SECTION 102: ZIGLAB TO BEIT IDIS
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)
The way heads south from the Sharhabil bin Hassneh gate rising gently around hills directly above the sub sea level agricultural plain of the Jordan Rift Valley to which it briefly descends, passing by fields before rising into the hills. Continuing south, paths and tracks cross the hilltops before a good track descends SW to the hot springs and natural arch beyond which a country lane leads to the Greco-Roman ruins of Pella with the Rest House on the hill above and the Countryside Hotel and homestays in the village of Tabgat Fahl below. We continue up the side of the impressive valley of Wadi el Jirim directly behind the ruins to emerge through pine trees onto upland meadows. Still following the line of the valley up, now called Wadi Sir you pass the ruins of a Byzantine Church and on to the ‘Jesus Cave’ before heading for the village of Beit Idis.
- Homestay, the Golden Spikes Association, Fadi Meqdadi,+962772114138
- Wild Camp, Yehya Mubarak, +962787443710
- Pella Countryside Hotel, Mohammad Jawahrah, +962797055901, www.pellacountrysidehotel.com
- Homestay, Beit Al Fannan, +962776667660, barakadestinations.com
- Homestay, Mohammad Al Dwaikat, +962772293291 , JT Pass Stamp Rasoun
- The Jordan Valley
- Bird Migrations
- Natural stone arch
- Hot springs
- Pella ruins
- The “Jesus Cave” or “Olive Press Cave”
- Beit Idis
Food:
- Tabqat Fahel – shops (off route)
- Beit Idis – shops
Water:
- Qatara Spring (purify before drinking)
- No water confirmed as available at the Pella Visitor’s Center. Tabqat Fahel is located nearby off route.
- Various houses throughout the day.
- Beit Idis
Tips:
- Be prepared for a long distance with a steep climb near the beginning, followed later by a long climb uphill from Pella out of the Jordan Valley.
- Route is waymarked and used frequently.
Safety Info:
- Exposed edges – A few short sections soon after Ein Um Qais and after Pella
- Flash flood dangers – Crossing wadis, as well as a few parts of Wadi Sir where narrow, but generally not that risky.
- Animals – Watch for shepherd dogs.
- Dehydration/heat exhaustion – This is an issue at lower elevations, but not as bad as the previous day as hottest part of the day is higher in elevation. After Pella, more from large oak trees can be found.
- Military base – Steer clear of military area just before Pella, sticking to the marked path.
