Trekking in the Middle East
Long-distance trekking has flourished across the Middle East, with several countries developing signposted national trails. Jordan’s cross-country Jordan Trail links the Dead Sea, canyons, and Petra in one epic route, while Turkey’s Lycian Way traces the Mediterranean coast past ancient ruins over hundreds of kilometres.
Iran’s mountains offer everything from valley walks in the Alamut to high traverses of the Alborz and Zagros, and Oman’s mountain plateaus deliver dramatic canyon-rim and village-to-village hikes. Shorter but spectacular trails climb to volcanic summits and cross the fertile Golan and Galilee highlands.
The best trekking seasons are spring and autumn for the deserts and coasts, and summer for the high mountains, when snowbound passes finally open.
Trails & Long-Distance Walks#
Lycian Way, Turkey One of the world’s classic long-distance trails, running some 500 kilometres along the Turquoise Coast past ancient Lycian tombs, pine forests, and hidden coves. Way-marked and walkable in sections, it links beaches, ruins, and mountain villages.
Jordan Trail (Dana to Petra), Jordan The most celebrated segment of Jordan’s cross-country trail, descending from the Dana highlands through desert canyons to arrive at Petra on foot. Multi-day hiking with village homestays and Bedouin camps makes it a bucket-list route.
Alamut & Alborz, Iran Trekking through the Valley of the Assassins beneath ruined castles, with routes climbing into the high Alborz toward Damavand. Green valleys, mud-brick villages, and dramatic ridgelines reward multi-day walkers.
Jebel Shams, Oman The Balcony Walk clings to the rim of Arabia’s Grand Canyon, passing abandoned cliff-hugging villages to a viewpoint over the chasm. Longer routes cross the plateau between traditional mountain settlements.
Mount Ararat, Turkey A multi-day trekking ascent of Turkey’s highest peak, camping on the flanks of the glaciated volcano before a dawn summit push. Legend and sweeping border-country views make it an unforgettable climb.
Golan Heights, Israel Volcanic plateau trails wind past waterfalls, streams, and old fortifications with views across the Galilee and beyond. Spring wildflowers and cool highland air make it a rewarding walking region.
Toubkal Circuit For trekkers ranging beyond the core region, the Atlas offers multi-day walks through Berber villages to North Africa’s highest summit. Well-trodden trails and mountain refuges support the ascent.
Wadi Rum, Jordan Beyond climbing, the desert offers multi-day trekking and scrambling between sandstone massifs, rock bridges, and hidden canyons. Bedouin guides lead walkers to springs, inscriptions, and remote camps under brilliant night skies.
Dhofar & Jebel Akhdar, Oman The southern mountains and Green Mountain plateau offer village-to-village walking, terraced-field paths, and canyon descents. Cooler altitudes and, in Dhofar, monsoon-green slopes make Oman a walker’s surprise.
Kaçkar Mountains, Turkey Turkey’s premier alpine trekking range rises above the Black Sea, with glacial lakes, wildflower meadows, and traditional highland pastures. Multi-day routes cross high passes between stone villages in a misty, green landscape unlike the rest of the country.
Wadi Mujib, Jordan The dramatic canyon draining into the Dead Sea offers wet trekking, scrambling, and swimming up a slot gorge between towering sandstone walls. The Siq trail through rushing water is one of the region’s most exhilarating adventure hikes.
Alborz high routes & Mount Ararat approaches, Iran Beyond Alamut, the high Alborz offers ridge treks toward Damavand and remote valley walks, while the approaches to Ararat span the Turkish-Iranian borderlands. These high, wild routes reward self-reliant walkers with sweeping summit-country views.