Hike the back road to the Monastery
Take the scenic, off the beaten track, hiking trail up to the Monastery from Beidah (Little Petra). To not get lost in this desolated area it’s best to hire a guide to show you the way. He will guide you along small white domes of sandstone, an ancient Nabataean dam, a rock balcony and the Bronze age settlement Umm Saysaban. Enjoy the marvellous views over Wadi Araba before hiking up the ancient Nabataean steps to reach the plateau. Once up on the plateau the Monastery will reveal itself to you!
Don’t forget to climb up behind the little restaurant to get to the view point to enjoy the view over the huge canyon of Wadi es Siyyagh.
From the Monastery you can take the main trail down into Petra by the Basin.
(The fee for the guide, including transfer (up to four people) from Wadi Musa to Little Petra, is 70 JD. Don’t forget that you need a ticket for Petra to do this hike!)
Difficulty
Moderate (according to the site of the Jordan Trail). If you have fear of heights there can be a little part where you want the guide to help you cross (by maybe just holding your hand or walk between you and the valley), although the rock terrace is ‘improved’ a few years ago for the safety of the hikers.
Length of the hike
The walk takes about 1 to 2 hours from ‘Sjamas area’ in Little Petra up to the Monastery. There the guide will leave you and you can go on with exploring Petra by going down the 800 something stairs.
A ticket for Petra is needed when you take the back road hike!
If you want to arrange a guide and transfer to Little Petra just let me know via this form: