How to Hike to the Monastery (for the non-hiker)

Last updated on June 13th, 2023 at 12:59 pm

Are you someone who sees pictures of Petra, specifically the sites that can only be seen after a hike to get there and wondered if you could make the trek to see them? I was one of those people. We recently went on a Holy Land tour that included a day in Petra. Honestly, this was a BIG reason we chose this particular itinerary. If we were going to be this close to Petra, I absolutely wanted to go and be able to see the Monastery.

After much research, we concluded that hiking to the Monastery was the b best way to spend our day in Petra. Here I show how a non-hiker can absolutely hike to the Monastery.

Why Hike to the Monastery

The Monastery hike, while moderately challenging, is very doable in one day, even for the non-hiker. It is truly an example of the view is worth the effort. Many people choose this hike as it is the second most visited site Petra.

The Easy Part

You will find the trailhead for the Monastery at the back of the City Complex, along with several other hikes. In total, this is about a 2 mile walk from the visitor complex, which is where you will start walking. The walk through the Siq and by the Treasury won’t be quick, nor should it be. I found this to be a bonus of going to the Monastery, you will see many ruins on your way. An example of what you will see along the way.

• Streets of Facades
• Roman Theater
• Royal Tombs
• Great Palace
• City Complex

We chose to explore these areas on the walk back so we could beat some of the crowds to the top.

Important note- Though the walk back to the Monastery trailhead is relatively flat, there is a fair amount of sand that makes walking a bit more challenging. For the avid hiker, this won’t be a issue, but for the non-hiker or those with less mobility, it’s something to be prepared for.

Okay, you’ve made it to the City Complex. Now, it’s time to head up.

Let’s Get Climbing

One mile doesn’t sound that daunting, right? That’s what I though until I realized that the mile is comprised of 900 uneven steps. If you are anything like me, you don’t like climbing steps. Honestly, I question anyone who says they enjoy stairs. Before we went on the tour, I was worried that the steps would be too much. If you are someone who can walk miles, but a few flights of stairs have you huffing and puffing, you get me. You are my people! Take heart, non-hikers, this is how I made it to the top of the Monastery.

First, the Bad Part

Yes, it is 900 steps. The steps are uneven, and you are sharing the path with donkeys and what they leave behind. Hint-watch where you step! But, that is where the bad part ends.

The Good Part

The first thing I quickly noticed was that it is not 900 steps straight up. The pathway levels out for a tiny bit and then the steps pick up again allowing a little bit of level walking along the way. For those of you who have difficulty with stairs, this is a nice break from the climbing. Throughout your climb, there are little shops dotting the path making it very easy to slow down and take a break. If you are feeling parched, you can get a drink (in a can or bottle) or fresh squeezed juice to perk you up.

Are you starting to feel a little better about the climb? You should! The view from the top is definitely worth the effort.

The View From the Top

You made it! Now it’s time to relax and enjoy the view. You have the o. opportunity to climb to different viewpoints if you choose to get a little higher up, but it’s not necessary. One thing I was amazed by was how large and wide open the area is in front of the Monastery. It never felt crowded and made it easy to get some really good photos. We chose to get a drink at the open-air cafe that sits at the top. Little couches dot the landscape making it the perfect spot to sit back, enjoy your drink and soak up the beautiful views. It was a great way to end the hike.