the local community. Ajloun Handicrafts from Tasali presents a new spirit ajloun of Jordanian delights. Forest Reserve Nature Products include molasses Make sure to visit Ajloun and tahini sandwich forest reserve Houses that are located in cookies, olive oil crisps, and Located in the Ajloun Highlands in the north of , this the nearby Rasun and 2 energy bars. beautiful nature reserve consists of 13 km of rolling hill country Orjan villages: dominated by open woodlands that are home to a diverse Your Evergreen Escape collection of plant and animal species. The rich greenery makes The Soap House Ajloun a popular spot for picnickers and hikers, especially in the At the Soap House located in spring, when the reserve is coated in a wide variety of Orjan village, local women use wildflowers. a variety of local ingredients, including lavender, geranium, Ajloun Forest Reserve was established in 1987 to help conserve mint and pomegranate, to the important Evergreen Oak forest ecosystem. Its trees account create high-quality handmade for a significant part of Jordan's forested area, which covers only natural olive oil soaps called about 1% of the country. Orjan Soap. Reserve and Trails Guide | Map After the reserves establishment, RSCN initiated a captive Orjan soaps are all produced breeding program aiming to reintroduce the locally extinct using pure olive oil, combined House of Calligraphy Roe Deer in 1988, RSCN has managed to release a number of with other natural oils, plant Want to learn more about Roe Deer into the reserve, where they have continued to grow extracts, and pure essential oils. the Jordanian culture and the within their natural habitat. language? Visit the The Royal Society for House of Calligraphy in Rasun the Conservation of Nature village. It offers tourists and locals alike the chance to have and Wild Jordan Staying in their names and favorite Created in 1966 under the patronage of His Majesty the late King phrases written in fine Arabic Hussein, The Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN) is Ajloun Forest script on leather, clothes or a non-governmental organization devoted to the conservation of silk, as well as to interact with Jordan's natural environment. Reserve local workers in the area. Lodging is located in a large find a visitor center, restau- Wild Jordan is the socio-economic development and eco-tourism division of RSCN that is dedicated to developing viable nature- grassy clearing enclosed by rant, meeting room, and The based businesses for those living in and around RSCN’s protected carob, oak, pistachio, and Nature Shop that is full of areas while generating support for nature conservation throughout The Biscuit House strawberry trees. There are creative handicrafts made by Jordan. 5 cabins offering private the local people living in and The Biscuit House located in facilities and small terraces around RSCN's nature reserves. Orjan village is the kitchen open all year round You can also find peaceful where Tasali Jordanian RSCN Membership and 10 four-person tented seclusion in the Biscuit House delights are created. These Becoming an RSCN Member is great for both you and nature! bungalows with nearby B&B located in Orjan village products are handmade by For information, contact (+962 6) 5337 931 [email protected] showers and toilets that are deep in the fig and pomegran- local women and consist of open from mid March to the ate laden valley, offering 2 natural ingredients, some Contact us For booking and infomration contact Tourism Unit at Wild Jordan end of October. rooms with a capacity of 8-9. of which are produced by Tel: (+962 6) 4616 523 email:[email protected] Near the campsite, you will The B&B is open year-round. The Nature Shop or contact Ajloun Reserve directly at Browse through the Nature Tel: (+962 7) 9 9062 210 email:[email protected] Shop and find truly original www.rscn.org.jo gifts and souvenirs. This shop contains nature crafts produced by the local people at the reserves.

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Soap House Trail Orjan Village Trail Rockrose Trail Ajloun Castle Trail Ajloun Castle (year-round) (year-round) (year-round) (year-round, except during (14 km)Located in the town Guided or self-guided Guided only Guided only Ramadan) of Ajloun, known as Qal'at Grade: Moderate Grade: Moderate Grade: Moderate Guided (donkey assisted) Ar-Rabad. The fortress was built by 's nephew Izz Distance: 6-7 km Distance: 12 km Distance: 8 km Grade: Difficult with steep Inclines Al-Din Usama in (1184 AD) Time: 2-3 hours Time: 6 hours Time: 3-4 hours to protect the country from Distance: 18 km or 9.5 km Group size: 4-18 people Group size: 4-18 people Group size: 4-18 people the Crusader attacks, and is from Mar Elias Description Description Description a fine example of Islamic Time: Fulll day or 4 hours This trail begins at the Continuing from the Soap Named for the flowers that architecture. from Mar Elias Reserve's Visitor Center and House, this tour takes you can be seen around the trail The Prophet’s Trail takes you to the Soap House through wooded valleys to Group size: 4-18 people Roe Deer Trail The Houses Trail every spring, this hiking loop (year-round) in the neighboring village of the lush green orchards of passes through thick Description (year-round) (year-round) Guided (donkey assisted) Orjan. On the way, you will Orjan village, giving you woodlands, orchards, farms Once you have reached Mar Guided or self-guided Guided only Grade: Moderate hike through thick, healthy the chance to discover the and villages in and around Elias, you have the option Grade: Easy woodlands filled with oak, Grade: Moderate rural lifestyle of the region. the reserve. It offers beautiful Distance: 8.5 km of continuing on this challeng- Distance: 2Km pistachio, and oriental Distance: 6-7 km views of the West Bank, , Time: 4 hours ing trail, which takes Time: Less than 1 hour strawberry trees. Take a short Time: 3-4 hours and the Jordanian country- Group size: 4-18 people you by small farm house and detour to view a ruined wine their adjacent orchards Group size: 4-18 people 40 minute walk between the side. About halfway through Description press before you pass one of houses; extra 1-2 hours are the hike, observe the wine on your way to Ajloun Castle, Description This hike takes you from the oldest strawberry trees in built between AD 1184-1188 given for the houses visit and olive press from the Ajloun Forest Reserve Visitor This short circular trail starts the Reserve on your way down by Salahadin's nephew. Um Qais & Yarmouk Group size: min. 4 and above Byzantine and Roman eras, Center to Mar Elias, the ruins at the campsite and offers into the valley. The trail climbs In the first section of the trail Description and just before reaching the of one of Jordan's oldest Nature Reserve great views over the reserve. to 1100m above sea level at you can enjoy views of end of the trail, rest in the churches. It is named for the (60 km north of Ajloun), Not far from the campsite you Eagle's View Point, and then This trail takes you through a the West Bank and Syria, shade of a large Maloul tree. Prophet Elias, or Elijah, to Umm Qais another Roman will find an old stone wine descends to the Soap House tour of Ajloun’s popular three before you descend into a Each season has different whom Mar Elias is dedicated. site on the northern border press. Early in the morning, where local women follow the houses; The Soap House and wooded valley. A poplar-lined spring vegetation to enjoy. The trail leads through fig of Jordan, overlooking the you may be lucky enough to traditional process of making The Biscuit House in Orjan The final difficult uphill is provides a wonderful and pear orchards, amongst Golan Heights and the Sea see Roe deer before you Orjan pure olive soap. village and the House of rewarded by the incredible contrast to the arid moun- The first half of the trail is forests of oak and oriental of Galilee. return to the visitor center. Calligraphy in Rasun village. castle and the marvelous tains of the previous stages uphill and the second half is strawberry trees. The stone Yarmouk Nature Reserve, is * You can continue walking From the Eagle’s View Point views that accompany it. The of the trail. As you hike, downhill; there are steep walls that crisscross the one of the newly established The Houses Trail or the Village you can descend towards the hike also includes a locally note the dramatic rock scrambles en-route that valley guard the farmers' reserves in Jordan and home Tour once you have reached House of Calligraphy, then prepared picnic lunch. walls, old water mills once demand a reasonable crops inside from both the to Jordan’s national tree The Soap House wind your way to the other used by local people to level of fitness. “Al Maloul”. It is an area that two houses. An alternative winter rains and wild boar. Jerash route takes you first from the grind their seeds and the Relax in the shade with a speaks volumes about who (Around 22 km east of Ajloun) Soap House. At the House of hollow walnut tree. glass of tea before climbing we are both as a nation and Jordan’s second most Calligraphy, you can take the Enjoy a delicious traditional to the hilltop ruins, which as a people and, thanks to the important tourist site. This first steps towards learning meal in an orchard of fig, provide sweeping views of conservation efforts of RSCN, famous Roman City, Gerasa, how to write some Arabic pomegranate, apple and the surrounding area. The it will continue to bear belonged to the ten cities of words. At The Biscuit House, apricot trees. hike also includes a locally witness to our history for the Decapolis and is regarded you can visit the workshop prepared picnic lunch near generations to come. as one of the finest examples where Tasali Jordanian the ruins. of Roman architecture delights are created. outside Rome. Ain al Baidha Trail Stops Activities Wadi Az Zalama Lunch Break Bus Highlights Ajloun Trails Map The Biscuit Ajloun Castle House Donkey Rendezvous Old Pistachio Tree Roe Deer Trail The Soap Tea Time Wadi Az Zalama House Visitor Center View Point Short trail offering Big Oak Tree great views, House a visit to the old Rasun Site of Interest stone winepress, House of and a chance to spot Calligraphy The Quarry Eagle’s View Point roe deer. Big Space with Trees Eagle’s The Reserve Gate Wadi Ar Rayyan View Point Soap House Return by Spring Bus Orjan Trail Mark Trail Village Spot Height Take in the sights at Tourism Trails the Eagle’s View Wadi Ar Rayyan Soap House Trail Point and watch local The Houses Trail women produce natural olive oil soap. Orjan Village Trail Roe Deer Trail-Long View Point AjlounCastle Mar Elias Roe Deer Trail-Short The Houses Brunch Rockrose Trail Returnby Bus Trail Trail Map The Prophet’s Trail WadiAjloun Khallat Umar Castle Trail Visit Ajloun houses; The Soap House, Main Roads House of Calligraphy Secondary Roads View Point of Orjan and and The Biscuit A Yard Rasun Villages Wadi House in the villages Reserve Boundary of Orjan and Rasun. Old Wine and Nature Water Jar Olive Press Elevation in Meters Lunch Break Point The Summit Wadi Khallat Umar 1200 - 1300 Orjan Village Main View Point Wadi Khallat Umar Nature Curved Beginning of 1100 - 1200 Trail Stones Wadi Rasun Baun To Wadi Rasun 1000 - 1100 Hike through the View Point for 900 - 1000 reserve, visit the Soap the Visitor Center 800 - 900 Trail Stops House, and enjoy a Ajloun Castle 700 - 800 traditional home- Old Pistachio Tree 600 - 700 made brunch. Bus A Big Space 500 - 600 Paved Tea Time Surrounded Street The Visitor 400 - 500 Tourism Trails Wadi Ar Rayyan by Trees Center Wadi Bau’wn 300 - 400 Rock Rose The Prophet’s Trail The Ajloun Castle Trail View Point to West Reserve Big Oak 200 - 300 Trail Tree The Quarry Bank Mountains Gate 100 - 200 Fruit Orchards 0 - 100 Pass through heavily Shiteau Valley Wadi al Alqa wooded valleys and Al-jubb Valley - 100- 0 Wadi Shiteau ridges, offering - 200- - 100 beautiful panoramic - 300- - 200 views of the West Donkey Rendezvous Mihna - 360- 300 Bank and Syria. Tea Time Um el Yanabee Old Pistachio Tree The Prophet’s Trail

Hike towards the beautiful church mosaics of Mar Elias Tea Time and savor a locally Ajloun Return prepared lunch. Castle by Bus Wadi Bau’wn Tiyyara Ajloun Castle Trail

Mihna Continue on from The Prophet’s Trail through orchards to reach the historical Ajloun Castle. Wadi Mahna View Point All of the trails begin from the Reserve’s Mar Elias visitor center. Ishtafaina Brunch Trails availability vary according to Return by Bus weather conditions and Ramadan, so it Kilometers is always recommended to check before you book any hike. Hiking Tips Irbid Hit trails early for the best How to Get There chance of seeing wildlife and Useful Arabic Words Rules and Regulations to avoid being exposed to the Arabic English Word Arabic Translation sun during the hottest part of Pronunciation • Stay on the trails with the guide and do not Ajloun Forest the day. wander alone in the Reserve; camp and climb only in ﻣﺮﺣﺒﺎ Reserve Hi Marhaba Stay on trails to avoid injury. .official sites ًﺃﻫﻼ ﻭ ًﺳﻬﻼ Welcome Ahlan wa Sahlan To get through a heavy day’s Protect all nature; no hunting or collecting of • ﺻﺒﺎﺡ ﺍﻟﺨﻴﺮ hike, rest at regular intervals Good morning Sabah al Khayr ﺻﺒﺎﺡ ﺍﻟﻨﻮﺭ Response Mafraq and enjoy the views. Don’t Sabah al Noor plants, animals, rocks, artifacts, or firewood. Leave overdo it! About 85 km to Ajloun Reserve Weather ﻣﺴﺎﺀ ﺍﻟﺨﻴﺮ Good evening Masa' al Khayr Ajloun Ajloun has a mild, Mediterra- things as you find them. ﻣﺴﺎﺀ ﺍﻟﻨﻮﺭ Response Wildlife Masa' al Noor nean climate, with warm • Avoid damaging trees and shrubs; do not add ﺷﻮ ﺍﺳﻤﻚ ?summers and cool, damp Ajloun Forest Reserve holds What is your name? (male) Shu Ismak Dibeen Forest winters. The hottest period is the presence of several faunal graffiti anywhere within the reserve. Reserve ﺷﻮ ِﺍﺳﻤﻚ ?Jerash between June and September, species, which is restricted in (female) Shu Ismik Respect nature; keep noise to a minimum, be • ﺍﺳﻤﻲ ...when average temperatures its distribution to the forested My name is... Ismi are around 30 degrees Celsius, habitats of Jordan such as the kind to living creatures. ﻛﻴﻒ ﺣﺎﻟﻚ ?while rain and snow are Stone Marten and the Persian How are you? (male) Keef Halak common from December to Squirrel. Moreover, other Respect the lifestyle of the local people and • ﻛﻴﻒ ِﺣﺎﻟﻚ ?female) Keef Halik) February. species were recorded in the ﺍﻧﺎ ...I am... Ana Balqa reserve including the Wolf, ask before taking pictures. ﻛﻮﻳﺲ(ﺓ) (fine kwies(eh Zarqa What to Bring Asiatic Jackal, Hyaena, Red Cap, sunscreen, bathing suit, • Keep the area clean and deposit your litter in ﻟﻮ ﺳﻤﺤﺖ Fox and the Indian Crested Please Low Samaht comfortable shoes and Porcupine. As well, the the appropriate place. clothes, drinking water, ﺷﻜﺮﺍً reserve is characterized by Thank you Shukran snacks, backpack, flashlight, .extraordinary floral contents Response You're welcome ً • Leave your vehicles in the parking area ﻋﻔﻮﺍ ,extra clothes, binoculars, ID where several common trees wildlife guides, first aid kit. ﻣﻊ ﺍﻟﺴﻼﻣﺔ species are present such as Goodbye Masalama ﻻ The Reserve is not responsible Evergreen Oak, Pine, Carob, No La Amman for the loss of any valuable Wild Pistachio and Oriental Main Road ﺁﺳﻒ(ﺓ) (belongings. Strawberry Tree. Other I'm sorry Asif(eh Established Reserve ﻣﺎ ﻓﻲ ﻣﺸﻜﻠﺔ annual plant species, includ- No Problem Mafi Mushkila ing Black Iris, anemones, rock ﺍﻳﻮﻩ roses, several orchids, and Yes Aywa From Amman, the trip to Ajloun is 85 km and takes about an hour wild tulips were recorded in ﻗﺪﻳﺶ and 15 minutes. Go to Jerash, taking the ring road (Jordan Street) How much? Gdaish or Adaish the reserve. ﺑﻴﺪﻱ ﻣﺴﺎﻋﺪﺓ out of Amman. Once you reach Jerash, follow the signs to Ajloun. I need help Bidi musaadah Enter Ajloun City and at the Ajloun circle, go straight toward ﻣﺶ ﻓﺎﻫﻢ(ﺓ) (Eshtafena. 5 km from the Ajloun circle you will find the Eshtafena I don't understand Mish fahem(eh junction. At the junction, turn left towards Ajloun Forest Reserve. Follow the signs to the site. (To describe a female, add an 'eh' at the end)