Wadi Rum

Wadi Rum is famous for its extraordinary scenery and for being a key setting of T.E. Lawrence's account of his involvement with the Arab Rebellion of 1919, Seven Pillars of Wisdom, which in turn became David Leans classic film Lawrence of Arabia, parts of which were filmed on location here. But the real draw of Wadi Rum is its unique landscape of shifting red sand surrounding vast massifs and towers, some of which stand approaching 1,000 metres above the desert floor, all striped with an extraordinary variety of colours, which preside over cliffs, wadis, sand dunes and springs. It is so vivid as to seem somehow unreal, as though produced by a set designer just back from a sojourn on Mars.

There is an endless variety of walks, to suit all tastes and fitness levels. The following walks, and many more, are described in the Cicerone book. At the easiest end is the short walk up to Lawrence's Spring, mentioned, twice, lyrically in the Seven Pillars.

Moderate(ish) walks include:

• Circling Jebel Makhras (see Wadi Siq Makhras page), home to the Seven Pillars of Wisdom formation.

• Winding up the spectacular Wadi Siq Makhras, then crossing fine desert to the outstanding Siq Um Ishrin.

• Traversing stunning Rakabat Canyon in the Jebel um Ishrin massif which forms the eastern wall of Wadi Rum. (This can be added to the previous walk to make a long but amazing day).

• The magnificent Barrah Canyon.

• Circling the huge Jebel Rum massif, which is Wadi Rums western wall. A 7 hour circuit, although there are ways of reducing this. See the Cicerone guide and Routes below for more information on this walk.

• Climbing Jebel um Adaami, Jordons highest mountain, on the Saudi Arabian border.

• Wadi Salaada.

• The Jebel abu Khashaba canyon.

If you can, you should get up high to enjoy the outstanding views. There are some reasonably easy clambers, such as the Jebel Ahmaral Shelaali ridge near Lawrences spring and the more distant Jebel um Adaami.

• The demanding scramble above Khazali Canyon.

• Various routes onto Jebel Rum (see Cicerone guidebook).

Wadi Rum is also one of the Worlds finest rock climbing centres.