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.