Things to do in Dana and Feynan

Sunset from the rim

The terraces at Dana village face west down the canyon; arrive an hour before sunset.

The Wadi Dana trail

Descend through four habitat zones to the desert — sandstone formations, acacia, Bedouin camps. Start early; it gets hot at the bottom.

Feynan experiences

Join a Bedouin family for coffee, learn to bake bread on the fire, walk with shepherds, visit the copper mines with a local guide, then look at the stars from the lodge roof.

Village crafts

The RSCN workshops in Dana produce dried fruit, herbal teas and silver jewellery — good souvenirs that support the community.

Hiking from Dana: more trails

Besides the classic descent to Feynan, short trails start from the village and from the Rummana campsite area, with views over the canyon and good birdwatching (look for griffon vultures, Sinai rosefinches and Tristram's starlings). Some routes are guided only; check at the Dana Guest House. In the hot months, start at dawn.

Feynan by night

Feynan Ecolodge's rooftop stargazing sessions use telescopes on clear nights, and the absence of electric light makes the Milky Way vivid.

On to Petra on foot

Experienced hikers continue from Feynan towards Little Petra on the Jordan Trail — a multi-day trek with a guide and support.

Photography

The best light in Dana is late afternoon, when the sun falls into the canyon and lights the coloured sandstone; mornings are good for the village itself. At Feynan, the hour after sunrise and before sunset turns the hills gold and purple.

Trails compared

Feynan's ancient copper

The Feynan area was one of the most important copper-producing regions of the ancient Near East. Mines and slag heaps around Khirbet Faynan and Wadi Ghuweir were worked from the Chalcolithic period through the Iron Age and again under the Romans and Byzantines, when convicts are recorded as labouring in the mines. Walking with a local guide, you see mine entrances, slag heaps black against the sand and the ruins of the Byzantine town. Ask at Feynan Ecolodge or with RSCN for guided walks.

Safety on the trails

• Start early: the lower canyon is hot even in spring and autumn.
• Carry at least 3 litres of water each and sun protection.
• Tell your guesthouse your route and expected arrival time.
• Avoid wadis during and after heavy rain (November–March): flash floods are a real risk.
• Mobile coverage is patchy in the lower canyon.

Village life and crafts

Dana's old stone village dates back several centuries, and its terraces of fruit and olive trees are still farmed by families from the area. RSCN's Nature Shop and workshops employ local women to dry fruit, blend herbal teas and make silver jewellery inspired by the reserve's plants and animals — buying here directly supports the community. Ask at the Dana Guest House about visits to the workshops and short walks through the terraces with a local guide. On the plateau, the Rummana campsite area is known for its sunrise views and griffon vultures circling below.