haven't bought a travel guide in the past! Marco Polo's... Read more
» Click to close
Bol.com
Netherlands
  • Lonely Planet Jordan
  • - the dirt on the best archaeological sites, plus background information on Jordan - helpful, user-friendly Arabic language chapter - comprehensive coverage of the ancient city of Petra - the lowdown on outdoor activities, including hiking, rock climbing and swimming in the Dead Sea Read more
  • Also available from:
  • Bol.com, Belgium
» Click to open
Bol.com
Belgium
  • Lonely Planet Jordan
  • - the dirt on the best archaeological sites, plus background information on Jordan - helpful, user-friendly Arabic language chapter - comprehensive coverage of the ancient city of Petra - the lowdown on outdoor activities, including hiking, rock climbing and swimming in the Dead Sea Read more
» Click to close
Bol.com
Netherlands
  • Dirk Nowitzki
  • What do Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Karl Malone, Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, and Wilt Chamberlain have in common? They are all basketball legends, and the only five NBA players ranked higher on the all-time points list than Dirk Nowitzki. The giant man from Unterfranken is the only non-American in this elite group. And then came March 7th, 2017: in... Read more
  • Also available from:
  • Bol.com, Belgium
» Click to open
Bol.com
Belgium
  • Dirk Nowitzki
  • What do Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Karl Malone, Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, and Wilt Chamberlain have in common? They are all basketball legends, and the only five NBA players ranked higher on the all-time points list than Dirk Nowitzki. The giant man from Unterfranken is the only non-American in this elite group. And then came March 7th, 2017: in... Read more
» Click to close
Bol.com
Netherlands
  • Jord of the Jungle
  • “Jord of the Jungle is the real-life tale of a lifelong city boy who wound up living in the biggest, densest rainforest in the world.Jordan Flagel, a former dual-sport collegiate athlete, had just finished his lone season of international football and was looking to make a change. He wanted to use his hard-earned degree in environmental... Read more
  • Also available from:
  • Bol.com, Belgium
» Click to open
Bol.com
Belgium
  • Jord of the Jungle
  • “Jord of the Jungle is the real-life tale of a lifelong city boy who wound up living in the biggest, densest rainforest in the world.Jordan Flagel, a former dual-sport collegiate athlete, had just finished his lone season of international football and was looking to make a change. He wanted to use his hard-earned degree in environmental... Read more
» Click to close
More books…

Maps

Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • St. Catherines
  • Double-sided, indexed street plan of St. Catherines, including Beamsville, Dunnville, Fonthill, Lincoln, Jordan, Port Colborne, Thorold, Smithville, Vineland, and Welland.Street plans from the MapArt / Canadian Cartographics Corporation / JDM Géo publishing group are usually produced at scales around 1:25,000 to 1:35,000 with smaller towns... Read more
De Zwerver
Netherlands
2010
More maps…

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