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Tourism Adventure

Medio Oriente

Arabia Saudita	Bahrain	Iran	Iraq
Israele	Jordany	Kuwait	Libano
Oman	Palestina	Qatar	Syria
Turchia	Emirati Arabi Uniti	Yemen

Jordany

Ajlun	Aqaba	Jerash	Amman
Irbid	Petra

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Ajlun Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see photo Just west of Jerash the castle of Ajlun is another highlight of northern Jordan. The Qalat er-Rabad, as the Ajlun Castle is locally knwon, was the base of the Arab forces of Saladin, when he defeated the Crusaders in the 12th century. The Ajlun mountains are famous for their lush vegetation and thick green forests and a good place for hikes. The castle of Ajloun was built in 1184 by a nephew of Salah al-Din (Saladin to Westerners) to defend the land held by the Arabs from the Crusaders. It is almost opposite the Castle of Belvoir on the other side of the Jordan. At that time it was known as Qalat al Rabadh. Originally it was a square castle with a tower at each corner; it was enlarged some forty years later, when another tower was built. Under the Mamelukes, Ajloun was one of the chain of castles which, using heliograph, fire beacons and pigeon post, could transmit messages from Damascus to Cairo within twelve hours. It was severely damaged by earthquakes in the 18th and the beginning of the 20th centuries, and restoration work is proceeding. Alone on its hill, and looking over some magnificent countryside, Ajloun was admirably sited and was never taken by the Crusaders, although the Mongols in the 13th century occupied it for a short time before it was retaken by its original owners. The entrance to the castle The moat is still there and the castle is entered over a modern bridge. The interior is full of rambling corridors and staircases. Notice the "murder holes" in the photo on the left, through which boiling oil or pitch (or whatever else was handy) could be poured on any invader. This part of Jordan is one of the most fertile regions, it is seldom that rain fails to fall here. From the castle one has an impressive view over the cultivated terraces nearby. The grass is lush as you see, and the goats are finding ample forage. Getting there The town of Ajlun is about 3 kilometers from the castle. Ajlun is well served by public transport, there are regular minibuses from the Abdali bus station in Amman and also from Jerash. An early start would let you visit both sites in the day. When you reach the town of Ajlun a taxi will be happy to take you to the castle! You can probably negotiate a rate allowing a visit there and a return trip in the same taxi. If you prefer to walk it, why not, but 3kms up a steep hill in the sun is thirsty work.... There are a couple of hotels in Ajloun, and in fact it is the closest place to Jerash where you can sleep. Try the Al Rabad Castle hotel (tel 02.642.0202) or the Ajloun Hotel (tel 02.642.0524) ________Sights Edit This Hiking in Ajloun The Ajloun Nature Reserve is a well-connected site for hiking. The RSCN, Wild Jordan and the full-time staff at the reserve have recently come together and formulated different trails for visitors interested in having a hiking holiday in Ajloun. Bungalows and cabins There are fully equipped tented bungalows and newly made cabins at the campsite for those interested, and can take a hiking holiday while enjoying the lush woodlands. The campsite has a fully eqipped restaurant, so no worries there with plenty of food and hot showers so hikers can concentrate on enjoying the trails around the 12-kilomer reserve which was established in northern Jordan in 1989. Five Trails There are five trails: A short trail just beyond the campsite and back; there is the Soap-makers Trail which is a 6-7 kilometer hike, its clearly marked so visitors can walk on their own or have a guide with them; there is the 12-kilometer Village Orchards Trail of hiking between local villages; and the Prophet's Trail, an 8.5 kilometer hike that starts from the Visitor's Center through woods, crossing roads, hills more woods and valleys till you reach Prophet Eligha's monument on a distant hill-top. These trails have been developed for international visitors who believe in eco-tourism and want to hike through different environmental terrains. Its well worthwhile a holiday for those who want to get away from city life and want the piece and quite of the environment. At the Ajloun Nature reserves there is lots and lots of oak, pistachio and wild strawberry trees on uneven and hilly grounds that can be strenous at times, but very reinvograting at times. The twists and turns of the trails, the hikes between thick foilage, open space, tufts under your feet as well as stones and rocks makes the walking particularly exciting especially because of the downhill, uphill and walks on an uneven ground in between the panoramic woodlands. Wild life During daylight animals like badgers, foxes and wild boars are difficult to find and there are four types of snakes in the reserve that are non-poison. Criss-crossing villages These trails have especially been made to criss-cross local villages to show the interaction between nature, the wildlife and the local community. On the Soap-maker's Trail for instance, hikers can be received at the Soap-Makers House where traditional soap-making is made. Helping the community There are 6 villages around this trail, and a good few are employed in the Soap Workshop that produces other fragarents such as fruit soaps, lavender and pomegrante which can be sold to visitors, the shop at the reserve or in other RSCN outlets in Amman and around the country. Prophet's Trail The Prophet's Trail is a rambling excercise of landscapes, woodlands, and villages crossing asphalted roads. There is a donkey on this trail that carries water bottles and light refreshments for the harsh terrains of foot digging and foot grips you encounter while on different parts of the trail. If you leave the campsite at 8 in the morning you can be sure to get to Tel Mar Elias by 12:30 and have a good rest. On all these long hikes, a bus can pick you up on different points in the trails. This trail can go right up till the Ajloun Castle which is another 4-hour walk.