The High Place of Sacrifice is one of the best hikes inside Petra and far quieter than the Monastery. A stepped path climbs from near the theatre to the summit of Jebel Madbah, where the Nabataeans cut an open-air platform with an altar and drainage channels into the rock. The views take in the Royal Tombs, the colonnaded street and the mountains all around, with two obelisks standing on a ridge nearby. Rather than go back the same way, most walkers continue down the far side through Wadi Farasa, passing the Lion Fountain, the Garden Tomb and the Roman Soldier Tomb before rejoining the city centre. It is included in your Petra ticket. The official Visit Petra site also lists a guided Nabataean astronomy and archaeology trail with a High Place option.
How it works: the path starts on the left just before the theatre as you walk from the Treasury. The climb takes about forty-five minutes to an hour; the loop down through Wadi Farasa and back to the colonnaded street adds another hour or so.
What to expect: the steps are steep and some sections on the descent are rough, so this is a hike for steady walkers with good shoes. You may meet only a handful of people, which is much of the appeal.
Making the most of it: do this loop in the morning of your first day, then continue to the Monastery the next day or that afternoon if you still have energy. A local guide makes the descent easier to follow and brings the ritual sites to life.
What to expect
The experience
A steep climb to a mountaintop ritual platform, then a loop descent past carved tombs.
Best time
Morning, before the heat builds on the exposed summit.
How long
Two to three hours for the full loop.
Tips
Start near the theatre, take the Wadi Farasa descent and consider a guide for route-finding.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Hikers who want views and solitude inside Petra.
- Families
- Best for older children; the steps and drops need care.
- Couples
- A quiet summit with Petra spread out below.
- Pair with
- The Siq and Treasury in the morning and the Monastery on day two.
- Time needed
- Two to three hours.
Good questions
Where does the High Place trail start?+
On the left of the main route just before the theatre, a short walk past the Treasury.
Is it harder than the Monastery climb?+
It is similarly steep but shorter; the descent through Wadi Farasa is rougher underfoot.
Do I need a separate ticket?+
No, the trail is inside the archaeological park and covered by your Petra ticket.
Can I do it with a guide?+
Yes. Licensed guides are available at the visitor centre, and Visit Petra lists a guided trail with a High Place option.
What will I see on the way down?+
The Lion Fountain, the Garden Tomb and the Roman Soldier Tomb on the Wadi Farasa route.
