Ed-Deir Trail — Attraction in Maan

The best time to go up the trail is around 2-3 pm and the afternoon, it's the best time to go see the Monastery. First, it’s not so crowded any more and second, the afternoon shines bright at the beautiful façade of the Monastery. The perfect time for a picture as well! This is why we took the Ed-Deir Trail.

The ascent to the Monastery takes around one hour. We crossed the Wadi Musa creek and walked up nearly 800 stone treads. The way through the stony gorge is as colorful as it can be in Petra. Not only because of the red rocks.

Many bedouin shops greeted us in the narrow gorge. We heard that a bedouin family can earn up to 8.000$ per month. That’s what I call desert businessmen!

Don’t buy magnets from those shops (unless you want to support the bedouin of course)! We paid 5$ for a single magnet. The same one was offered much cheaper at the shops in the Visitor’s Center.

For those who are to tired (or lazy) to go the countless steps Petra’s taxis offer a cheap and “comfortable” alternative!

What was funny is that the tourist who are already going down the trail will cheer you up: “Only a couple of steps more.”, or “Only 5 more minutes.” After all, they’ve experienced the tough ascend already. :-) A last staircase struck in the rock and the view opens first towards the magnificent urn and then towards the whole structure - Ad-Dehir, The Monastery. The spectacular façade reminds of the one of the Treasury. It’s 43 m. tall and 47 m. wide. The urn alone...

One of the best hikes in Petra, aprox 900 stairs that take you to the amazing Monastery. Is not an easy one but not too difficult either, you can take your time and stop along the way and admire the views or the beautifully shaped and colored rocks around.

The Ad Deir Trail in Petra is a popular and rewarding hike that leads to the iconic Monastery (Ad Deir), one of Petra’s largest and most impressive monuments. The trail begins near the main colonnaded street and involves climbing approximately 800 stone steps, winding through rugged cliffs and stunning desert landscapes. Though the ascent can be challenging, the breathtaking views and fascinating rock formations along the way make it worthwhile.

At the top, hikers are greeted by the Monastery, a massive rock-cut facade similar in style to the Treasury but even larger and less adorned. The site likely served a religious or ceremonial purpose, and it offers a quiet, awe-inspiring atmosphere compared to Petra’s more crowded areas. From here, there are panoramic views over the Petra basin and surrounding valleys, with additional viewpoints nearby that showcase the expansive desert. The Ad Deir Trail is a must for those who want to experience both Petra’s natural beauty and its...

The trail to Petra's Monastery is no easy trek, but following the stone-carved Ad-Deir trail rewards the arduous trek with unforgettable vistas ending at Petra's second most iconic carving: the Monastery.

While traversing steep uneven stairs, negotiating narrow ledges along cliffs, and traversing bedrock carved by Nabatean engineers, we drank in the panoramas of the tombs and valley ruins patchworking the desert floor.

Stop to catch your breath, pet a cat, and contemplate the rich history along the trail that is still being written today. It's a difficult trail, but not one...