Hiking Jabal Umm Ad Dami, the Highest Mountain in Jordan – Curls en Route
Jordan is one of the best adventure travel destinations, not just in the Middle East, but in the whole world. And what screams adventure more than hiking the highest mountain in Jordan? When in Wadi Rum, I highly recommend you make some time for a one-day hike up the scenic Jabal Umm Ad Dami. The mountain promises a challenging, yet enjoyable hike, as well as breathtaking panoramic views of the desert.
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About Jabal Umm Ad Dami
Jabal Umm Ad Dami stands at 1,854 m above sea level, offering some of the best views of Wadi Rum and even the borders of Saudi Arabia, as the mountain is located in the most southern part of Jordan.
The hike up would take an hour and a half on average with a moderate fitness level. It’s a rocky mountain, with some slippery parts, so you might scramble a bit but it’s minimal. Also, there are no signs on the trail, so it’s best if you go with a bedouin guide.
How to Prepare for Hiking Jabal Umm Ad Dami
The hike itself is not too physically challenging, so no previous training is required. However, being physically active, in general, is essential.
Being well-rested in advance is also crucial, so make sure to put that in mind while putting together your itinerary. For instance, it’s not ideal to drain your body, hiking in Petra the day before. Petra is huge and if you’re doing more than just the touristy Main Trail, odds are that you’ll be left with low energy levels afterwards.
Additionally, Jabal Umm Ad Dami is a bit steep and slippery in some parts, that’s why bringing the right gear and wearing the right shoes is important as well.
Sun protection is vital as you’ll be exposed throughout the hike if it’s later through the day. Wear sunscreen (preferably one with SPF50), and maybe even wear a sunhat. You should also consider the clothing you’ll wear, but I’ll go through that in further detail in the next section.
Last but not least, do not skip breakfast! Having a good, nutritious meal on the morning of your hike is quite essential.
What to Wear and Pack
What to Wear
What you wear on a mountain can make or break your hike. So, based on my own experience, here are my clothing recommendations.
Wear hiking shoes
As I previously mentioned, Jabal Umm Ad Dami is quite slippery. So, skip the running shoes and wear proper hiking shoes/boots. You want to wear something with a strong grip.
Wear comfy pants that are weather appropriate
Wearing comfy and breathable hiking pants is a game-changer as it allows you to be more flexible. If you’re hiking during winter months, a pair of winter yoga pants might be a good idea – and if it’s extremely cold, wear the yoga pants under the hiking pants.
Wear light colors that reflect the light
I made the mistake of packing black hiking pants when it turned out that most of the hikes are later during the day and you’ll most likely be on the summit at around noon. Even though the pants were very light and breathable, my legs were burning hot.
Layering is key
Some parts of the mountain will be cold; even windy, and other parts will be hot. So, it’s really important to pack the right layers according to the weather conditions and when you’re traveling. Your first layer would be a dri-fit (preferably) or cotton t-shirt. The colder the weather gets, you can add more layers like fleece and a down jacket.
Bring a windbreaker
Packing a windbreaker anyway is always a good idea – it’ll protect you from the wind and won’t make you feel too hot if you’re layering down.
What to Pack
Make sure to bring a hiking daypack or small backpack to carry on your hike. It’s best if it has waist and chest straps to make sure the weight is well-distributed so you wouldn’t hurt your back. Check the following list of things to pack on your hike:
- Hiking poles (optional – but I found them useful for support in slippery spots)
- Windbreaker
- Other layers like fleece or down jacket (if hiking in cold weather)
- Knee and ankle brace
- First aid kit
- 2L of water
- A power-boosting snack like nuts or energy bars
- Compact camera/GoPro/phone for the pretty views
- Power bank
- Sunscreen
- Headscarf or sunhat
How to Book the Jabal Umm Ad Dami Hike
Check if the camp you’re staying at includes hiking trips in its offered activities. If you still haven’t booked your Wadi Rum camp, you can check out some options below.
Most camps offer touristy tours like the famed Jeep tour and not all offer off-the-beaten-path hiking trips. However, there’s no need to worry if your camp is one of those because you can simply book the hike through another service provider as I did. I booked my Jabal Umm Ad Dami hike with Soul Tribe Travel which also offers other activities like yoga retreats at their very own Bedouin Yoga Camp. You can also book through the guide right away – Mahmoud was extremely professional and a great company. He knows the desert like the back of his hand and will never run out of interesting stories about Wadi Rum. Also, he’s a great photographer, so if you’re a solo traveler like myself, problem solved! He offers all sorts of other desert adventures like sandboarding and traditional camping.
Don’t Forget Your Travel Insurance!
Travel (solo or not) isn’t always rainbows and butterflies – things might go down south sometimes. You might fall ill or lose your luggage, and that’s when you’ll thank me for having your back covered with travel insurance.
SafetyWing offers different travel insurance packages, tailored to your needs, but their Nomad Insurance is my favorite option.
This travel medical insurance is perfect for frequent travelers. It covers lost checked luggage, travel delay, doctors, hospitals, and more. It even covers the COVID-19 emergency quarantine period if deemed necessary by a physician.
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Nadine is an Egyptian curly-head who decided to quit the norm because it just doesn’t suit her. She ditched her 9-5 as a magazine editor to pursue her dream of becoming a full-time digital nomad and to inspire aspiring travelers to embark on their own solo adventures.
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