The highest mountain in Jordan sits in the far south of the Wadi Rum Protected Area, near the Saudi border. The hike to the summit is a full-day commitment — about three hours up and two hours down, plus the long jeep ride from the village to the trailhead.
The ascent is strenuous but not technical. The path winds through a boulder field and then up increasingly steep switchbacks, with your guide finding the route through what looks like impassable terrain. The last section involves some light scrambling over exposed rock. Bring at least three litres of water per person and start early.
The summit view is extraordinary. To the south, the Saudi desert stretches to the horizon. To the west, on clear days, you can make out the Gulf of Aqaba. The landscape below is pure Wadi Rum — red sand, black rock, and not a single sign of human habitation. A Jordanian flag and a small summit register mark the top. This is one of those climbs where the effort is entirely proportional to the reward.