Jordan - walks, treks, caves, climbs & canyons. 2nd Edition

The 2nd edition of our Jordan book was published in summer 2008. Info on a number of new climbs and treks was received just after the publisher's deadline, plus we added more on our spring 2008 & 9 visits, and some GPS points. We include them here, and in the following pages, working through Jordan, from north to south (trekking info is minimal, due to space limitations).

Any info received in the future that is relevant to this book will be posted on these 'Jordan-update' pages for the benefit of our readers.

The Abraham Path Initiative (API) and the El Ayoun District
We were invited to join the API in spring 2009, to further develop the Ayoun area (just north of Ajloun) byadding new treks and climbs to enhance the district's potential for eco and adventure tourism. Assisted by API and the local people who are very keen to promote this quiet and beautiful part of Jordan, we spent a wonderful three weeks doing exactly that and in the process making many new friends in the villages as well as discovering numerous unique treks and some excellent limestone cliffs.
Most treks are single day, some are 2 days and take the walker down though various eco-systems, from Meditteranean-climate hilltop villages to Pella and the sub-tropical Jordan valley. A few are in thickly forested valleys, a truly special experience in Jordan.
Most importantly, walkers have the opportunity to meet and stay wil the local people, and to hire them as guides should they wish - always worth while for their good company and local knowledge.
Inshallah we will be in Ayoun again in spring 2010, completing work on a guidebook to Treks and Climbs in the district, sponsored by API. Meanwhile, if you would like to walk on the Abraham Path, experience some of the new treks and climbs and enjoy a homestay in the villages, contact Ramez Habash, Country Director, Abraham Path, Jordan. More info in TGO (great Outdoors Mag), Nov 2009.

Top left: Zubia Forest Trail, one of the new delightful forest walks in Ayoun.

Above: Trek to the 'Jesus Cave', a varied trek though valleys and over hills, particularly beautiful in spring.

Left : A new trek to Pella following one of the many pretty valleys down from Ayoun.

Right: Two of the new climbs on the many new quality limestone cliffs discovered in the Ayoun Disrict.

The following pages have more info on other developments in Jordan since March 2008:
Walks in El Aluk Hills (SE of Jerash)
Pella Area
Dead Sea Hills: RSCN Dead Sea Canyons, a new climb in Karak area, GPS points, Wadi Assal, Wadi Numeira, Wadi Jamal-Khanzira,Wadi Jahal and Wadi Feid
Climbs in the Petra area
Treks in the new Jebel Mas’uda Reserve
Wadi Rum & Aqaba Mountains area: a climb near Wadi Rum & Wadi Rum GPS points plus new info on Aqaba Mountains