Petra on Foot: Trails, Steps and Safety

Travel advisory, October 2026: The wider 2026 conflict involving Iran reaches Jordan, and the US State Department gives the whole country an overall Level 3, “Reconsider Travel”. Level 4, “Do Not Travel”, applies to the borders with Syria and Iraq and to a few named districts. The UK FCDO takes a narrower line: it advises against travel only within 3 km of the Syrian border and carries no warning for Petra, Wadi Musa or Wadi Rum. Petra and Wadi Musa are open and operating, but flights can be disrupted and the situation can shift at short notice. Compare the current UK FCDO advice with the US State Department advisory before you book and again before you fly. The rest of this page is written for an ordinary visit.

How you walk Petra depends on the time you have and the stairs you are willing to climb. Routes below are grouped by time budget, from a short stroll to a full day. No trail inside the park legally requires a guide, and official licensed guides are optional. Fees are in Jordanian dinars (JD).

If you have two hours: the Siq and the Treasury

From the Visitor Center the approach is 800 m, then the Siq runs for 1.2 km to the Treasury, about 2 km in all. Adults need 30 to 45 minutes each way at an easy pace. The ground is flat to gently downhill on the way in, so the return is the part that tires people. The club car back, at 15 JD one way, is the option for weary legs.

If you have half a day: the Main Trail

The Main Trail continues past the Treasury along the valley to Qasr al-Bint, about 4 km one way. Allow 4 to 6 hours for the round trip with stops. An official guide for this route costs 50 JD, though plenty of visitors go alone. The Street of Facades, the Theatre and the Royal Tombs come on the way.

If you have a full day: add a climb

  • High Place of Sacrifice and Wadi Farasa. The path starts opposite the Theatre and climbs to a summit altar with two obelisks. The way down passes the Lion Monument and the Garden Tomb through Wadi Farasa. It is moderate to strenuous. A guide for the Main Trail plus the High Place is 100 JD. The late afternoon light is best, provided you are back through the gate before closing.
  • The Monastery. The trail starts from the Basin area and climbs 800 to 850 stairs, taking about 45 to 60 minutes. It is strenuous, so start early in the cool. Hiring a guide for the Main Trail and the Monastery together costs 100 JD. Skip the donkeys on the steps, because welfare groups have documented overloading of working animals in Petra.

If you want a hard ridge walk: Al-Khubtha

The trail climbs a ridge above the Royal Tombs to a Bedouin tent with a view down on the Treasury, and it takes four hours or more. A guided Al-Khubtha walk costs 50 JD, and a charge of 15 JD per person is listed for viewpoints opposite the Treasury. Visitors usually pay about 2 to 5 JD for tea or as a tip at the tent.

Routes that start outside the park

  • The back door. This route links Little Petra to the Monastery through the Nabatean Cultural Village. Parts of the path are unmarked, and a guide is sensible. Your Petra ticket is checked at the Little Petra office.
  • Khurmah Trail. A 14 km hike from Al-Rajef to Masoudah, launched in February 2025 as one of 24 trails outside the park. Hikers book it with local operators. See the Jordan Times report .
  • Tourism Street. The town stroll needs no ticket and passes bakeries and falafel and shawarma shops. Keep it short before a day in the park.

Walking safely

  • Carry 2 to 3 litres of water in summer and drink bottled or filtered water as a precaution.
  • Summer from June to August is hot and shadeless, often 35 to 40 C or more, so choose spring or autumn if you can.
  • The park closes between 4:00 and 6:00 pm depending on the season, and the UK FCDO reports tourists have been locked in overnight. Start back early.
  • The Siq is a drainage channel. Do not enter it in or after heavy rain, and follow rangers.

For guided walks, you can browse GetYourGuide walking tours in Wadi Musa . Read more: solo activities in Wadi Musa and outdoor activities . A day-by-day plan is in the Petra 5 day itinerary .