Dana — Tucked away among the mountains of Dana, with their distinctive pink rock formations, springs and ancient archaeological remains, Al-Nawatef stands out as one of the notable tourism sites surrounding the Dana Biosphere Reserve.
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Despite its natural and historical attractions, the site still needs greater visibility on Jordan’s domestic tourism map, along with more systematic documentation and promotion to introduce visitors to its features.
The Al-Nawatef trail offers a different experience for hiking, climbing and long-distance trekking enthusiasts. Visitors pass through mountain paths, panoramic viewpoints and rock formations of varying shapes and colors before reaching springs, caves and archaeological sites, where natural landscapes intersect with evidence of ancient human settlement.
According to the Jordan Tourism Board, the trail starts in the Al-Barrah area and passes through mountains, springs, natural formations and ancient archaeological remains before reaching Al-Nawatef and the lodge area. The Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature includes the route among the trails of the Dana Biosphere Reserve and estimates that it takes approximately two to three hours to complete, with a local guide recommended.
Ous Al-Marayat, a tourism trail expert in Tafilah, said Al-Nawatef is distinctive because it combines mountain landscapes, rock formations, caves and Nabataean tombs. This makes the trail more than a conventional excursion, turning it into an opportunity for environmental exploration and learning about history and the relationship between people and geography.
He added that the challenge of navigating the mountain trail gives the experience another dimension, appealing to visitors passionate about nature and adventure. He stressed the importance of introducing visitors to trail culture and responsible environmental practices, including protecting soil, vegetation and wildlife and respecting local communities, so that tourists become partners in protecting the site and ambassadors for it.
Historically, Al-Nawatef reveals successive layers of human interaction with the area. Historian and writer Suleiman Al-Qawabe and maps of the region point to the presence of Nabataean tombs, archaeological remains, structures, channels and water basins, indicating that water, agriculture, pastoralism and human settlement were integral to life in this mountainous environment in ancient times.
Historian and writer Dr. Ishaq Ayal Salman said Al-Nawatef represents a site where natural value and historical heritage exist side by side. Its stepped mountain terrain, rock formations, water sources and architectural and archaeological remains give it genuine potential to become a tourism destination in its own right as part of Tafilah’s tourism offering.
The Al-Nawatef Eco Camp is also an important part of the area’s tourism experience. It provides nature-based accommodation for visitors exploring the region, alongside an experience inspired by the local and Bedouin environment. The camp represents one component of community-based tourism that could help turn the area’s natural and cultural assets into economic opportunities for local residents.
Despite these attractions, Al-Nawatef needs stronger tourism promotion and more systematic historical documentation. The area has not yet received sufficient specialized research and documentation to introduce visitors to its history, trails, natural formations and tourism potential.
Tourism and heritage enthusiasts say there is a need to include Al-Nawatef more prominently on local tourism maps and programs and connect it with other trails. They also called for the production of informational materials, photographs, maps and digital routes to help visitors explore the area while supporting guides and local communities in providing a safe and sustainable tourism experience.
Ayal Salman said the name Al-Nawatef may be linked to the Arabic root “natafa,” associated with water and droplets, particularly given the abundance of springs in the area. However, he stressed that this remains a linguistic possibility rather than an established historical fact until it is documented through local or historical sources.
He added that Al-Nawatef is more than a landscape crossed by adventure seekers. The rocks preserve traces of human activity, the water tells a story of settlement, and the trail reveals layers of nature and history, giving visitors an opportunity to discover a lesser-documented aspect of Tafilah’s beauty.
He said he is working with a volunteer team to document these sites through the “Thresholds of History” initiative, including Al-Nawatef, as an area that deserves greater visibility, documentation and promotion and a more prominent place on Jordan’s tourism map.
Al-Nawatef, he said, is not merely a hiking trail, but a story of a place where mountains, water, history and people come together.
Source: Petra
