Hike the back road to the Monastery
Take the scenic, off the beaten track, hiking trail up to the Monastery from Beidah (Little Petra). You can do this hike perfectly on your own. However, to learn more about Petra, nature and bedouin life it’s a good idea to hire a guide to accompany you on your way up. 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.
Facilitation letter
Until the first of March 2020 there will be maintenance on the back road hike. As a result you need to have a facilitation letter from the Jordan Trail to hike this part of it. You can apply for one for free via their website. Be aware that it takes up to 24 hours for them to send you the letter! The start from the hike is now close to the road from Wadi Musa to Um Sayhoun.
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 1,5 to 2 hours from the porte cabin at the side of the road 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!
Get your guide and transfer arranged
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!
If you want to arrange a guide and transfer to Little Petra just let me know via the below form:
In addition, I can also help you out if you only need a transfer to the start of the hike.