The Petra Development and Tourism Region Authority (PDTRA) presented a new tourist route, celebrating its launch with an inaugural walk aimed at promoting ecotourism, 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 and provides a new alternative to enjoy Petra, one of the New 7 Wonders of the World since 2007.
According to PDTRA Chief Commissioner Fares Braizat, the initiative includes three trails within the Petra Archaeological Park, while another 24 extend beyond its limits.
“Today we walked the Khurmah trail, which lasts almost a day and ends in a Bedouin store, which offers an authentic experience managed by the local community,” Braizat told The Jordan Times.
The trail goes from Al-Rajef and Daghlah to Masoudah, where it is managed by the Jabal Masoudah Cooperative Association, a locally owned organization dedicated to preserving Bedouin traditions and promoting economic growth. Drive to Beit Al Sa’idiyyin, a cultural and hotel center recently opened by the Chief Commissioner of the PDTRA.
Preserving heritage and locals through immersive walks
In addition to offering stunning landscapes and an immersive hiking experience, the trail initiative aims to support the local economy.
“One of the main contributions is the representation of the Bedouin culture,” said Braizat. “The Bedouin heritage of Petra and Wadi Rum has been recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage since 2008, and we want to show it to the world as an immersive hospitality experience,” he added.
Visitors will not only get to know the impressive geological formations of Petra, but they will also interact with Bedouin life, traditions and hospitality. The initiative ensures that tourism directly benefits local communities, aligning itself with broader objectives of sustainable tourism.
Khurmah Route: a journey through time
The 14-kilometer-long Khurmah trail offers an adventure through diverse landscapes and historical sites. Starting from the village of Al-Rajef, 25 kilometers south of the Petra Visitor Center, hikers travel west through the Samaan area before reaching the beginning of the trail in Arqoub Al-Ghanimat. Along the way, you will find remains of Nabataean water systems, archaeological ruins and impressive natural rock formations.
Among the outstanding historical sites along the trail are Al-Munqata’a, which dates from the Chalcolithic period and features ancient flint tools and ceramic fragments, Wadi Khurmah, a valley known for its impressive rock formations and artifacts from the Edomite period, Jabal Qala’a, home to a Nabataean water reservoir, Qulai’ah, an Iron Age settlement of the 7th century BC that exhibits fortifications and ancient ceramics, and Al-Sada, a site that reveals Paleolithic and Nabataean dwellings, with well-preserved houses and agricultural remains. 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 presented to our visitors are published on our website: Visita Petra. These walks are suitable for children from 10 years old. Families will be able to enjoy the landscape and the unique geological formations. They will also be able to learn about the topography of Jordan and the archaeology that extends beyond Petra,” Braizat told the Jordan Times.
The Petra Authority’s efforts to expand its trail network reflect a commitment to ecotourism, cultural preservation and sustainable development. By integrating local communities into tourism initiatives, the project ensures that economic benefits are shared and at the same time offers visitors an enriching and authentic experience.