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Walkopedia Magazine
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Beauty
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28 |
Natural interest |
15 |
Human interest
|
8 |
Charisma |
31 |
Negative points |
(0) |
Total rating |
82 |
Vital statistics
| Length: | 8 or 17km |
| Maximum Altitude: | 1,200m |
| Level of Difficulty: | Moderate |
Contents
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Toward tthe Jordan valley - by William Mackesy -
Forest and Farmland - by William Mackesy
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From Mar Elias - by William Mackesy -
From the Prophet's Trail - by William Mackesy -
From the Prophet's Trail 2 - by William Mackesy -
Mar Elias Basilica - by William Mackesy -
Mar Elias Church - by William Mackesy -
Mar Elias in the distance - by William Mackesy -
Prophet's Trail flora - by William Mackesy -
Prophet's Trail flora 2 - by William Mackesy -
The Prophet's Trail - by William Mackesy -
The Prophet's Trail 2 - by William Mackesy
 "Toward tthe Jordan valley - by William Mackesy")
 "Forest and Farmland - by William Mackesy")
 "From Mar Elias - by William Mackesy")
 "From the Prophet's Trail - by William Mackesy")
 "From the Prophet's Trail 2 - by William Mackesy")
 "Mar Elias Basilica - by William Mackesy")
 "Mar Elias Church - by William Mackesy")
 "Mar Elias in the distance - by William Mackesy")
 "Prophet's Trail flora - by William Mackesy")
 "Prophet's Trail flora 2 - by William Mackesy")
 "The Prophet's Trail - by William Mackesy")
 "The Prophet's Trail 2 - by William Mackesy")
Key information: The Prophet's Trail
A delightful walk which meanders through highland forest harboring interesting wildlife and local traditional farmland (olive and vines, orchards and some crops) to the ruins of two Byzantine churches on a hill above the village where Elijah is said to have been born. Excellent views across the Jordan valley some 1,000ft below.
Walk summary
The Ajloun Highlands are refreshingly cool (well, everything is relative) compared to furnaces of Petra and Wadi Rum. The Ajloun Woodland Reserve was set up in 1988 to protect some fine forests, and is also a reserve for roe dear, wild boar, jackals, hyenas and wolves.
The Prophets Trail is a gem of a walk, scoring high on the Delightful Experience Index. Starting at the reserves visitor centre, it drops through olive and vine groves, then apple orchards, into a fine forest of deciduous and evergreen oak, beautiful-barked strawberry trees, with glades of local sage and wild roses (when we were there in mid May), emerging into the groves and fields of the Melina Valley. Turning left (good rest-spot on a shady bank with views back up the valley), follow another lovely wooded valley up to a slightly disappointing section of road.
You then circle round above a ravine, through fine open woodland with views of the hillock that is Mar Elias (a major hill from the Jordan valley side), to your destination, where Elijah was said to have been born and where the ruins of two Byzantine churches have been excavated. It is a delight to sit under the deep shade and contemplate the vast view across the Jordan Valley towards the West Bank and Israel.
This is an 8 km walk, which takes approaching 4 leisurely hours (including stops and discussions with your guide (ours, was very nice, in his mid 20s). A guide is compulsory and helpful, as the trail frequently veers off onto the faintest of animal tracks.
Other accounts: share your experiences
Your comments on this walk, your experiences and suggestions, and your photos are very welcome. Where appropriate, you will be credited for your contribution.
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Practical information for walking in Jordan, The Prophet's Trail
We have a lot of helpful practical information and tips about this walk, covering everything from the best books and maps, to timing and weather, geting there, possible problems, whether you need a guide and where to find them, and useful websites. This section is only open to members.
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Add your experiences, suggestions and photos. We would be delighted to receive your writing and ideas (which will be attributed appropriately where published).
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Anyone planning an expedition to this place should see further important information about this walk.
Other great walks in Jordan
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Top 100 Walks in Jordan
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Petra Area
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The Prophet's Trail
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Wadi Rum
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Other walks in Jordan
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Ajloun Woodland Reserve
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Dana Area
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Mujib Siq
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Wadi Mujib Nature Reserve
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Petra, Al Deir (Monastery) Circuit
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Petra, Little Petra to Petra
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Petra, Royal Tombs and Wadi al Mudhlim
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Petra, The High Place
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Wadi Rum, Around Jebel Rum
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Wadi Rum, Barrah Canyon
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Wadi Rum, Lawrence's Spring
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Wadi Rum, Wadi Siq Makhras & Siq Um Ishrin
Responsible travel matters, a lot. How you travel will make a real difference - for better or worse. PLEASE consider this when making plans. Read more
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