SECTION 101 : UM QAIS TO ZIGLAB
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HIKES IN THE REGION
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DAY 1: UM QAIS TO ZIGLAB
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Distance: 25.5 km
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Time: 8 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)
It’s the first day, so nice to begin downhill. Starting at the basalt ruins of the Decapolis of Um Qais overlooking the Sea of Galilee, we head down towards the Arab Dam, reaching Tel Mazraa’ at the water’s edge. We then follow the south side of the reservoir before climbing hills to a flat rich agriculture plain and the village of Zabda. Beyond, we drop down and follow Wadi Darraba and Quseiba to the weat, finally heading south and crossing Wadi et Taiyiba to the Ziglab Lake. A beautiful hike especially nice in the Spring.
Ajloun has bus connections to Amman, Jerash, and Irbid
Wild Camp & Homestay- Philodemus Camp & Beit Philodemus, Ahmad Alomari & Rawan Husban, +962772426768, JT Pass Stamp Um Qais
Wild Camp & Homestay, Ibrahim Jawabreh & Tharwat Jawabrah, +962772277509
Wild Camp, Raed Al Theeb, +962791541354
Wild Camp & Homestay, Faraj Abu Alloush, +962785258284, JT Pass Stamp Um Qais
Homestay, Beit Al Baraka, Reservation, +962776667660 (https://barakadestinations.com/)
Homestay, Jadara Rent Room, Ibrahim Al Rousan, +962795021917
- Um Qais Roman Ruins
- Wadi al-Arab Dam
- Tel Zar’a and Rock Climbing
- Zabda & Makhraba
- Wild Boar
Food:
- Restaurants in Um Qais
- Shops in Um Qais, Murshid, Makhraba, Waqas
- Meals are available at the Sharhabil Bin Hassneh EcoPark.
Water:
- Villages and shops along the way
- Um Qais Spring: said not to be trusted for drinking due to runoff
- Wadi Makrab Spring: flowing at time of research (purify before drinking, could require digging)
Tips:
- Be ready for the long, steep uphill in middle of the day.
- The lower, second half of the route can get quite hot later in the day, especially outside of winter.
- Route is waymarked and used frequently.
Safety Info:
- Exposed edges – Minor, short section after Ein Um Qais
- Flash flood dangers: Wadi Quseib (mild risk)
- Loose footing – Downhill from Um Qais at beginning, Wadi Quseib
- Animals – Shepherd dogs are present in a few places, mostly controlled well by owners
- Dehydration/heat exhaustion – Take extra care, especially in hotter, lower section after Zabda