Mujib Biosphere Reserve (Wadi Mujib)

The basics

The Mujib nature reserve spans about 85 square miles (220 square kilometers) and is home to wildlife including vultures and ibex. Many travelers stop to look out at the canyon when taking the King’s Highway route between Amman and Petra—there’s a popular viewpoint north of Karak Castle. However, tours normally start from the Mujib Adventure Centre close to the Dead Sea, which is a long and circuitous drive from the viewpoint.

Most hiking trails are only open during the summer and carry a substantial charge. The top hiking option in the Mujib Biosphere Reserve is the self-guided Siq Trail, where you wade and scramble in the river through sculpted sandstone canyons. Guided routes include the Malaqi Trail and the Canyon Trail, which feature a bold waterfall descent. Thrillseekers can enjoy a short-but-sweet 330-foot (100-meter) zipline across the canyon, while the dry Ibex Trail is usually an option in the winter.

Things to know before you go

• The Mujib Biosphere Reserve is a great choice for hikers, canyoneers, nature lovers, photographers, and social media mavens.
• Life jackets are mandatory for the water trails, and included in your ticket price. You can rent dry bags and water shoes if you don’t have your own, but will need to bring a padlock to use lockers.
• There is an age requirement of at least 18 for the water trails and 16 for the dry trails.
• The Mujib Biosphere Reserve viewpoint is wheelchair accessible, but the hiking trails are not suitable for anyone with mobility challenges.

How to get there

The Muji Biosphere Reserve lies between Karak and Madaba in western Jordan, bounded by the Dead Sea. You can overlook the Mujib Biosphere Reserve and Wadi Mujib from the King’s Highway. But almost all the hiking trails, including the Siq Trail, start from the Mujib Adventure Center, by the Dead Sea; that’s also your base for the zipline. There’s no public transit, so your options are to drive there, book a driver, or join a tour.

When to get there

You can admire Wadi Mujib from the road at any time of year, but the summer season is the best time to enjoy most of the trails. The water trails are normally open between April and October, though they may open late or close early if the weather makes conditions unsafe. For the least crowded experience, plan to visit in the morning, as soon as the trails open.

Jordan’s best shorter hikes

If you’re not ready to tackle the 420-mile (675-kilometer) Jordan Trail, which runs the length of the country, Jordan’s rugged landscapes still yield some epic hikes. The country’s signature walk is the Siq at Petra, a mellow canyon stroll that culminates in an extraordinary reveal—this is the canyon Indiana Jones gallops down during Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. The mountain hike between Little Petra and Petra proper is also mesmerizing. If the Siq Trail has whetted your appetite for river gorge hikes, Wadi al Hassa is a wonderful wet-and-wild adventure.