Around Jebel Rum

This long but rewarding walk circles Jebel Rum, a magnificent, titanic mass of bare rock and the western walk of famous Wadi Rum.

From Rum village, head south to a Bedouin encampment at Rakabat Abu Aina. Then either (easier but longer) continue south, rounding the southern end of the Rum Massif, or (harder but shorter) follow the valley just south-west of the camp over a col and down into the valley on the far side.

The routes rejoin and form a crossroads with another route heading NE back into the jebel. This is a serious scramble back across to the Resthouse requiring climbing equipment, experience and skill. Instead, take the route NNW, a scramble up a long scree slope to a cirque below the col between Jebel Rum and Jebel Rumman, going straight up and down again past a large valley to the right and down to a well and springs at Wadi Um Hassa (an hour after the pass). Descend via the riverbed (some scrambling) and past a stone with Thamudic inscriptions and possibly a Bedouin encampment in the sand cirque on the far side.

Continue north until you encounter three valleys; take the middle one up to a pass marked by a huge cairn (1.5hrs from Wadi um Hassa), followed by a mountain basin. Follow the right side of the basin until a large descending valley opens up, winding down and left to Wadi Leyyah. Follow the line of this wadi east; you will hit the Rum road (turn right) approximately 1.5hrs north of the Resthouse.