Hiking Petra in 2 days: Backdoor Trail & the secret Al Madras Trail
Last Updated on 14 April 2026
An ancient Nabatean city carved deep into the sandstone cliffs of southern Jordan, Petra is unquestionably one of the most awe-inspiring ancient sites in the entire world. Millions have stood at the base of the famed Treasury, marvelling at 2,000 years of history, but few venture deeper into the site— and we’d argue this is where the real magic is!
We’ve hiked through Petra MANY times, first as part of our own travels and now on the adventure group trips we run in Jordan, and the near-universal reaction among first-timers is shock at the vast expanse of desert peaks, royal tombs, intricate temples, and recently-inhabited caves within Petra. This site is ENORMOUS, and together with a beautiful network of trails, that’s what makes Petra stand out among all other World Wonders and ancient sites— the opportunity for true adventure off the beaten path and away from the tourist crowds.
This detailed 2-day hiking itinerary will take you on a journey of 20km through Petra’s wonders, beginning with the jaw-dropping Backdoor Trail from Little Petra to the Monastery and Treasury (the most famous façade), followed by the even lesser known Al-Madras Trail to the High Place of Sacrifice and Wadi Farasa. Trust us when we say this is the BEST way to experience Petra’s highlights AND its hidden gems!
About the ancient city of Petra
Founded circa 400 BCE by the Nabataeans, a nomadic Arab tribe who settled in southern Jordan, Petra thrived for centuries as a major trading hub connecting Arabia, Egypt, and the Mediterranean. As trade routes shifted and the Roman Empire expanded, however, Petra gradually declined and was largely abandoned by the 7th century.
For hundreds of years, Petra was known only to local Bedouins who safeguarded its secrets and lived within the city— even today, there are Bedouin families from the B’doul tribe inhabiting the caves of Petra. This site is a living monument to both ancient Nabatean engineering and modern Bedouin heritage, and the tribe has played an essential role in preserving and protecting the legacy of Petra.
About modern-day Petra
Protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985, Petra isn’t just a single monument, but an entire ancient city carved into the desert, with hundreds of tombs, temples, and viewpoints spread across more than 264 square kilometres of mountainous landscape. Within the site, you’ll find iconic relics like the Treasury and Royal Tombs, the mysterious Monastery high in the hills, and Little Petra, a smaller annex 7km beyond the main site. You’ll explore all of these (and much more) on this itinerary!
When people talk about Petra, it can be helpful to understand that they might be referring to any of several distinct sites or locations in this region:
- Petra Archeological Park: the ancient Nabatean city of Petra preserved and protected as a national archaeological site, which includes the Monastery, Treasury, Little Petra, and over 260 square-km of mountainous desert << when I refer to Petra in this post, I’m talking about the site!
- Treasury: the most iconic Petra photo (above), but let’s say it again for the people in the back: this is just ONE building out of hundreds inside Petra, a tiny fraction of what you will see on this 2-day hiking itinerary!
- Wadi Musa (Moses Valley): the main town serving as a tourist hub for Petra, located directly at the main entrance to the site with plentiful hotels, restaurants, parking, and bus stops connecting Petra to other parts of Jordan
- Little Petra: a small annex of the Petra Archaeological Park (where the Backdoor Trail begins), with several festive Bedouin camps that make for a perfect first-night stay on this itinerary!
Overview of this 2-day Petra hiking itinerary
We’ve been to Petra 5 times now, but it only took us a single visit to realise that the vast majority of people are doing it WRONG: few venture beyond the Treasury, and even those who do rarely allocate more than a half-day to explore what is (in my humble opinion) the most spectacular of all surviving Wonders of the World.
This itinerary is an attempt to showcase the sprawl, spectacle, and spirit of Petra better than any standard guided tour— hitting all the main highlights, but also SO many kilometres of underrated trails to hidden gems and quiet viewpoints that still feel like a local secret. We hike this exact route on our Jordan adventure tours, lovingly crafted in partnership with our good friend and favourite guide, Mahmoud, who was born in the caves of Petra and has made our in-depth exploration of this region possible!
The map above and GPS track below should give you an idea of how we recommend spending 2 days in Petra:
- Day 1 (shown in yellow) is a one-way route from Little Petra to Petra on the Backdoor Trail, Monastery Trail, Main Trail (+ detours), and The Siq
- Day 2 (shown in purple) is a loop linking the Al Madras Trail, High Place of Sacrifice, and Wadi Farasa
🥾 Skip to the hiking itinerary below for full details on the itinerary, which trails to follow, and exactly what you’ll see along the way!
Trail distance
Depending on shortcuts (discussed in detail below), you’ll hike approximately:
- Day 1: 12km (600m of elevation gain)
- Day 2: 7-10km (450m of elevation gain)
Hiking difficulty
Neither the Backdoor Trail nor the Al Madras Trail are particularly difficult, but they do involve a lot of uneven terrain, some fiddly navigation, and near-constant sun exposure (which can be HOT, particularly from May to September). Several litres of water and comfortable footwear are essential!
We’ve taken a few “non-hikers” on these trails who managed just fine (and I did the route myself only a few months after knee surgery), but a high level of fitness is definitely recommended. There are options to shorten both days of the route with transport or alternate trails, and I’ll discuss these in-depth below so you can dial in your perfect version of this itinerary!
>>> Save our GPS track for this 2-day Petra hiking itinerary
Do I need a guide to hike in Petra?
There’s no requirement to hire a guide for Petra and you’ll hopefully be able to tackle this hike on your own with the information contained in this post, but we’ve explored Petra both with and without a guide over the years and can tell you: a good guide enhances the experience ten-fold.
Licensed, English-speaking local guides are available for hire at both entrances to Petra. Show them your planned itinerary and they’ll be able to provide valuable insight about what you’re seeing and navigate you along the route (Day 2 can be particularly difficult to follow due to low foot-traffic).
*Want even more off the beaten path adventure? Hike the Jordan Trail with our friends at Experience Jordan Adventures (and you might be lucky to explore Petra with our favourite guide, Mahmoud!)
Petra logistics
Petra tickets & the Jordan Pass
Although it’s possible to purchase entry tickets to Petra at the gate for 50JOD ($70USD), the cheapest and best option is to pre-purchase the Jordan Pass before arriving in the country.
The Jordan Pass packages together entrance to nearly all of the historical landmarks in Jordan (Petra, Amman Citadel, Jerash, Wadi Rum, etc) AND waives the cost of a Jordan visa, which is otherwise 40JOD ($60USD). The cheapest Jordan Pass costs 70JOD ($100USD), but if you’re following this itinerary, make sure to purchase the “Jordan Explorer”, which includes 2 days of consecutive visits to Petra for only 5JOD more.
Getting to Petra
The small town of Wadi Musa serves as the primary gateway to Petra, and it’s here you’ll find the main Petra Visitor Centre, museum, bus stops, and a variety of modern hotels just minutes from the site.
- Driving: Wadi Musa is approximately 3hrs from Amman, 2hrs from Wadi Rum, and 3hrs from the Dead Sea. Free parking is available near the Petra Visitor Centre in Wadi Musa and at the Little Petra Visitor Centre— you may need to utilise the free shuttle between Wadi Musa and Little Petra to get back to your car at the end of the hike; see more info below.
- Jett Bus: The Jett Bus from Amman is a convenient and affordable option, taking around 3.5hrs to reach Wadi Musa (buses arrive at the Visitor Centre).
We always use DiscoverCars to find the best deals on car rental whenever we travel— in this case, we hired a tiny little car (amazing on fuel!) for just $12/day through MonteCarlo/RightCars. This small Jordanian company offers a free airport shuttle to the offsite rental office and was super easy to work with, so we’re happy to recommend!
Staying in Wadi Musa or Little Petra
In addition to the modern hotels that make Wadi Musa a great base for exploring Petra, there are a variety of festive Bedouin camps located on the opposite side of the site in Little Petra. And so, there are two main ways to approach this hiking itinerary:
- stay the 1st night in Little Petra and the 2nd night in Wadi Musa— this is what we always do with our adventure groups, since the Backdoor Trail begins in Little Petra and ends directly in Wadi Musa, PLUS the Bedouin camps in Little Petra are a real highlight!
OR
- stay both nights in Wadi Musa— you’ll need to catch a shuttle to Little Petra to the begin the Backdoor Trail on Day 1, but this does avoid having to change accommodation during your time in Petra, so it can be a bit lighter on logistics if you have a lot of luggage
Where to stay in Little Petra
We highly recommend spending your first night in Little Petra, and although there are several camps to choose from, we always stay at Little Petra Bedouin Camp when we run our adventure tours! The setting is absolutely magical, the dinner and breakfast spreads are fantastic, and the owner Mohammed always goes above and beyond to ensure guests have the best experience.
Little Petra Bedouin Camp offers a variety of room types:
- Double Tent: a traditional square goat-hair tent with a double bed (or 2 twins) and access to hostel-style shared bathrooms and showers nearby. This is the most budget-friendly option, but be aware that it can reach sweat-lodge-level temperatures inside the tent (with no AC) from May-Sept!
- Deluxe Double Tent: a slightly larger tent that adds a private bathroom and AC unit.
- Luxury Double Tent: the nicest offering at the camp, these rooms are easily 3x the size of the double tent, with a spacious en suite bathroom and excellent AC. On the last trip we ran to Jordan in mid-September, all but 2 guests upgraded to this room after feeling how hot the standard tents were at 4pm… and now we just book these for everyone from the start! High-end comfort, yet only 1.5x the cost of the budget Double Tent.
Where to stay in Wadi Musa
Depending on how you’re approaching this itinerary, you’ll either spend your second night OR both nights in Wadi Musa near the Petra Visitor Centre. Here’s where we’d personally recommend based on several stays over the years:
- Silk Road Hotel: located a 5min walk from the main entrance, Silk Road offers convenient access to restaurants in Wadi Musa and to the site itself. Rooms are simple and comfortable, but the absolute best thing about this hotel is the budget-friendly hammam located in the main building— for about 25JOD ($35USD), you can enjoy a traditional bathing house experience (same-gender steam room + soapy massage), which is truly amazing after a day of dusty hiking in Petra!
- Petra Plaza Hotel: Slightly farther up the hill (a 5JOD taxi up & a comfortable 15min stroll down), this is a lovely hotel with friendly staff and comfortable rooms. Petra Plaza is a little nicer than Silk Road, but the location isn’t quite as convenient (AND there’s no hammam).
- Petra Guest House: The absolute closest accommodation to Petra and one of the most unique stays in Wadi Musa, this 4-star hotel is literally built INTO the surrounding cliffs and ancient caves! Petra Guest House strikes a great balance between comfort and value: more upscale than Silk Road or Petra Plaza, but without the hefty price tag of the Mövenpick. Guests on our most recent group trip loved it! Even if you don’t stay here, make sure to grab a drink at the Cave Bar, built right into a 1st century Nabatean cave home.
- Mövenpick: If your budget can handle it, this is by far the most luxurious hotel in Wadi Musa, conveniently located just in front of the Petra Visitor Centre and main entrance. We stopped in for drinks and managed to slip our way into their “Chocolate Hour”, a daily fondue fountain free to guests in the lobby, and although it’s the only hotel on this list we haven’t personally stayed in, we hear nothing but excellent things!
Shuttle from Wadi Musa to Little Petra
There’s a free shuttle operating every 30min between the Petra Visitor Centre in Wadi Musa and Little Petra, typically between 7am-3pm. This will be relevant to you:
- if you spend both nights in Wadi Musa >>> you’ll need to catch the shuttle from Wadi Musa to Little Petra on the start of Day 1 to reach the Backdoor Trail
- if you drive a rental car and park at the Petra Visitor Centre in Wadi Musa >>> you’ll need to catch the shuttle from Wadi Musa to your accommodation in Little Petra before the first day of hiking
- if you drive a rental car and park directly at Little Petra >>> you’ll need to catch the shuttle from Wadi Musa back to your car after finishing both days of hiking
*2-day Petra hiking itinerary
Each day of this epic 2-day Petra hiking itinerary links together several of the park’s best trails, guaranteeing you’ll see ALL of Petra’s highlights, as well as many of its lesser visited corners and hidden gems! Here’s a quick overview of the itinerary, with heaps more detail about each segment below:
🗺️ Need another look at the map?
Day 1: Backdoor Trail from Little Petra to Petra (12km, 600m elevation gain)
- Backdoor Trail: Little Petra to the Monastery
- Monastery Trail: Monastery to Colonnaded Street
- Main Trail + detours: Royal Tombs to Street of Façades
- The Siq: Treasury to Petra Visitor Centre
- Petra By Night
Day 2: Al Madras Trail to High Place of Sacrifice (10km, 450m elevation gain)
- Al Madras Trail: Petra Visitor Centre to High Place of Sacrifice
- Wadi Farasa Trail: High Place of Sacrifice to Colonnaded Street
- Main Trail: Qasr al-Bint OR Theatre to Treasury
- The Siq: Treasury to Petra Visitor Centre
Day 1: Backdoor Trail from Little Petra to Petra
12km; 600m elevation gain
This first day of hiking is the ultimate introduction to Petra, following the spectacular Jordan Trail as it joins with the Backdoor Trail from Little Petra to the Monastery, then descending to the centre of the site on the Monastery Trail.
You’ll explore the Great Temple, escape the crowds inside the Royal Tombs, and capture iconic photos at the Treasury on (and off!) the Main Trail, and finally, exit via the Siq, a long slot-canyon that leads out to the Petra Visitor Centre in Wadi Musa.
🗺️ Need another look at the map?
Little Petra
Before venturing onto the trail, take 20-30min to explore Little Petra (Siq al-Barid), a 1st-century Nabataean settlement believed to have housed traders and travellers along the Silk Road. This annex of the site is fairly compact and located right at the Little Petra entrance/starting point for the Backdoor Trail.
Key highlights include the Painted Biclinium, adorned with rare frescoes, and the Triclinium, thought to be a banquet hall for feasts and ceremonies. I particularly love the steep stone staircases carved into the cliffs, leading to hidden second-story caves and lofty viewpoints!
Backdoor Trail to the Monastery
⏱️ OPTIONAL 4WD JEEP SHORTCUT
You have 2 options this morning: begin the 6km hike through the desert towards the Monastery or catch a 4WD Jeep transfer that saves nearly 4km, depositing you at the base of the first (and most significant) uphill section of the day.
We’ve previously done both the hike and the transfer depending on the fitness of our group, and I’d say that if you have doubts about hiking 14km or if it’s a particularly hot day, this is the BEST place to conserve energy, since you don’t miss anything too mind-blowing. Jeeps depart pretty consistently throughout the morning and cost 5JOD ($7USD) per person, payable directly at the Little Petra entrance.
From Little Petra, the hiking route meanders through open desert terrain, leading first to the ruins of Al Beidha. This is actually one of the oldest archaeological sites in the region, predating Petra by thousands of years, and there are a few small structures and informational plaques to explore (no more than 5-10min).
Continue through Wadi Ghurab for the next hour, enjoying the flat terrain and beautifully eroded sandstone cliffs before converging with the transfer passengers at the base of a small hill. It’s a short push upwards to reach a rustic cafe selling cold pomegranate juice and offering excellent views of the surrounding mountains, so be sure to stop here for photos!
The route then transitions into our favourite section of the entire Backdoor Trail: natural (reinforced) rock terraces cut through the side of the mountain, dramatically dangling over Wadi Siyyagh and its many sandstone summits. The final stretch involves a series of undulating stone steps that eventually reveal the Monastery (Ad-Deir), a colossal and intricately carved Nabataean structure perched high above Petra. Worth every step!
Monastery (Ad-Deir)
The Monastery is one of the largest structures in Petra, and at nearly 50m wide and 45m tall, it’s even bigger than the iconic Treasury. Several minutes before the rest of the façade comes into view, you’ll catch a glimpse of the urn (the stone sphere atop the central tholos), which legend claims once held hidden treasure. Sadly, it’s carved from solid rock (and apparently treasure-less), but still incredible to see such detail survive 2,000 years!
And indeed, arriving at the Monastery from this direction feels like discovering a hidden treasure, far removed from the bustling main entrance of the site— and blissfully avoiding the masses, who must climb 850 stone steps to reach this spot from the centre of Petra! In the morning, you might even enjoy the Monastery almost entirely to yourself.
Take a shady break at one of the nearby cafés to eat a snack, grab a cold drink (we love the mix of orange + pomegranate juice!), and soak in the peaceful views before descending deeper into the site.
Monastery Trail to Colonnaded Street
Descending steeply from the Monastery for about 40min (1.5km) through a maze of stone steps and narrow alleys, many lined by small textile shops and pomegranate juice vendors, you’ll eventually emerge onto Petra’s Colonnaded Street.
This is the beating heart of both the ancient city and the modern archaeological site, a massive thoroughfare that connects many of Petra’s temples, churches, and tombs— expect to be absolutely blown away by the sprawl. There are cafes, bathrooms, and even a few shady places to sit if you’re in need of a rest before continuing into the intense sun of the cobbled street.
The first notable site you’ll encounter along the Colonnaded Street is Qasr al-Bint, one of the best-preserved freestanding temples in the city. Dedicated to Dushara, the Nabataean god of the mountains and protector of the people, this grand structure served as a central place of worship.
Despite centuries of earthquakes and erosion, Qasr al-Bint remains remarkably intact, a testament to the Nabataeans’ engineering prowess. And with the mountains in the background, I find it makes a particularly excellent photography subject!
Continue along the Colonnaded Street for a few minutes to the sprawling Great Temple, believed to have served as a civic or ceremonial centre— you’ll have the best view from The Church or the Temple of the Winged Lions across the street.
We’d also recommend visiting The Church, famous for its beautiful 5-6th century mosaic floors depicting plants and animals, and then stopping by the Nymphaeum, a public fountain that once provided water to the city. All of these spots are spitting distance from the Main Trail, so they make for short but interesting mini-detours as you explore central Petra!
Royal Tombs
Detouring off the Main Trail, head next to the four Royal Tombs carved into the opposing mountainside— majestic façades believed to be burial sites for Petra’s elite, reflecting the Nabataeans’ deep reverence for the afterlife.
We’ll never understand why so many visitors skip exploring the Royal Tombs up close, because it’s easily one of our favourite areas within Petra (and a consistent highlight for the guests on our trips, too)! Allow about an hour to do this area justice.
There are 4 main tombs to explore, each with its own fascinating history, and we’d recommend visiting them from left to right:
- Palace Tomb: The largest and most elaborate of the Royal Tombs, this grand structure resembles a Roman palace, with multiple levels of columns and decorative niches (1st small photo above)
- Corinthian Tomb: With its ornate columns and carved details, this tomb displays a blend of Nabataean and Roman architectural styles, reminiscent of the Treasury (large photo above)
- Silk Tomb (also called Rainbow Tomb): Named for the vivid, swirling patterns in its sandstone façade, this tomb is a spectacular kaleidoscope of colour and a photographer’s playground (2nd small photo above and all small photos below)
- Urn Tomb: Distinguished by its vast, vaulted chamber, the Urn Tomb was later converted into a Byzantine church in the 5th century CE, as evidenced by inscriptions and modifications inside (3rd small photo above)
Following a high spur trail from the upper level of the Urn Tomb towards the Street of Façades, you’ll get a great aerial view of Petra’s enormous Theatre, an architectural marvel carved directly into the rose-red rock. Built by the Nabataeans in the 1st century CE and later expanded by the Romans, the Theatre could seat up to 8,500 spectators, making it one of the largest in the ancient world!
Continuing your descent towards the Main Trail, pass through a part of Petra rich with Bedouin caves, many of which were inhabited by families as recently as 1985. You’ll have the best experience here with a B’doul guide who can share his own history with you, but even visiting the caves on your own is worthwhile to gain insight into modern local life in Petra!
Finally, clamber down wooden stairs and cross a small bridge that leads to the Street of Façades, a section of narrowing canyon lined with elaborate tombs. As you round a tight corner, the iconic Treasury (Al-Khazneh) is finally revealed on your right and it’s hard not to gasp as you lay eyes on this masterpiece for the first time.
Treasury (Al-Khazneh)
By now you’ll have realised that there’s SO much more to Petra than just the Treasury— but it’s the single most impressive and intricate example of Nabatean artistry that’s survived into modern times, so the hype is still warranted. With the façade glowing with warm afternoon light, the Treasury is guaranteed to take your breath away!
Despite its name, this structure never served as a treasury— local Bedouins once believed treasure was hidden in the urn above (and just like the Monastery, that turned out to be legend), but the name stuck. In reality, the Treasury was almost certainly a tomb carved for a Nabatean king, consisting of just a central chamber and two small side rooms. It’s little more than an elaborate façade, but DANG what a façade it is!
Thanks to its position close to the Petra Visitor Centre, you’ll pass the Treasury again on the return hike from Al Madras and the High Place of Sacrifice on Day 2 (and even see it under magical candlelight, if you buy tickets for Petra by Night). Depending on time and energy levels, you’ll probably want to save the aerial viewpoint for the next day, but it’s entirely up to you ↯
✅ TREASURY VIEWPOINT RE-OPENED
You may have seen beautiful photos from one of several high vantage points above the Treasury, but as of 2026, there are only 2 legal viewpoints open to visitors. The first can be found at the end of the Al-Khubtha Trail (2-3hrs return), while the second is an easy 2min climb up stone steps directly opposite the Treasury.
Within this itinerary, we’d recommend the second viewpoint, which offers spectacular unobstructed views with hardly any time commitment— purchase a ticket for 10JOD ($15USD) at the kiosk to the right of the Treasury. Surprisingly, we had the viewpoint entirely to ourselves for about 15min (and you won’t find a more dedicated photographer than the Bedouin man awaiting you at the top)!
⏱️ OPTIONAL GOLF CART TRANSFER
By the time you arrive to the Treasury in the afternoon, you’ll have the option to take a golf cart out to the Petra Visitor Centre, which saves about 1.5km/30min of walking. This isn’t a particularly high-value short-cut, since it will cost you a whopping 15JOD ($21), but it’s there in case you’re absolutely spanked.
When you eventually manage to pull away from the grandeur of the Treasury, exit via The Siq, a narrow slot canyon that winds for about one kilometre towards the Petra Visitor Centre in Wadi Musa.
This walk is absolutely spectacular, and as much as we love the Backdoor Trail, the ONE thing you miss out on is the grand reveal of the Treasury through the narrow walls of the Siq. Take a few dozen steps down the trail and then turn around to look back at the view being revealed between the tight canyon walls, and you’ll see exactly what we mean!
Bonus: Petra By Night
A magical experience bringing the Treasury to life under the glow of 1,500 candles, Petra By Night is an incredibly unique way to experience this ancient wonder! The event runs every night (except Fri/Sat) from 8.30-10.30pm, beginning with an atmospheric stroll through the candle-lit Siq canyon before arriving at the Treasury to traditional Bedouin music.
Tickets are 17JOD ($24USD), not covered by the Jordan Pass or standard Petra Tickets, and can be purchased night-of at the Visitor Centre. Apparently online booking will be available soon!
People always want to know if we think Petra by Night is worth it, but whatever you think of the nightly performance, it’s amazing even to just SEE the Treasury under candlelight— we say go for it! It’s about 3km return from the Petra Visitor Centre to the Treasury, or you can catch a golf cart transfer for 15JOD one-way or 25JOD return.
Day 2: Al Madras Trail
7-10km; 450m elevation gain
Having covered so many of the standard highlights (AND the incredible Backdoor Trail) on Day 1, this 2nd day in Petra is all about exploring corners of the site that feel like a well-kept secret. Follow the Al Madras Trail up an ancient Nabatean staircase and wander through wild Wadi al-Qantarah to connect to the High Place of Sacrifice, one of the most spectacular viewpoints in the entire site. Descend on the Wadi Farasa Trail, visiting countless rock-cut monuments that receive practically zero visitors, before dropping into central Petra and exiting via the Main Trail and The Siq.
🗺️ Need another look at the map?
Djin Blocks, Snake Tomb & Obelisk Tomb
Entering through the main entrance at the Petra Visitor Centre today, you’ll walk only a short distance with the masses before deviating onto the Al Madras Trail. In that time, pass a few notable landmarks you likely missed yesterday afternoon while exiting the site.
The first of these is the Djin Blocks, a group of three large, angular monuments carved from sandstone. Meaning “spirit” in Arabic (and also the origin of the English word genie), the Djin Blocks are believed to be the oldest tombs in Petra, though only partially finished.
Shortly thereafter, you’ll encounter the Snake Tomb, named for the serpent carved along its façade (believed to be a symbolic guardian of the burial site), and the striking Obelisk Tomb featuring four tall obelisks carved above the entrance (thought to represent the deceased).
Al Madras Trail
Just after the Obelisk Tomb (less than 15min from the Petra Visitor Centre), a trail leads off to the left— you should see a red sign marking the Al Madras Trail with a brief description of the route.
The Al Madras Trail ascends gradually up a narrow Nabatean stone staircase, requires some light scrambling over large boulders, and continues across the desert on a nicely marked path. It’s the views of the landscape that really define this part of the hike, a backdrop of multi-coloured sandstone formations and peaks rising in the distance.
You’ll eventually leave the neatly marked Al Madras Trail to traverse Wadi al-Qantarah towards the High Place of Sacrifice, and this section can be very challenging to follow without a guide. We have a complete GPS track of the route, but signal disruptions across Jordan (because of their neighbour to the west) make GPS slightly unreliable, so sensible navigation is going to be essential here!
>>> Save our GPS track for this 2-day Petra hiking itinerary
High Place of Sacrifice
About 1.5-2hrs from the start of the trail, reach the summit of Jebel al-Madhbah (Mountain of the Altar), home to the High Place of Sacrifice: one of the most sacred sites in Petra and arguably the best aerial viewpoint for appreciating the sprawl of the ancient city.
Carved directly into the bedrock, the site features a large rectangular pit and ceremonial altar, believed to have been used by the Nabataeans for ritual offerings— most likely animal sacrifices (goats) as part of their religious practices. Ancient inhabitants likely chose this elevated position nearly 200m above the centre of Petra to be closer to the divine, thus amplifying the significance of sacred ceremonies.
Today, the High Place of Sacrifice is just as powerful for its panoramic views as for its history. From the summit, you can look out over Petra’s expansive ruins, with a particularly phenomenal vantage point over the Royal Tombs carved into the opposing mountain, Jebel al-Khubtha.
Because it’s accessible from several trails (just 20min from the Street of Façades), you’re likely to be joined by a few other tourists at the High Place of Sacrifice— but as soon as you continue onwards towards Wadi Farasa, you’ll enjoy total seclusion once again!
⏱️ DESCENT ROUTES FROM THE HIGH PLACE OF SACRIFICE
There are 3 different ways to descend from the High Place of Sacrifice based on energy and time (note that ALL pass by the Treasury and ultimately exit via The Siq):
🔴 Wadi Farasa Trail: the longest and most off-the-beaten-path option, descending through rugged but spectacular terrain for about 1.5hrs to connect to the Main Trail near Qasr al-Bint (+1hr to return to the Petra Visitor Centre)
🟡 First-half of Wadi Farasa Trail: follow Wadi Farasa past the Renaissance Tomb (40min) and then turn right onto a spur trail that will drop you into central Petra near the Theatre (+40min to return to the Petra Visitor Centre)** this can be a great compromise if you don’t have time/energy for the full trail, since the interesting tombs and monuments are in the first half anyway!
🟢 High Place of Sacrifice Trail: the shortest and most direct route descends down steep stairs to the Street of Façades (15min +30min to return to the Petra Visitor Centre)
Wadi Farasa Trail
Unless you’re really pressed for time, we HIGHLY recommend descending (either partly or entirely) via the Wadi Farasa Trail, a beautiful and more adventurous route through the desert that passes a series of fascinating monuments most visitors never see!
Early along the trail, you’ll encounter the Lion Fountain, a carved water source once fed by an ancient aqueduct system, with a weathered lion’s head still visible above the niche. Not far beyond is the Garden Hall, a columned chamber named for the lush garden that archaeologists believe once flourished here— remarkably, there’s still some greenery growing today! With a nearby water collection system, this area likely served as a residence for the guardian overseeing the cistern along the path to the High Place of Sacrifice.
Continuing down the trail, reach the Roman Soldier’s Tomb and its adjacent Triclinium (funerary banquet hall). Originally built by the Nabataeans in the 1st century, the tomb was later modified during the Roman period, with military-style busts added to the façade. Nearby, the Renaissance Tomb offers another striking example of Nabataean craftsmanship (top right photo above)
Descending past an array of beautiful caves (poke your head inside to see the kaleidoscope of minerals swirled together in improbable patterns by ancient groundwater!), you can continue along Wadi Farasa to Qasr al-Bint or cut down more directly toward the Theatre, saving over an hour of hiking.
Enjoy a spectacular view of the Royal Tombs and countless caves in the opposing mountainside (Jebel al-Khubtha) as you pass above/descend toward the Colonnaded Steet, Petra’s principal thoroughfare. Wherever you return, simply follow the Main Trail and The Siq to exit at the Petra Visitor Centre, stopping again to ogle the Treasury— and definitely visit the high Treasury viewpoint, if you didn’t get a chance on Day 1!
⏱️ OPTIONAL GOLF CART TRANSFER
As with Day 1, you’ll have the option to take a golf cart from the Treasury to Petra Visitor Centre, which saves about 1.5km/30min of walking. Tickets cost 15JOD ($21) and can be purchased at the kiosk in front of the Treasury.
Packing list for hiking Petra
- Day pack: a small 18-25L pack should be more than enough for the day
- Water bottle: there are opportunities to buy more water in the main part of the site, but start each day with 2-3L
- Picnic lunch and/or snacks: there are several cafes and restaurants within Petra where you can buy lunch, but it’s also possible to BYO and eat while enjoying your favourite view
- Sun hat + sunscreen
- Hiking clothes: we are both obsessed with lightweight Vuori clothing for travelling through the Middle East!
- Comfortable walking shoes: I wore my trusty Blundstones and James wore adidas running shoes
- Camera: see all the camera gear we travel with in this post
- Jordan Pass: package together entry to 35 historical sites in Jordan (including Petra) AND visa costs for the absolute best deal!
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