This ancient stone village sits 1,200 meters above sea level in Jordan's Wadi Dana. The 500-year-old buildings and local crafts tell stories of Bedouin life.
Dana village sits on the rim of Wadi Dana, a deep canyon that slopes toward Wadi Araba. Built by Bedouin families from Hebron over four centuries ago, its stone buildings reflect Ottoman-era design. The village marks the gateway to Jordan’s largest protected area, the Dana Biosphere Reserve. You can hike through terraced olive groves, follow paths leading to Nabatean-era stone structures, or stay in solar-powered lodges where evening stargazing lets you spot planets like Mars. Temperatures here shift sharply: mornings might start cool at higher elevations, but afternoons in the valley often feel hot and dry.
Trails and Wildlife in Dana Biosphere Reserve
The Dana Biosphere Reserve covers 300 square kilometers, with terrain dropping from high plateaus to desert plains. Over 700 types of plants grow here, including orchids and juniper trees. Birdwatchers can spot species like the Sinai rosefinch and Griffon vulture, while hikers might glimpse Nubian ibex climbing rocky slopes. The Wadi Dana Trail stretches 16 kilometers between Dana Guesthouse and Feynan Ecolodge, taking you past valleys dotted with wildflowers, abandoned copper mines from ancient Egypt, and temporary camps where Bedouin herders sometimes offer mint tea. For shorter walks, try the Nawatef Trail—a 3-kilometer loop passing natural springs and crumbling walls from Roman settlements. The Rummana Trail winds through sandstone cliffs with small caves once used by hermits. All trails must be reserved ahead through the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN). Guided hikes are available most of the year, but guides take breaks during Ramadan.
Where to Stay: Eco-Friendly Options
Dana Guesthouse, managed by the RSCN, has basic rooms with balconies facing the canyon. Meals focus on vegetarian dishes made with produce from nearby farms, like lentils and flatbreads baked in clay ovens. Feynan Ecolodge, a 5-hour hike west, uses solar panels for power and hires staff from Bedouin families in the area. At night, staff light candles in the rooms and lead astronomy talks on the rooftop. Both lodges use clay jars to keep drinking water cool instead of plastic bottles. Over 60% of the money guests spend here goes directly to villages in the reserve, supporting jobs like guiding and handicraft workshops.
History and Local Life in Dana
Dana’s stone houses, built in the 1800s, cling to the edge of the canyon. Many residents moved to nearby towns like Qadisiya in the 1990s to access schools and electricity, leaving parts of the village empty. A group of women from Amman helped restore 70 original buildings using traditional methods, keeping the village’s Ottoman-era appearance. A few Bedouin families still live here seasonally, grazing goats in the reserve during cooler months. Guides from these families teach hikers how to identify edible plants or find hidden water sources. Near the village, you’ll find flint tools from early human settlements, stone channels built by the Nabateans, and mine shafts dug by Egyptian traders thousands of years ago.
Weather and Planning Your Visit
January temperatures in Dana average 9.8°C, while August sees highs near 28.3°C. Even in summer, nights get cool enough to require a jacket. Bring shoes with strong grip for rocky trails and sandals for evenings at the lodges. Carry a refillable water bottle—the reserve discourages single-use plastics. Dana lies one hour north of Petra by car, making it easy to visit for a day or use as a base for longer hikes. Book lodges and trail permits through the RSCN’s website or by calling their office. Local guides like Saleh, who worked as a soldier before becoming a trail expert, can show you less-traveled routes through the canyon. Visiting Dana helps fund projects that protect wildlife and support Bedouin communities.
