Hiking in Wadi Ghuweir, Jordan – The wadi that is known as the most beautiful wadi of Jordan

Since a couple of years, I have hiked several wadis in Jordan and Oman and I confess honestly, I am big fan! Now I went back to Jordan and went hiking in a wadi again, of course. I had the chance to hike the wadi known as the most beautiful wadi in Jordan. Hiking in the Wadi Ghuweir – which is located near the town of Dana and in the Dana Biosphere Reserve. When I was there before, I walked several shorter walks there. These were easier to achieve alone, without a long taxi there and back.

When I went back to Jordan in October 2023 with a group of nice ladies, we decided to explore this most beautiful wadi in Jordan, we went hiking in the wadi Ghuweir.

At the start of the hike, we read on the sign Wadi Al Ghuwayr (An Nakhil) hiking trail. Looking up An Nakhil, I read that Nakhil is Arabic for palm tree. Above, of course, I already shared that beautiful spot right away. To be seen in the narrow Sig of the Wadi Ghuweir through which we walk. Beautiful large palm trees on the wall and also called hanging gardens.

Hiking in the Wadi Ghuweir
the wadi known as Jordan’s most beautiful wadi

Hiking in the Wadi Ghuweir

The first part of the walk we walk slowly into the wadi. It is still a wide dry bed with walls of sand beside us. The further we walk, the higher the walls get and the narrower the gorge becomes. It is therefore called the Sig. Like at Petra, at one point you walk between enormously high walls and the passage is becoming narrow.

After this, we walk on and when we come to a huge rock in the Sig we decide to climb on it to take a nice group photo. With the help of the guide, we manage to get on it. He takes the photo and then helps us off again 🙂 Of course, you can make the hike as adventurous as you like. The rest of the hike also involves scrambling here and there, I love it! In some places, there are some iron stair parts made in the rocks. You can easily use these as stairs which is sometimes really necessary.

The wadi known as Jordan’s most beautiful wadi

Hanging gardens / Palmtrees in the Wadi Ghuweir

In that narrow Sig by the palm trees, we take a short break. Drink some water and refuel. It has become quite warm by now and there is only a slight breeze, which cools us down a bit. We enjoy the view and take several photos of the palm trees towering high above us. It really gives the whole thing a great view. I walked through the wadi Bin Hammad years ago and there I also saw the hanging gardens but I did not see whole palm trees growing from the wall.

Hiking in the Wadi Ghuweir, Jordan

Wet feet in the Wadi Ghuweir

Know that with hiking in the Wadi Ghuweir, you won’t keep your shoes dry. So bring an extra pair of shoes or water shoes. Or as I am wearing in the wadis from now on, a pair of fine barefoot shoes that dry quickly but also walk nicely.

Halfway through the walk, I exchanged my regular trainers for the barefoot trainers. I can walk well on them and they dry quickly, the ideal water shoe. It did take a long time to find them but when colleague and travel companion Nicole pointed them out to me, I was sold. I had been looking at barefoot shoes for some time and these were on sale and for 49.95 I could try them on in Wadi Ghuweir.

Swimming in the Wadi Ghuweir

After walking and scrambling for some time, we arrive at a kind of pool among the rocks. The guide of the couple ahead of us is nice and active with his customers and has persuaded them to go for a swim. He also persuades us to get into the water. It cools us down. And you’ll get wet anyway, so that’s not a problem, and with the sun shining brightly you’ll be dry in no time!

After this, we walk through an ever-widening wadi. Alternately, we walk in a shallow stream or on the stone bottom of the river. In the rainy season, starting from late October, the place can fill up with water. So the wadi will be closed for parts of the winter period, as will Wadi Mujib. But now, in early October, it is lovely to walk there!

Then, after a few hours of walking almost out of the wadi, the guide decides he will make us a nice lunch. We find a spot in the shade along the stream and can already look back on a wonderful hike. Wood is gathered by some of our group and the guide cuts potatoes and vegetables. Partly boiled and later stir-fried, some herbs added and a little later we eat a delicious wrap with a vegetable mix in it.

After this, it is another hour of walking along and through the shallow river.

At the end, at the place where we are picked up again by the taxi, we can buy one delicious cool coca cola. We deserved those after 5 hours of walking, climbing and scrambling!

The wadi known as Jordan’s most beautiful wadi

Wadi Ghuweir Jordan’s most beautiful wadi?

I really loved the hike in the wadi Ghuweir! Whether I also think it’s the most beautiful wadi in Jordan I don’t know…. I also think the wadi Mujib is a really great adventure hike. But since this one is very short and also consists a lot of swimming you can’t really compare. But I previously called the Wadi Mujib the most beautiful wadi in Jordan and I still stand by that as you have more adventure experience in a shorter time.

Distance and duration Wadi Ghuweir

• 15 km / 5 hours

I read on many websites that the distance of hiking in the wadi ghuweir 17 km is but our counters indicate that we walked 15 km at most. It took us a total of 5 hours but then you have to include breaks. So I estimate that 15 is more accurate than the 17 km I read everywhere. This is because you can’t walk through and have a number of climbing and scrambling moments where you stop briefly in this most beautiful wadi in Jordan.

Where to start/end the Wadi Ghuweir

We saw different walking directions. We walked a lot in the morning in the shade of the rock walls around us. This made it not too hot so quickly, of course, and very nice to start on this side. Towards the end of the hike, it got wider and wider and therefore sunnier and warmer. If you start the other way round then you start with the morning sun in your face but end as it gets warmer in the shade, between the high rocks.

It is a long drive to the start of the trail, almost an hour (Wadi Ghuweir parking GPS), or to the end, 1,5 hour (Ghwayr Neolithic Settlement GPS).

Stay in or near Dana Biosphere Reserve

We stayed at Al Nawatef Eco Camp, a super beautiful spot in the Dana Biosphere Reserve.

During my first visit, I stayed in the village of Dana itself. Then I ate at Dana Tower Hotel and would have loved to stay there but I then booked my night at the super impersonal Wadi Dana Logde. For large groups, it is a fine hotel but if you are travelling alone or in a small group, I cannot recommend it.

Arranging your Wadi Ghuweir trail

If you book your trip at Al Nawatef Camp or the Wadi Dana Logde you will be a lot more expensive. They charge hefty prices and don’t give you much choice is my experience. What I recommend is that you can book your trip at the Dana Tower Hotel. Twice now, I have arranged my walks with Ahmad who sits the small supermarket next to Dana Tower Hotel. Ahmad can arrange everything for you and there is still some bargaining with him. Also, there is a bit more chance there that you could join another group or book together.

Will you also put this walk on your list?
Then save this blog for later!

Want to read more about travelling in Jordan?

Tips for your visit to the historical city of Madaba

Best hiking trail in Dana Biosphere Reserve

Visit the historical city Petra (2 day itinerary)

Visit As-Salt – Former capital of Jordan

Ruins of Jerash – Once a prosperous Roman city

And make sure that when you visit the Wadi Rum you also book this trainride into the past

The 1916 train journey in the Wadi Rum, Jordan – Journey through 1916 – The story of the Arab Revolt

I hope you enjoy this beautiful world as much as I do