Nestled among pink rocky cliffs intertwined with mountains, Majhoud Waterfalls cascade through a valley where water flows from one slope to another in a captivating natural scene. Oleander, sidr and wild palm trees dot the area, while the water disappears between the rocks before continuing its journey toward Wadi Al-Hasa and the southern Jordan Valley.
اضافة اعلان
Located about 35 kilometers northwest of Tafila city, near the village of Western Arhab, the waterfalls form an important stop along the watercourse of Wadi Al-Hasa, which is connected to the Al-Barbeita and Afra hot springs. The natural route stretches for dozens of kilometers, yet the site remains below its true potential on the local tourism map.
As visitors reach the waterfalls, the character of the journey changes. The sound of rushing water dominates the surroundings, while natural pools form beneath the cascades. The pink and limestone rocks reflect across the water, creating a setting well suited to adventure tourism, photography, hiking, swimming and exploration.
Tourism trails expert Captain Aws Al-Maraiyat said Majhoud Waterfalls represent one of the most important natural links along the Wadi Al-Hasa route, thanks to their diverse terrain, water features and rock formations. He said the site could become a comprehensive tourism product if the trail were organized and developed according to ecotourism and adventure tourism standards.
He stressed the need to establish clearly marked hiking trails, classify swimming areas according to safety levels, install directional and warning signs, and provide rescue and monitoring points. He also called for training local tourism guides from nearby villages, allowing visitors to explore the area alongside people familiar with its terrain, trails and potential hazards.
Al-Maraiyat said involving the local community in managing the trail and providing guiding, hospitality, transportation, food and agricultural products could turn tourism into a tool for local development rather than merely a temporary visitor activity.
Researcher and historian Ishaq Ayal Salman said the value of Majhoud Waterfalls extends beyond its natural scenery to the broader historical and geographical landscape of Wadi Al-Hasa, which has served as a route for human movement throughout history and is surrounded by historical and archaeological sites and landmarks.
He stressed that linking the waterfalls with surrounding historical and natural sites and presenting them as part of a single tourism route beginning in Afra and Al-Barbeita and extending through Wadi Al-Hasa would offer visitors a richer experience combining nature, adventure and history.
Several visitors and frequent visitors to the site said the beauty of Majhoud Waterfalls far exceeds its fame, noting that many residents of Tafila and Jordanians remain unaware of the location despite improved access compared with the past.
The flowing water, natural pools, rocky cliffs and vegetation give the site a distinctive character. Some visitors come for swimming, picnics, photography and adventure activities, particularly during the spring and summer seasons and on weekends.
Visitors have also called for the site to be included on Jordan’s tourism promotion map, with basic services provided, including safe seating areas, shelters, restrooms, and first-aid and rescue points, while preserving the area’s pristine natural environment.
Investment opportunities at Majhoud Waterfalls are not limited to tourism. Heads of cooperative societies in Aima, Arhab and Adhba'a, villages belonging to the nearby Thawabiyah area, believe the abundance of flowing water could provide an additional resource for agricultural development if its use is organized through technical and environmental studies that ensure the valley’s sustainability.
Visitors have proposed establishing cooperatives to use part of the available water to grow guavas, vegetables and citrus fruits, creating employment and income opportunities for families and young people. This could also link agricultural production with tourism by marketing crops to visitors, camps and tourism facilities in the future.
Tourism specialists say the priority now is to treat Majhoud as a developable tourism destination, rather than simply a natural site for visitors. They propose establishing a small visitor center, rest areas, an eco-camp or a limited number of chalets, health facilities and rescue points, rehabilitating swimming areas, and providing energy, water and telecommunications services through solutions suited to the site’s unique environment.
They also stressed the importance of completing maintenance of the road leading to the waterfalls, addressing damage and erosion along some sections, improving road safety measures, and installing signs directing visitors to the site and warning them of dangerous areas.
The Ministry of Public Works and Housing completed the road leading to Majhoud Waterfalls two years ago, improving access to the site. However, continued maintenance and safety measures remain necessary given the rugged terrain and the impact of weather conditions and flash floods on some sections.
In this regard, the Tafila Tourism Directorate said Majhoud Waterfalls possess strong potential for ecotourism, adventure tourism and recreation. It noted that including the site in future plans to develop Jordan’s tourism offerings could strengthen its profile, particularly by connecting it with other tourism trails in the area.
Amid the roar of the water and the silence of the mountains, residents say Majhoud Waterfalls appear today to be a tourism destination waiting to be developed. The water is there, nature is abundant, adventure is possible, and history surrounds the site — but planning, promotion, services and investment are still needed.
They stressed that placing Majhoud on Jordan’s local and international tourism map does not mean turning it into a crowded concrete destination. Instead, development should preserve its natural character, provide visitors with safety and services, and create genuine employment and investment opportunities for the local community, turning the waterfalls into an attraction along an integrated tourism route extending from Afra and Wadi Al-Hasa to the southern Jordan Valley.
