The Middle East and North Africa hold a beauty that reveals itself slowly — not in cities or monuments, but in the open silence of their landscapes. From the red deserts of Jordan to the cedar forests of Lebanon, the region’s hiking trails draw you into places where time feels suspended. Each path carries traces of history, solitude, and a kind of stillness that’s becoming harder to find.
Wadi Rum, Jordan
In Jordan’s far south, Wadi Rum’s ochre valleys and sculpted cliffs stretch into silence. The 120 km Wadi Rum Trail revives old Bedouin routes across sandstone and granite terrain.
Walking here isn’t just about the desert—it’s about following paths once used by traders and shepherds, guided by local Bedouin who keep the desert’s rhythm alive. The stillness and scale make each step feel timeless.
Jebel Shams, Oman
Nicknamed the “Mountain of the Sun,” Jebel Shams towers above Oman’s Hajar range. Its Balcony Walk trail (W6) hugs the rim of a vast canyon often compared to the Grand Canyon.
The hike starts at Al Khitaym village, passing cliffside ruins and breathtaking drops. Cool air, endless stone layers, and the sound of wind make this a contemplative climb.
Mount Sinai, Egypt
On the Sinai Peninsula, this 11 km hike leads to one of the region’s most sacred peaks. Many begin before dawn, climbing rock-hewn steps to watch sunrise over the mountains.
The moment the first light spills across the desert, everything below feels still. It’s a pilgrimage in motion — one that blends exhaustion, awe, and peace.
Talassemtane National Park, Morocco
Near Chefchaouen, Talassemtane’s blue-green valleys hide waterfalls, cedar forests, and the rock bridge known as God’s Bridge. The trails wind through forested slopes and rushing rivers, offering hikers a softer, greener Morocco. Akchour’s waterfall is a favorite endpoint — cool mist after a sunlit climb.
Al Shouf Cedar Reserve, Lebanon
Lebanon’s largest nature reserve protects ancient cedar groves on the western Mount Lebanon range. Some trees here are nearly 2,000 years old. Trails like the Maasser-Barouk route offer forest serenity and sweeping views of the Bekaa Valley. Between the scent of cedar and mountain air, it’s easy to forget how close Beirut really is.
To hike across the MENA region is to see how landscapes hold on to memory — of travellers and of ordinary people simply passing through. Each trail tells a story that isn’t finished, and every step folds you into it.
What unites them isn’t geography, but the sense that these places, in all their contrasts, still belong to those willing to walk, listen, and look closely.
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