SECTION 401: WADI ZARQA MA’IN TO WADI HIDAN
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HIKES IN THE REGION
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DAY 1: WADI ZARQA MA’IN TO WADI HIDAN
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Distance: 17.2 km
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Time: 6 hours
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Physical Challenge: Difficult
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Trail Challenge: Difficult
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Waymarked: Yes
- Route Map
- Google Map
- GPS
- Elevation Chart
Tourism Police:
Hotline: 117777
What’s App: +962 7 7099 1814
* When contacting Tourism Police for emergency identify that you are hiking the Jordan Trail, state your nationality, location and map name & number.
JTA office: +962 6 461 0999
(Working Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Sunday- Thursday)
The day starts with the long ascent of a pleasantly undulating ridge with the old Roman road sometimes visible nearby. There are great views down to the Dead Sea, the Jordan Valley, the cliffs and hills in Palestine. Beyond the nice summit ridge a path leads to the road, which is followed a short way to the SW before descending a long wadi to meet a track. After crossing the valley a path then goes down past dolmens to the verdant depths of the hugely impressive Hidan Gorge with waterfalls and pools in its river.
- Buses go from the Amman’s southern bus station to Madaba. From Madaba, take a taxi to stage start/end points.
- Road access exists near the stage beginning (a few hundred meters from Zarqa Ma’in) by 4×4, halfway (Atruz/Beni Hamida) and at the end (Wadi Hidan). Access to 4×4 roads is possible for most of the route.
- Wild Camping, Saleh Alhomran, +962 776840606, JT Pass Stamps: Wadi Al- Hidan,Wadi Zarqa Ma'in, Wadi Mujib
- Wadi Hidan
- Atruz & the Beni Hamida Tribe
- Machaerus (Mukawir Castle)
- Roman Road & Ruins
- Ridge overlooking the Dead Sea
Food:
- Small minimarket with water and food in Beni Hamida / Atruz directly along the route.
Water:
- Flowing water year-round can be found in Wadi Zarqa Ma’in and Wadi Hidan (purification required).
- Jardela Spring before Wadi Hidan
Tips:
- The climb out of Wadi Zarqa Ma’in follows a well-graded Roman Road for much of the way.
- Get a snack and cold drink at the minimarket in Beni Hamida.
- Take a break from camping at Abu Saif’s home stay, not far from the midpoint of the route.
- Road access: beginning (Zarqa Ma’in), halfway (Atruz) & at the end (Wadi Hidan)
- Limited shade
- Mobile service available most of the time except for the last quarter
- Wild camping possible anywhere along the stage
Safety Info:
- Exposed edges – There are some boulders and short ledges to walk around in wadi below Atruz, and a short and slightly exposed edge along stone-built steps right at end before Wadi Hidan.
- Flash flood dangers – Wadi coming down from Atruz
- Loose footing – First part up to roman road, coming down from Atruz, last descent from higher part of 4×4
- Dehydration/heat exhaustion – Shade is limited, and it can be very hot at lower elevations along the bottom of the wadis.
REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION
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