Dana to Petra Jordan Trail Guide: Route, Stages & Planning

Information checked: 22 July 2026

The Dana to Petra hike is Region 6 of the Jordan Trail, running for 72.4 km across four official stages. The route descends from Dana through Wadi Dana and the Feynan area, then crosses remote mountain and desert terrain to Little Petra before entering Petra. The Jordan Trail Association currently lists 2,825 m of total ascent and 3,027 m of descent, so this is a demanding multi-day trek rather than a casual extension to a Petra visit.

This guide explains the four stages, difficulty, water, navigation, camping, transport and Petra entry planning. For the complete north-to-south route, start with the Jordan Trail guide. The regional route follows the official Dana to Petra section published by the Jordan Trail Association.

Dana to Petra hike: quick facts

• Official region: Jordan Trail Region 6
• Route: Dana to Petra via Wadi Malaga, Ras Al-Feid and Little Petra
• Distance: 72.4 km
• Official itinerary: Four hiking days
• Total ascent: 2,825 m
• Total descent: 3,027 m
• Highest point: 1,236 m
• Lowest point: 221 m
• Difficulty: Difficult overall, with long stages, steep terrain, limited water and remote sections
• Navigation: Current offline GPS data and route planning are essential

These figures describe the official four-stage route as published on the verification date. They do not include access transfers, detours, exploration inside Petra, delays or alternative camping arrangements. Route data can change, so compare your plan with the current Jordan Trail maps and GPS resources before departure.

Is Dana to Petra suitable for you?

Dana to Petra suits hikers who can manage consecutive days of rough ground, sustained climbing and descending, long distances and remote camping. Experience with offline navigation, desert conditions and water management matters. The route is not consistently waymarked, and mobile coverage may be absent for extended periods.

The first three stages are the main physical and logistical test. The final Little Petra to Petra stage is shorter, but it enters an archaeological site where tickets, opening arrangements and sufficient time inside Petra must be considered. Travelers who want shorter or less remote walks should compare the broader hiking trails in Jordan guide rather than assuming this route is suitable for a first multi-day hike.

The four Dana to Petra stages

Day 1: Dana to Wadi Malaga

Official distance: 22 km
Estimated walking time: 6–8 hours
Official difficulty: Difficult

The route begins in Dana and descends through the sandstone landscape of Wadi Dana toward Feynan. The scenery changes noticeably as the trail loses elevation, moving from the high village and reserve landscape toward the drier Wadi Araba side. The stage then continues beyond the Feynan area toward the Wadi Malaga camping zone.

Loose rock, gravel, heat exposure and limited shade make the descent more tiring than the direction suggests. The Jordan Trail Association states that there is no water at the Wadi Malaga wild campsite, so water and overnight support must be arranged before leaving. Contact Dana Biosphere Reserve management about current access requirements and fees before entering the reserve. The Dana Biosphere Reserve listing provides a useful starting point for reserve contact and location information.

Day 2: Wadi Malaga to Ras Al-Feid

Official distance: 14.9 km
Estimated walking time: 5–7 hours
Official difficulty: Challenging

This stage crosses open terrain before climbing an old mountain route toward Ras Naqb Shdeid and Wadi Feid. The ascent includes steep switchbacks and exposed sections, with broad views toward Wadi Araba. The landscape later narrows around the spring-fed wadi and sandstone formations.

The official trail information identifies Wadi Feid as the final reliable water source before Little Petra, a further long stage away. Conditions at natural sources can change, and untreated water may be unsafe. Confirm the current situation locally, carry an adequate reserve and use an appropriate purification method. Do not build the plan around an unverified spring.

Day 3: Ras Al-Feid to Little Petra

Official distance: 22.8 km
Estimated walking time: 6–8 hours
Official difficulty: Challenging

The third day crosses rocky sandstone terrain and remote desert landscapes before signs of Bedouin camps, agricultural plots and settlement increase near Little Petra. The approach enters a sandstone canyon and reaches the Beidha and Little Petra area.

This is a long day with limited dependable water. The official stage guidance advises starting early and carrying sufficient water. Some seasonal or local sources may be dry and any natural water needs treatment. The area around Ras Al-Feid is generally reached by four-wheel-drive vehicle rather than public transport, which makes a clear support and emergency plan important.

Day 4: Little Petra to Petra

Official distance: 12.6 km
Estimated walking time: 3–4 hours
Official difficulty: Easier than the previous three stages

The final stage follows the back route from Little Petra through sandstone mountains toward the Monastery. From there, the route continues through Petra before leaving through the Siq toward Wadi Musa. The distance is shorter, but the walking day can become much longer if you explore the archaeological site rather than continuing directly to the exit.

Petra requires a valid entry ticket. The Jordan Trail Association currently states that tickets can be purchased at a new ticket office serving the Little Petra approach, but ticket arrangements, operating times and entry conditions can change. Confirm them shortly before the hike and use the Petra travel guide to plan the visit beyond the trail itself.

Water and food planning

Water is the most important logistical constraint on Dana to Petra. Do not treat springs, shepherds’ sources, camps or old route notes as guaranteed supplies. Confirm each planned source, calculate water for the walking day and campsite, and carry additional capacity for heat or delays. Support vehicles or pre-arranged water drops may be necessary depending on the itinerary.

Food availability is also uneven. Dana, Feynan, camps near Little Petra and Wadi Musa may provide meals when booked in advance, but remote camps should not be assumed to sell food. Confirm what an operator or camp supplies, including drinking water, trail lunches, breakfast, dietary needs and cooking arrangements.

Camping and accommodation

The route combines possible stays near Dana or Feynan with remote camps and accommodation around Little Petra and Wadi Musa. The exact pattern depends on whether the hike is self-supported, guided or vehicle-supported. Availability and camp locations can change, and wild camping requires responsible site selection, adequate water and a plan for all waste.

Ask a provider to specify each overnight location rather than accepting a vague “camping included” description. Confirm tents, sleeping equipment, meals, toilets, luggage transfer, water, vehicle access and the procedure if weather or fitness forces an early exit.

Navigation, guides and support

The Jordan Trail Association recommends hiring a local guide because parts of the route are remote, have limited water and may have no connectivity. Download the current official track before departure, keep it available offline on more than one device, carry backup power and share the route and expected arrival points with a reliable contact.

A guide alone does not settle every logistical issue. Before booking, ask who provides transport, water drops, camping equipment, meals, emergency communication and luggage support. Confirm the guide’s experience on the Dana to Petra route and the provider’s cancellation, insurance and evacuation arrangements.

WowJordan is an independent tourism directory and does not operate this hike. Travelers can contact providers directly and compare their services. The Experience Jordan Adventures listing is one relevant provider path; verify the current itinerary, price, dates, inclusions and credentials with the company before booking.

Transport to Dana and from Petra

Public transport does not connect all trailheads, camps and exit points conveniently. Dana is commonly reached by pre-arranged transfer, taxi or provider transport. Remote mid-route access can require a four-wheel-drive vehicle. At the southern end, Little Petra and Petra need separate transport planning if you are not continuing on foot through the site to Wadi Musa.

Book the start transfer and final pickup before the hike. Share exact meeting points rather than destination names alone, because Dana village, Feynan, Little Petra, the Petra Visitor Centre and Wadi Musa are different locations.

Best time for Dana to Petra

Spring and autumn generally provide the most practical conditions, but temperature, wind and rainfall vary with elevation and exposure. Summer heat can make remote stages dangerous. Winter can bring cold nights, rain and hazardous conditions in wadis.

Check the forecast for Dana, the Wadi Araba side and Petra, not just one destination. Rain upstream can affect lower terrain even when conditions at the start appear clear. Change or postpone the route when official advice, flooding risk or extreme heat makes the plan unsafe.

What to carry

• Current offline GPS route and a navigation backup
• Enough water capacity for the longest unsupported stage and camp
• Sun protection, layers for changing elevation and a waterproof layer when rain is possible
• Supportive footwear suitable for loose rock, gravel and sandstone
• Headlamp, power bank and protected emergency power
• First-aid supplies and personal medication
• Emergency contact information and a shared route plan
• Petra ticket or current proof of entry arrangements
• Waste bags and reusable food and water containers

Continue along the Jordan Trail

Dana to Petra is preceded by the Al-Karak to Dana section. From Petra, the long-distance route continues through remote southern terrain on the Petra to Wadi Rum section.

Plan the next step: Confirm the current route and GPS data with the Jordan Trail Association, then compare qualified providers for guiding, transfers, water, camps and luggage support before committing to dates.

Frequently asked questions