Walking in Petra: Routes, Stairs and Timing
Advisory as of October 2026. The 2026 conflict involving Iran has disrupted commercial flights across the region, and the US State Department currently marks Jordan Level 3 (“Reconsider Travel”), with Level 4 (“Do Not Travel”) along the Syrian and Iraqi borders and in a handful of named districts. The UK FCDO is narrower: it advises against travel only within 3 km of the Syrian border and carries no warning for Petra or Wadi Musa. Both places are open and running, yet flights may be cancelled or rerouted and advice can change without notice. Check the UK FCDO page and the US State Department page before booking, and once more before departure.
On foot is the standard way to see Petra, and a guide is a convenience, not a requirement. This summary lists each route with its effort level. Fees are in Jordanian dinars (JD).
| Route | Effort | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Main Trail, Visitor Center to Qasr al-Bint | Flat to gently downhill | 4 to 6 hours return |
| Monastery stairs | Strenuous | 45 to 60 minutes up |
| High Place of Sacrifice and Wadi Farasa | Moderate to strenuous | Climb starts opposite the Theatre |
| Al-Khubtha ridge | Hard | 4 hours or more |
| Khurmah Trail | Long hike | 14 km, outside the park |
The Main Trail
Most visitors cover the roughly 4 km from the Visitor Center to Qasr al-Bint in one direction, passing the Siq, the Treasury and the Royal Tombs. The ground is flat or slightly downhill, which means the tiring part is coming back. A licensed guide for this trail is 50 JD.
Up to the Monastery
The stairs begin near the Basin area and number 800 to 850. Start in the cool of the morning. A guide covering the Main Trail and the Monastery is 100 JD. Welfare groups have documented overloading of working animals in Petra, so walk rather than ride.
The High Place and Wadi Farasa
Start opposite the Theatre and climb to the summit altar, where two obelisks stand. Come down past the Lion Monument and the Garden Tomb into Wadi Farasa. A guide for the Main Trail and the High Place is 100 JD. Late-afternoon light is good here, but you must be out through the gate before closing.
Al-Khubtha
A ridge path above the Royal Tombs ends at a Bedouin tent that looks down on the Treasury. It is a hard route. The guided version costs 50 JD, and viewpoints opposite the Treasury have a listed charge of 15 JD a person. Tea or a tip of about 2 to 5 JD is customary at the tent.
The back door from Little Petra
This route links Little Petra and the Monastery by way of the Nabatean Cultural Village. Some stretches are unmarked, and a guide is sensible. The Little Petra office checks your Petra ticket.
The Khurmah Trail
Opened in February 2025 among 24 trails outside the park, the Khurmah Trail covers 14 km from Al-Rajef to Masoudah. Hikers book it with local operators. See the Jordan Times report .
Wadi Musa on foot
Tourism Street has bakeries and shops selling falafel and shawarma, with no entry charge. It makes a light stroll before or after the park.
Staying safe
- Water: bring 2 to 3 litres in summer and favour bottled or filtered supplies.
- Heat: June to August is hot, often 35 to 40 C or more, and shadeless. Spring and autumn are the better seasons.
- Closing time: the park shuts between 4:00 and 6:00 pm depending on the season. Visitors have been locked in overnight, so plan to be back early.
- Rain: the Siq is a drainage channel. Stay out of it in or after heavy rain.
For guided options, try GetYourGuide walking tours in Wadi Musa . Read more: attraction tours in Petra and romantic plans .