Petra Authority launches new hiking trails to showcase Bedouin heritage, sustainable tourism

PETRA — The Petra Development and Tourism Region Authority (PDTRA) has introduced a new tourism route, celebrating its launch with an inaugural hike aimed at promoting eco-tourism, cultural heritage, and economic opportunities for the local Bedouin community. 

The Khurmah Trail is part of an extensive network of 27 hiking trails recently developed or rehabilitated by the PDTRA. According to Chief Commissioner of the PDTRA Fares Braizat, the initiative includes three trails within the Petra Archaeological Park, while 24 others extend beyond its boundaries. 

“Today, we are hiking the trail of Khurmah, which takes almost a day and ends in a Bedouin tent, offering an authentic experience operated by the local community,” Braizat told The Jordan Times. 

The trail runs from Al-Rajef and Daghlah to Masoudah, where it is managed by the Jabal Masoudah Cooperative Association, a locally owned organisation dedicated to preserving Bedouin traditions and fostering economic growth. It leads to Beit Al Sa’idiyyin, a newly inaugurated cultural and hospitality hub, opened by the Chief Commissioner of the PDTRA on Monday. The event was attended by the Canadian Ambassador to Jordan Tarik Khan, the Commissioner for Infrastructure and Investment, Mohammed Habahbeh, the UNDP Resident Representative in Jordan, Randa Abu Hassan, and notable figures from the Daghlah region and local residents. 

Preserving heritage and locals through immersive hikes

Beyond offering stunning landscapes and an immersive hiking experience, the trail initiative aims to support the local economy. 

“One of the major contributions is the representation of Bedouin culture,” Braizat noted. “The Bedouin heritage of Petra and Wadi Rum is recognised by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage since 2008, and we want to showcase it to the world as an immersive hospitality experience.”

Visitors will not only visit Petra’s breathtaking geological formations but also engage with Bedouin life, traditions, and hospitality. The initiative ensures that tourism directly benefits local communities, aligning with broader sustainable tourism goals. 

Khurmah Trail : a Journey through time

The Khurmah Trail, spanning 14 kilometres, provides an adventure through diverse landscapes and historical sites. Starting from the village of Al-Rajef, 25 kilometres south of the Petra Visitor Centre, the hikers journey westward through the Samaan area before reaching the trailhead at Arqoub Al-Ghanimat. Along the way, they encounter remnants of Nabatean water systems, archaeological ruins, and stunning natural rock formations. 

Notable historical sites along the trail include Al-Munqata’a, a sating from the Chalcolithic period featuring ancient flint tools and pottery fragments, Wadi Khurmah, a valley known for its striking rock formations and Edomite-period artifacts, Jabal Qala’a, home to a Nabatean water reservoir, Qulai’ah, an Iron Age settlement from the 7th century BC showcasing fortifications and ancient pottery, and Al-Sada, a site revealing Palaeolithic and Nabatean habitation, with well-preserved homes and agricultural remnants. The trail concludes in Masoudah, where visitors can rest in a Bedouin tent and enjoy traditional Jordanian hospitality. 

“Most of the trails that we have rehabilitated and now introduced to our visitors will be posted on our website ‘Visit Petra’. Those hikes are suitable for children aged 10 and above. Families can enjoy the scenery and unique geological formations. They can also learn about the topography of Jordan and archaeology that extends beyond Petra,” Braizat told the Jordan Times. 

The Petra Authority’s efforts in expanding its trail network reflect a commitment to eco-tourism, cultural preservation, and sustainable development. By integrating local communities into tourism initiatives, the project ensures that economic benefits are shared while offering visitors an enriching, authentic experience.