If you think Jordan is a country of dry, brown desert, get yourself to the gentle, wooded hills of the Ajloun Forest Reserve. It’s a relatively small park, but the slopes are studded with oak and pistachio trees, providing a green lung for the region and a home for roe deer, wild boar, jackals, a wide variety of bird life, and even the occasional wolf. Managed by the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature, the reserve features a series of hiking trails through the hills, many of which pass the farms and olive groves of nearby villages and show a side of Jordanian life not typically seen by visitors. Visit in the spring to walk among the wildflowers, and book one of the delightful wooden chalets near the reserve entrance or a homestay with a local villager if you wish to spend the night.
T8RCGK Valle de Ajloun. Jordania, Oriente Medio
Juan Carlos Munoz/age fotostock
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Head into the Hills at Ajloun Forest Reserve
In the north of Jordan, the Ajloun Forest Reserve provides a variety of trails for keen walkers, whether you’re looking for an easy amble or a sweat-inducing, steep climb. The reserve is home to the endangered roe deer, and the forest here is a mixed woodland of carob, strawberry tree, oak, and pistachio trees, offering plenty of appeal for nature lovers. The RSCN (Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature) who run the reserve have also set up a variety of sustainable income-generating projects for villagers living in the reserve, and many of the hiking trails here combine Ajloun Forest’s nature with visits to these locally-operated businesses. Hike the Soap House Trail for great scenery and the opportunity to watch local women make olive oil soaps, or the Houses Trail to visit all of the RSCN’s workshops. For something a bit more demanding, opt to walk the Prophet’s Trail, which traverses beautiful countryside leading to the historic Mar Elias ruins (where the prophet Elijah is said to have been born).
