Getting Around
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Hiking in Ajloun
The Ajloun Nature Reserve is a well-connected site for hiking. The RSCN, Wild Jordan and the full-time staff at the reserve have recently come together and formulated different trails for visitors interested in having a hiking holiday in Ajloun.
Bungalows and cabins
There are fully equipped tented bungalows and newly made cabins at the campsite for those interested, and can take a hiking holiday while enjoying the lush woodlands.
The campsite has a fully eqipped restaurant, so no worries there with plenty of food and hot showers so hikers can concentrate on enjoying the trails around the 12-kilomer reserve which was established in northern Jordan in 1989.
Five Trails
There are five trails: A short trail just beyond the campsite and back; there is the Soap-makers Trail which is a 6-7 kilometer hike, its clearly marked so visitors can walk on their own or have a guide with them; there is the 12-kilometer Village Orchards Trail of hiking between local villages; and the Prophet's Trail, an 8.5 kilometer hike that starts from the Visitor's Center through woods, crossing roads, hills more woods and valleys till you reach Prophet Eligha's monument on a distant hill-top.
These trails have been developed for international visitors who believe in eco-tourism and want to hike through different environmental terrains. Its well worthwhile a holiday for those who want to get away from city life and want the piece and quite of the environment.
At the Ajloun Nature reserves there is lots and lots of oak, pistachio and wild strawberry trees on uneven and hilly grounds that can be strenous at times, but very reinvograting at times.
The twists and turns of the trails, the hikes between thick foilage, open space, tufts under your feet as well as stones and rocks makes the walking particularly exciting especially because of the downhill, uphill and walks on an uneven ground in between the panoramic woodlands.
Wild life
During daylight animals like badgers, foxes and wild boars are difficult to find and there are four types of snakes in the reserve that are non-poison.
Criss-crossing villages
These trails have especially been made to criss-cross local villages to show the interaction between nature, the wildlife and the local community. On the Soap-maker's Trail for instance, hikers can be received at the Soap-Makers House where traditional soap-making is made.
Helping the community
There are 6 villages around this trail, and a good few are employed in the Soap Workshop that produces other fragarents such as fruit soaps, lavender and pomegrante which can be sold to visitors, the shop at the reserve or in other RSCN outlets in Amman and around the country.
Prophet's Trail
The Prophet's Trail is a rambling excercise of landscapes, woodlands, and villages crossing asphalted roads. There is a donkey on this trail that carries water bottles and light refreshments for the harsh terrains of foot digging and foot grips you encounter while on different parts of the trail.
If you leave the campsite at 8 in the morning you can be sure to get to Tel Mar Elias by 12:30 and have a good rest. On all these long hikes, a bus can pick you up on different points in the trails.
This trail can go right up till the Ajloun Castle which is another 4-hour walk.
