Hike the Back Trails of Petra Like a Pro

To hike Petra's advanced routes, you must enter through the 'Back Door' via Little Petra to avoid the crowds and secure a local Bedouin guide for the steep, unmarked climbs. These trails, like the ascent to the High Place of Sacrifice or the off-trail route to the Monastery, require sturdy hiking boots and at least 3 liters of water per person.

1. Arrange the Back Door entry. Take a taxi from Wadi Musa to Little Petra (Siq al-Barid) at 6:00 AM. From there, hire a local guide or follow the trail markers heading toward the Monastery; this puts you inside the park before the main gate crowds arrive.
2. Secure a local guide for the high routes. For trails like the Jabal Haroun climb or the rugged ridge routes above the Royal Tombs, hire a B'doul guide. They know the unstable sandstone paths and can navigate the dangerous drops that aren't on Google Maps.
3. Time your descent. Advanced trails involve significant scrambling. Plan to be off the high ridges by 3:00 PM; the light changes quickly, and the sandstone becomes slippery and harder to track as shadows grow.
4. Use the 'Al-Khubtha' trail for the best view. Instead of the main road, take the trail starting behind the Royal Tombs. It is a steep, 90-minute uphill climb that puts you directly on the cliff edge overlooking the Treasury from above.

Do I really need a guide for the back trails?

Technically, you can hike the Al-Khubtha trail alone, but for the ridge routes and the Jabal Haroun climb, a guide is necessary for safety and to ensure you don't wander into restricted archaeological zones.

How do I get water on the trail?

There are no reliable water sources inside the park. Carry everything you need from Wadi Musa. Small Bedouin stalls sell bottled water, but prices increase significantly the further you hike into the park.