Jabal Qaroun Trail

Trail overview

The Qaroun Mountain Trail begins on the main road, about 200 meters north of the al-Bayda sewage treatment plant, and concludes at Qaroun Mountain in the Farsh area. Heading westward and then southward, this trail is renowned for its breathtaking landscapes within Petra Archaeological Park. As you hike, you’ll be surrounded by diverse flora, including juniper, oak, wild pistachio, and ratama trees. Along the way, explore notable Nabataean archaeological sites such as rock-cut wine presses, ancient graffiti, petroglyphs of ibexes, and historical footprints. At the Qaroun Mountain viewpoint, savor panoramic vistas of Wadi Araba, Mount Haroun, Wadi Musa, the Taybeh Road, Umm Sayhun, and the Bedouin village of Dibdiba. This viewpoint offers an ideal spot for rest and photography. The hike, while challenging, is immensely rewarding and showcases Petra’s stunning natural beauty. Wear comfortable shoes, bring a hat, plenty of water, and light snacks. Starting early is recommended. Along the trail, you may encounter local Bedouin shepherds and have excellent birdwatching opportunities

Trail Details

Starting Point: Bayda/Water Treatment Plant

Endpoint: Bayda/al Farsh/Jabal Qaroun

Category: Heritage/Environmental/Geological

Distance: 6.3 Km/8268 Steps

Calories Burn: 331 Calories

Duration: 3.30 - 3.45 Hours/Non-stop

Grade: Moderate

Tour: One-way

al-Bayda Wastewater Treatment Plant

The al-Bayda Wastewater Treatment Plant is a crucial infrastructure project managed by the Aqaba Water Company (AWC) and funded by donor contributions along with a 10-20% government stake. Serving a population of around 20,000, the plant processes wastewater from Petra and nearby communities, including Wadi Musa, Tayybeh, Bayda, and Umm Sayhun, through a three-stage treatment process: primary (grit removal and sedimentation), secondary (biological treatment and nitrogen removal), and tertiary (polishing and disinfection).

The plant produces approximately 2,796 m³/day of treated water, which is redirected to 80 farms in the Sadd al-Ahmar area. This recycled water supports the irrigation of alfalfa and other fodder crops, thus bolstering local agriculture and generating employment opportunities. Additionally, a seven-hectare demonstration farm showcases the plant’s effectiveness, with ~100 hectares of nearby land cultivated with various crops and fruit trees.

This project exemplifies successful water reuse and community development, offering a model that can be replicated in other regions.

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.

Winepresses

Uncover the Ancient Winepresses of Bayda 

The Bayda area is renowned for its wine presses, highlighting its role as a major center of wine production in Nabataean culture. To date, 36 wine presses have been discovered in Bayda, mostly situated near or within agricultural fields. This fertile region, home to many of Petra’s farms and vineyards, produced enough wine to supply both the residents of Petra and its visitors.

The wine presses, carved from rock, feature a standardized design with three main sections: a rounded treading floor, a rectangular intermediate vat, and a rounded collecting vat. Grapes were placed on the treading floor and stomped to release their juice, which then flowed into the intermediate vat for initial filtering before being collected in the final vat. Steps carved into the rock leading down to the collecting vat can still be seen.

Wine was not only a staple of daily life but also held spiritual significance for the Nabataeans, associated with deities such as Dionysus, the Greek god of wine. Ritual feasting in banqueting halls near tombs often involved drinking up to 11 cups of wine. Vines were a popular motif in Nabataean art, featured in frescoes like those in Siq al-Barid, as well as on pottery, column capitals, and sculpted figurines.

al-Farsh/Wadi Araba Viewpoint

The al-Farsh viewpoint is celebrated as one of Petra's most breathtaking vantage points. From here, you can enjoy sweeping panoramic views of Wadi Araba, including notable sites like Bir Mathkur, Qasr Umm Ratam, and the ancient Nabataean/Roman gardens. To the south, the view extends to Mount Haroun, Al-Bara, and the Taybeh Road.

This viewpoint is an ideal place to pause and absorb the stunning landscape before retracing your steps along the same trail. From this unique peak, you can also observe ancient Nabataean agricultural terraces on the mountainside, showcasing the region's rich agricultural and pastoral history.

The site features intriguing graffiti and rock art, including depictions of ibexes, Thamudic inscriptions, hunting scenes, early Islamic Kufic writings, and camels. These artworks provide a glimpse into the lives of ancient pastoral-nomads and their interactions with the desert environment.

As a key attraction in Petra, the al-Farsh viewpoint offers a blend of natural beauty and cultural heritage. Its magnificent vistas make it a perfect spot for photographers and nature lovers to experience the region's remarkable history and scenic splendor.

Traditional Houses in Jebel Qaroun

The traditional houses in Jebel Qaroun consist of rooms built from ancient Nabataean stones sourced from a nearby ruined site. Known as "Dirat Ayal Awad," these structures are associated with the Ayal Awad, a branch of the Ammarin tribe that has resided in Al-Bayda for generations. Constructed in traditional style, the houses feature stone and mud walls, with ceilings made of juniper wood and covered with tree branches and mud.

Adjacent to the houses is a small spring used for drinking and watering livestock. Situated in fertile agricultural land, these rooms highlight the Ammarin tribe's practices in cultivating crops such as wheat and barley. The Ayal Awad rooms offer a window into the traditional lifestyle of the Ammarin tribe, showcasing their architectural and agricultural heritage. Visitors can explore the rich history and cultural significance of this ancient community while enjoying the scenic beauty of the surrounding landscape.

Thamudic Inscriptions

A Window into Ancient Arabia

The Thamudic inscriptions offer a fascinating glimpse into the ancient desert life of the Hismä region, near Wädi Ramm (ancient Iram) and Petra in southern Jordan. Dating from around the 2nd century BCE to the 4th century CE, these inscriptions were created by camel-breeding nomads who left thousands of drawings, tribal symbols, and graffiti on the region’s rock faces and stones. Written in an early form of Arabic using the Ancient North Arabian (ANA) script, formerly known as Thamudic, these texts are crucial for studying the pre-Islamic Arabic world.

The inscriptions reveal much about the social and religious practices of their creators. They include personal messages, names, and prayers to Thamudic, Nabataean, and Arabian deities, as well as reflections on love and loss. Notably, they feature remarkable drawings of desert life, including camels and hunting scenes. Today, these inscriptions are not only cultural treasures but also vital historical documents, offering visitors a chance to connect with the rich heritage of ancient Arabia and appreciate the early development of written language.