How to think about it
One site, many routes
The Petra archaeological park covers a far larger area than most visitors expect — the main trail alone is several kilometres, and the hiking routes climb onto the surrounding plateaus. There is no way to ‘do it all’ in a day. The right approach is to pick the trails that match your fitness, your time, and what you most want to see, and to pace yourself in the heat.
Below is every major route, with honest distances, times and difficulty. Use it to plan, then read the dedicated pages — the Back Trail and Monastery in particular — for the full detail.
The routes
Every major trail
Main Trail (Siq → Treasury → Royal Tombs)
Easy
- Distance: ~3.5 km each way to the Museum
- Time: 2–3 hrs
Flat, paved in parts, manageable for almost everyone. The spine of any visit.
Monastery (main steps)
Moderate–strenuous
- Distance: ~800 steps up
- Time: 45–60 min up
Steady uphill on uneven rock steps. Best in the cool of morning.
Back Trail (Wadi al-Khayl)
Moderate
- Distance: ~5 km to the Monastery
- Time: 1.5–2 hrs
Gentler gradient, far quieter, open desert scenery. See the Back Trail page.
High Place of Sacrifice
Moderate
Distance: Climb of about 170 m on rock-cut steps
Time: 30–60 min up
Clifftop altar with the best panorama over the city. Descend via Wadi Farasa.
Wadi Farasa (Garden Temple)
Moderate
- Distance: ~2 km
- Time: 1–1.5 hrs
A quieter valley with the Garden Temple, Roman Soldier Tomb and triclinium.
Little Petra (Siq al-Barid)
Easy
- Distance: 9 km north by road
- Time: 1 hr visit
A separate satellite site reached by car, not a walk from the main entrance.
Difficulty levels, explained honestly
| Easy | Flat or gently sloping, paved or smooth. Fine for most visitors and older children. |
| Moderate | Some uphill, uneven ground, longer distances. Needs reasonable fitness and good shoes. |
| Strenuous | Sustained climbs on uneven rock steps in exposed heat. For fit walkers; go early. |
| Total walking | A full day easily reaches 10–15 km. A two-day visit spreads this comfortably. |
Choosing your route
Match the trail to the day
If you have one day
Walk the main trail to the Treasury, the Royal Tombs and the colonnaded street, then choose one climb — either the Monastery or the High Place of Sacrifice, not both. See our one-day plan.
If you have two days
Day one: the main trail and the Monastery (ideally via the Back Trail ). Day two: the High Place of Sacrifice and Wadi Farasa, finishing with Little Petra in the afternoon. This is the sweet spot — see our two-day plan.
If you are a keen hiker
You can link the Back Trail, the Monastery, the High Place of Sacrifice and Wadi Farasa into a long loop in a single day if you start early and carry plenty of water. It is one of the great day-hikes of the Middle East, but it is genuinely demanding — do not underestimate the heat. Our private Petra tours cover these routes, with a licensed local guide available on request.
If you have mobility concerns
The main trail to the Treasury is manageable for most, and golf carts and carriages cover the Siq. The climbs are not advisable on foot, but donkeys offer an alternative up to the Monastery. See our travel tips for the full picture.
See Petra through local eyes
Tell us your dates and travel style and we will craft a private Petra journey — with a local team who knows the city’s quiet corners and a licensed guide on request.
Related tours
Full Day · about 6 hours
Petra Back Trail — Monastery Route Private Hiking Tour
From$255 per group (up to 15)View more & Book now
