SECTION 404 :MAJDALEIN TO KARAK

  • HIKES IN THE REGION

  • DAY 4: MAJDALEIN TO AL-KARAK

  • Distance: 22.8 km

  • Time: 8 hours

  • Physical Challenge: Moderate

  • Trail Challenge: Moderate

  • Waymarked: No

To download the GPS track, click icon  

The Jordan Trail is a newly established trail, and is not marked. It is therefore our strong recommendation that you hire a local guide for your safety as many sections are remote with limited water sources and at times no connectivity.
By downloading these maps/GPX you take full responsibility for their use and accuracy; Jordan Trail Association does not warrant the accuracy or completeness of the information, materials or the reliability of any maps as they provided AS IS without warranty of any kind, either express or implied, including but not limited to, fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement ;You acknowledge that any reliance on any such maps, shall be at your sole risk and responsibility as Hiking, backpacking, and other outdoor activities all have potential hazards involving risk of injury or death. Outdoor activities have inherent risks and you should ensure you have the skill level and abilities suitable for the activities in Jordan to partake in them and to take all precaution measures.  Check the data on Google Earth or other Apps or Programs before using them.  The Jordan Trail Association shall not be held responsible for any incidents that may occur during your participation in any activity and/or by using any of the maps/GPX.
AGREE
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The Jordan Trail is a newly established trail, and is not marked. It is therefore our strong recommendation that you hire a local guide for your safety as many sections are remote with limited water sources and at times no connectivity.
By downloading these maps/GPX you take full responsibility for their use and accuracy; Jordan Trail Association does not warrant the accuracy or completeness of the information, materials or the reliability of any maps as they provided AS IS without warranty of any kind, either express or implied, including but not limited to, fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement ;You acknowledge that any reliance on any such maps, shall be at your sole risk and responsibility as Hiking, backpacking, and other outdoor activities all have potential hazards involving risk of injury or death. Outdoor activities have inherent risks and you should ensure you have the skill level and abilities suitable for the activities in Jordan to partake in them and to take all precaution measures.  Check the data on Google Earth or other Apps or Programs before using them.  The Jordan Trail Association shall not be held responsible for any incidents that may occur during your participation in any activity and/or by using any of the maps/GPX.
AGREE
close-link
Click Icon to download the map
IMPORTANT NUMBERS

Tourism Police:

Hotline: 117777
What’s App: +962 7 7099 1814

* When contacting Tourism Police for emergency identify that you are hiking the Jordan Trail, state your nationality, location and map name & number.

 

JTA office: +962 6 461 0999

(Working Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Sunday- Thursday)

BASIC INFO

An easy day along the plateau usually on small roads, sometimes passing through the edges of villages not far from the King’s Highway (shops) and eventually reaching the village of Rakin (shops and café). A track then descends pleasantly into Wadi Tawaheen (good views SE to Kerak Castle), beyond which reach another track enters the small but impressive Wadi ez Zaiyatin directly below Kerak Castle. Once across the wadi (usually dry) follow a good track up to the main road, arriving opposite the castle’s Christian Gate and Cemetery, where steps lead up into the old town, then streets continue up past shops and cafés to the square adjacent to the main castle, (shops, cafés, hotels).

TRANSPORTATION
  • Buses depart from the Amman’s south bus station (Mu’ta university) to Karak. Minibuses leave from east side of Karak’s old city to bus station (head in south-bound direction)
  • From Karak, take a taxi to other points on this stage.
LOCAL CONTACTS / ACCOMMODATIONS
  • Falcon Rock Hotel, Saif Mdanat, +962 798816015
  • Bait Al Jameed, Home Stay, Amani Al Bashabsha: +962 772034933, Ayat Al Bashabsha: +962 795643171, JT Pass Stamp: Karak
  • Al Qairwan Hotel, Moaweyah Abo Al-Fielat: +962 795250216, Zaid Abu Al- Failat: +962 795706701, JT Pass Stamp: Karak
  • Towers Castle Hotel, +962 3 235 4293
  • Adel Al Halabi Restaurant, +962 32352210
THINGS TO SEE
  • Majdalein Village ruins.
  • Al-Yarout
  • Ar-Rabba
  • Rakin
  • Karak Castle.
  • Al-Madrasa Tower (School Tower).
FOOD & WATER

Food:

  • Shops and restaurants sell food in villages along the spaced along the stage (Al-Yarout, ar-Rabba, Faqua, Rakin and Karak).
  • Karak is a full service town with restaurants, ATM, etc.
    • Notable Syrian restaurant: Adel Al Halabi Restaurant on King Hussein St., not far from castle (tel: +962 3 235 2210)

Water:

  • Water is available at villages every 3km along way.
  • At the spring just below Karak, it is recommended not to consume as seepage could occur from town above.
TIPS & SAFETY

Tips:

  • Most of day involves easy walking on roads. After the village of Rakin, the path descends on 4×4 down into wadi, and then back up to Karak on variety of trails, some of which are very steep at end of the stage. One section of the footpath before Karak to passes a dry waterfall with a sketchy section with loose footing. This section is washed out and exposed, and will probably erode more. The JTA is working to address the situation, and can be contacted to determine its current status. If you are severely scared of slippery trails and heights, consider skipping this section.
  • Consider skipping the roads sections if you’er short on time. Many minibuses run the route between Majdalein and Karak.

Safety Info:

  • Exposed edges – On the final climb to Karak, some of the trails are very steep, and one section of footpath to pass a dry waterfall, which has a sketchy section that will turn some people around. This section is washed out and exposed, and will probably erode more. See “Tips” above.
  • Flash flood dangers – crossing Wadi Karak
  • Loose footing – Footing is loose at exposed section near the dry waterfall before Karak.

REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION

We’re still collecting this information.  Do you know something that might be helpful?  Share it with us!

For general information on transportation in Jordan, click here.

The Jordan Trail is a newly established trail, and is not marked. It is therefore our strong recommendation that you hire a local guide for your safety as many sections are remote with limited water sources and at times no connectivity.
By downloading these maps/GPX you take full responsibility for their use and accuracy; Jordan Trail Association does not warrant the accuracy or completeness of the information, materials or the reliability of any maps as they provided AS IS without warranty of any kind, either express or implied, including but not limited to, fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement ;You acknowledge that any reliance on any such maps, shall be at your sole risk and responsibility as Hiking, backpacking, and other outdoor activities all have potential hazards involving risk of injury or death. Outdoor activities have inherent risks and you should ensure you have the skill level and abilities suitable for the activities in Jordan to partake in them and to take all precaution measures.  Check the data on Google Earth or other Apps or Programs before using them.  The Jordan Trail Association shall not be held responsible for any incidents that may occur during your participation in any activity and/or by using any of the maps/GPX.
AGREE
close-link

The Jordan Trail is a newly established trail, and is not marked. It is therefore our strong recommendation that you hire a local guide for your safety as many sections are remote with limited water sources and at times no connectivity.
By downloading these maps/GPX you take full responsibility for their use and accuracy; Jordan Trail Association does not warrant the accuracy or completeness of the information, materials or the reliability of any maps as they provided AS IS without warranty of any kind, either express or implied, including but not limited to, fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement ;You acknowledge that any reliance on any such maps, shall be at your sole risk and responsibility as Hiking, backpacking, and other outdoor activities all have potential hazards involving risk of injury or death. Outdoor activities have inherent risks and you should ensure you have the skill level and abilities suitable for the activities in Jordan to partake in them and to take all precaution measures.  Check the data on Google Earth or other Apps or Programs before using them.  The Jordan Trail Association shall not be held responsible for any incidents that may occur during your participation in any activity and/or by using any of the maps/GPX.
AGREE
close-link