Back Trail / al Dayr Trail

Trail overview

The ad-Dayr back way hiking trail is a captivating 7-kilometer route renowned for its stunning beauty. Starting at Siq al-Barid in al-Bayda, this trail meanders through diverse landscapes, including agricultural areas and rugged terrain, featuring challenging ascents and descents that promise an adventurous experience.

Along the hike, you’ll encounter Petra’s rich history, with opportunities to explore fascinating sites such as Little Petra, the ancient Neolithic village of al-Bayda, and the Bronze Age settlement of Umm Saysaban. Enjoy the vibrant sandstone mountains and diverse vegetation, including Juniper and Oak trees.

As you near the end of your journey, the final ascent up the ad-Dayr back way stairs offers breathtaking views of Wadi Araba and Wadi Marwan to the west. Finally, the trail culminates with a dramatic sight of the monastery’s impressive 48-meter-tall rock-cut façade, creating a memorable conclusion to your hike.

To enhance your hike, conserve energy, stay hydrated, wear comfortable footwear and a hat, and start early. This trail also provides a unique opportunity to experience Bedouin culture and visit the monastery with fewer crowds.

Trail Details

Starting Point: Bayda/Siq al Barid

Endpoint: Petra/al Dayr

Category: Heritage/Environmental/Geological

Distance: 7 Km/9186 Steps

Calories Burn: 367 Calories

Duration: 3.15 - 3.30 Hours/Non-stop

Grade: Moderate

Tour: One-way

Siq al-Barid, Bayda

Explore Siq al-Barid: Petra’s Northern Gateway

Located in Petra's northern suburb, Siq al-Barid served as a crucial resting place for trade caravans traveling between southern Arabia and Gaza. Caravans would stop here to rest, eat, and conduct business in the comfortable, shaded areas provided.

Often called ‘Little Petra,’ Siq al-Barid features a natural cleft in the rock, similar to the main Siq but on a smaller scale, which forms the entrance to the area. This gated complex includes a network of cisterns and dams, along with dining halls and intricately carved facades. These amenities catered to the needs of traders, with the cisterns providing essential water and Bayda being a hub of agricultural production.

The site also boasts several tricliniums or dining halls, which may have been used for welcoming visitors and conducting ritual feasts. The practice of organized feasting was well-documented by the ancient writer Strabo, who described how the Nabataeans would host communal meals with musical entertainment. Excavations have uncovered pottery statues representing musicians, which likely replicate the performances at these feasts and provide insight into the instruments used at the time.

Bayda Neolithic Village

Step Back in Time at Bayda Neolithic Village 

Located just 7 kilometers north of the Petra Visitor Center, Bayda Neolithic Village is one of Jordan's oldest settlements, dating back to the early Neolithic Period (8500–5500 B.C.). The site was meticulously excavated by D. Kirkbride from the British School of Archaeology in Jerusalem over seven seasons between 1957 and 1968, with a final season in 1983.

During the 10th to 9th millennia BC, the Natufian people established a seasonal camp at Bayda, using locally sourced flint for their weapons and tools. The site reveals significant architectural development through six distinct phases. Early structures included circular houses with stone walls and a central wooden post supporting a roof made of wood, reeds, and clay. These early homes still show visible postholes and grooves. Later, rectangular houses with plastered interiors emerged, reflecting advances in construction techniques.

Nearby, a small area features basins, standing stones, and paved enclosures, believed to have served as a sanctuary. The inhabitants of Bayda engaged in hunting, gathering wild plants, and also cultivating barley and wheat while keeping goats and sheep.

Explore Bayda Neolithic Village to uncover the rich history and evolution of one of the region's earliest communities.

Umm Saysaban

Discover the Early Bronze Age Settlement of Umm Saysaban    

Perched on a scenic plateau overlooking Wadi Araba, Umm Saysaban dates back to the Early Bronze Age (3100–2300 BC) and is accessible via the back road of the monastery. This ancient settlement provides valuable insights into early life in the Petra region.

Excavations at the site have uncovered several stone houses, offering a glimpse into ancient domestic life. Inside, archaeologists found various fireplaces, tools for daily activities, and storage jars used for cereals, peas, lentils, and oil. The discovery of querns for grinding grain and stone chisels further enriches our understanding of the daily practices of its inhabitants. These findings shed light on the economic activities, social organization, and mobility patterns of the ancient residents.

Surrounded by protective walls, the settlement likely housed a small community of up to 80 people. Evidence suggests a nomadic lifestyle, with residents possibly relocating to warmer regions during winter or engaging in seasonal activities such as agriculture, herding, and trade. The discoveries at Umm Saysaban offer crucial insights into the early Bronze Age societies that influenced the Petra region.      

ad-Dayr Monument

Carved deeply into the cliff face of Jabal ad-Dayr, the facade, traditionally known as the Monastery, is one of Petra's largest and most impressive monuments, measuring 46.77 meters wide and 48.3 meters high. It was constructed based on the design of Al-Khazna, but instead of bas-reliefs, niches were created to house sculptures. Originally, the area in front of the facade was enclosed by a columned portico. Inside, the space features two side benches and an altar against the rear wall. It was likely used as a biclinium for religious meetings and rituals. Construction probably took place during the late 1st century to early 2nd century AD, under King Rabel II. An inscription found nearby suggests it may have been dedicated to the divine King Obodas I (circa 96–95 BC). The monument is believed to have been a significant religious site during its time, serving as a place of worship and gatherings for the community. The combination of architectural elements and historical significance makes it a unique Nabataean monument in Petra. The hall was later repurposed as a Christian chapel, with crosses carved into the rear wall, which is how the monument acquired its name, "Monastery" (dayr in Arabic).

The Cultural Heritage Village al-Bayda

The Cultural Heritage Village al-Bayda, a key part of Petra’s holistic conservation strategy, offers a forward-thinking approach to sustainable tourism and community development. Situated near Little Petra, this modern village, recently developed by the Petra Development and Tourism Region Authority (PDTRA), is designed to boost the local economy and preserve the area’s cultural significance.

The village features a main plaza and market, an open theatre, and an art center, along with a heritage center and a culture and education center. Visitors can enjoy traditional restaurants, outdoor cafes, and a variety of seasonal activities. Additional amenities include a dedicated administration annex and enhancements for waterway protection to ensure environmental sensitivity.

Crucially, the village serves as a tourism hub that enriches the visitor experience while easing pressure on Petra’s archaeological park. It provides valuable economic opportunities for locals and a platform for showcasing traditional crafts and cultural heritage. Overall, the village is a sustainable and culturally immersive destination, promoting responsible tourism practices and preserving the region’s natural and cultural resources for future generations.

The Nabataean Inscription

Bridging Cultures and Scripts

The Nabataean inscriptions offer a fascinating glimpse into the linguistic and cultural practices of the Nabataeans, who thrived across a vast region from the Arabian Peninsula to the Mediterranean. Initially speaking an early form of Arabic, the Nabataeans adopted Aramaic, the dominant language of the Near East, to facilitate trade and communication. Greek, the international lingua franca, was also used, highlighting their cosmopolitan interactions.

The Nabataeans adapted the Aramaic script into a cursive form, which evolved into the modern Arabic script. Their alphabet, consisting of 22 letters, was written from right to left, with a mix of separated and linked letters. Inscriptions are found on a variety of materials, including rocks, metals, and leather, with thousands documented across their kingdom and beyond, including Italy and the Mediterranean islands.

The oldest Nabataean inscription discovered is from Elusa in the Negev, dating to the reign of Aretas I (169 BC). In Petra, the Aslah Triclinium inscription, dated to 95 BC, is the earliest example. Despite the vast number of inscriptions, which include names, trade contracts, and legal documents, there is a scarcity of Nabataean historical and literary texts. The inscriptions, often bilingual in Aramaic and Greek, reflect a blend of archaic elements, Arabic influences, and Greek terms related to governance and architecture. Many inscriptions remain unread, promising further insights into the Nabataean civilization.