Ultimate Guide: How to Plan a Trek on the Historic Abraham Path in Turkey, Jordan, and the West Bank
The Abraham Path, an inspiring network of walking trails across the Middle East, unlocks exceptional trekking adventures in a region celebrated for its profound history. This route retraces the footsteps of the Prophet Abraham—from his birthplace in Şanlıurfa, Turkey, to the Tomb of the Patriarchs in Hebron, within Israel and the Palestinian Territories—honored by Jews, Christians, and Muslims as the patriarch of monotheism.
Meandering through remote rural landscapes, ancient ruins, and vast, scenic countryside, even a portion of the Abraham Path highlights the remarkable cultural and natural heritage of this timeless region.
The Turkish Path
Route: A 10-day, 170km trail through southeast Anatolia, starting in Yuvacalı village and ending in Harran town. Difficulty: easy to moderate.
Highlights: History lovers will be captivated by Göbekli Tepe (the world's oldest known temple), Harran's unique beehive houses, and obscure temples with rock inscriptions at Soğmatar. Food enthusiasts can indulge in authentic, organic homestay meals, while cultural explorers gain rare insights into rural Anatolian life. The trails deliver stunning walks beneath expansive Mesopotamian skies.
Getting there: Arrange transfers from Şanlıurfa when booking. Şanlıurfa GAP Airport offers daily flights from Istanbul; the bus station connects regularly across Turkey.
Accommodation: Comfortable homestays in villages along the route.
Best shortcut itinerary: Short on time? Tackle the first four days from Yuvacalı to the enigmatic Göbekli Tepe ruins.
Costs: From €45 per person per day, including homestay, meals (breakfast, dinner, packed lunch), and guide. Add a small fee for luggage transfers.
The Jordanian Path
Route: A five-day, 58km trail through northwest Jordan from Ajloun to Sharhabil Bin Hassneh EcoPark in the Jordan Valley. Difficulty: moderate to difficult, with significant elevation changes (days 3 and 5 are challenging).
Highlights: Experience Jordan's diverse terrain—from rolling meadows and olive/fig orchards to dramatic Rift Valley ridges with panoramic views. Historical gems include Ajloun's Crusader Castle and Pella's Byzantine ruins.
Getting there: 1.5-hour drive from Amman to Ajloun. Public minibuses run from Amman and Jerash; taxis from Amman cost ~US$30.
Accommodation: Homestays along the trail; ecolodge at Ajloun.
Best shortcut itinerary: For a day hike, select day five: from Pella's haunting ruins through cliffs and farmland to breathtaking Jordan Valley vistas.
Costs: Homestay B&B ~US$28/person/night; shared guide US$70/day.
The West Bank Path
Route: An 11-day, 182km journey from Nablus south through the West Bank to Hebron. Difficulty: mostly moderate; five days moderate-to-difficult.
Highlights: Packed with history: Jericho (one of the world's oldest cities), Mar Saba desert monastery near Bethlehem, and Hebron. Rural trails and homestays provide authentic glimpses into local life often unseen in media.
Getting there: Transfers from Jerusalem to Nablus start point available.
Accommodation: Village homestays and town guesthouses/hotels.
Best shortcut itinerary: Condense to seven days for key sights. For less time, try the two-day Bethlehem-to-Hebron trek: Rift Valley views, monasteries, and Bedouin beit shar (goat-hair tent) stay.
Costs: Accommodation ~US$30-40/person/night (with meals at homestays); guides US$120/day.
Contacts: Siraj Center offers 14-day tours (plus shorter options) with Jerusalem sightseeing. Visit Walk Palestine for details. See the Abraham Path's Masar Ibrahim al-Khalil page for the Palestinian section.
The Future of the Path
A seamless trail from Turkey to Hebron is an ambitious long-term vision, but progress continues. Ongoing developments include new sections for independent trekkers in Jordan and the West Bank. Visit the official Abraham Path website for the latest updates.
