Ajloun Forest Biosphere Reserve
A protected oak woodland in the hills of northern Jordan, with forest trails, cabins and reintroduced roe deer
Established1987 by the RSCN
UNESCOBiosphere reserve
Location9 km NW of Ajloun
OpenDaily 8:00–16:00
Introduction
Evergreen oaks, red-barked strawberry trees and the quiet of the forest.
In the green hills of northern Jordan, about 9 km north-west of Ajloun town, the Ajloun Forest Reserve protects one of the country’s last stands of Mediterranean woodland. Evergreen oaks, wild pistachios and the red-barked strawberry tree cover its slopes, at about 700–1,100 m above sea level.
The RSCN established the reserve in 1987, roe deer were released here in 2006, and in 2025 UNESCO recognised the area as a biosphere reserve. Walk the short Roe Deer trail, stay in a forest cabin, or join a guided trail to the villages or to Ajloun Castle.
Best timeMar–May · Oct–Nov
Time neededHalf day
Ticket8 JOD
From Amman85 km · 1 hr 30 min
Combine withAjloun Castle · 20 min
Google rating4.3 · Reviews
Highlights · A forest reserve
Six things not to miss at Ajloun Forest
Woodland trails, cabins and an adventure park
The reserve is easy to explore from its entrance. These are the places that make the visit.
01 / 0601 · Forest
The strawberry trees
Roe Deer trail
Trees with smooth red bark, growing among the evergreen oaks.
Look closely
The bark peeling in thin layers.
1 of 6
Explore the reserve
What to see
Five parts of the reserve: the Roe Deer trail, the reception, the cabins, the adventure park and the Royal Academy. Pick one to see what to look for.
1 / 1401 · Into the forest
Walk the Roe Deer trail
The short Roe Deer trail loops through the oak woodland from the reserve entrance and can be walked without a guide. Information boards along the way introduce the trees and plants of the forest.
Look for the strawberry trees, with their smooth red bark, and in spring for irises and orchids under the trees.
Short loopNo guide neededShaded
Look for
- Strawberry trees with red bark
- Evergreen oaks and wild pistachios
- Rock-cut hollows beside the path
Dig deeperThe return of the roe deer
Roe deer disappeared from Jordan in about the early 19th century. In 1989 four were brought from the Turkish–Bulgarian border and bred at Zubia; in 2000 fourteen were moved to Ajloun, and on 19 January 2006 twenty-six were released into the forest.
1 / 502 · Start here
Start at the reception
The reception building at the entrance is where you pay the entrance, pick up information and book guided trails, cabins and meals. A board shows the trails of the reserve.
The longer trails, to the villages and to Ajloun Castle, are guided and should be booked at least 24 hours ahead.
TicketsTrail bookingsRestaurant
Look for
- The board of the trails
- The terraces looking over the forest
Dig deeperCrafts in the villages
In the villages around the reserve, women make olive-oil soap at the Soap House, and the Biscuit House and Calligraphy House offer workshops. Guided trails such as the Rasoun trail visit them.
1 / 1403 · Stay overnight
Stay in a forest cabin
Wooden cabins are scattered through the trees near the entrance, from simple rooms to duplexes with balconies over the hills. They are open all year.
Overnight guests can walk the Roe Deer trail in the evening or early in the morning, the quietest times in the forest.
Open all yearBalconiesForest views
Look for
- Cabins among the oaks
- The balconies over the hills
- The paths between the cabins
1 / 604 · For the adventurous
Try the adventure park
The reserve’s adventure village has ziplines, rope courses, a climbing wall and a giant swing among the trees.
There are weight and height limits, so check before you book.
ZiplinesRope coursesClimbing wall
Look for
- The zipline towers
- The rope course among the trees
1 / 805 · Learning about nature
See the Royal Academy
On a hilltop beside the reserve stands the Royal Academy for Nature Conservation, the RSCN’s training centre. Its foundation stone was laid in 2009.
Its terraces look out over the wooded hills of Ajloun.
RSCNFounded 2009Views
Look for
- The stone buildings on the hilltop
- The view over the hills
Nature & conservation
Saving a forest
The RSCN set up the reserve in 1987 to protect the woodland from cutting and overgrazing, and later brought back the roe deer.
- AD 1987The RSCN establishes the reserve
- AD 1989Four roe deer arrive and are bred at Zubia
- AD 2004The first tented bungalows open
- AD 2006Twenty-six roe deer are released into the forest
- AD 2009Foundation stone of the Royal Academy
- AD 2025UNESCO designates the Ajloun Biosphere Reserve
ProfileAjloun Forest Biosphere Reserve: the full storyThe history, the woodland and the return of the roe deer.Read the profile →Plan your visit
Everything you need to know before you go
The reserve is about 9 km north-west of Ajloun town, near the village of Umm al-Yanabi, and about 85 km by road from Amman. The reception, cabins and restaurant are at the entrance.
Good to know: the trails are rough in places, and the longer ones are guided; book them at least 24 hours ahead.
Opening hoursOpen daily8:00–16:00
Entry ticket8 JODResidents 6 JOD · guided trails include entrance
Time to visitHalf dayHalf a day, or stay the night
From Amman85 kmAbout 1 hour 30 min by road
LocationUmm al-Yanabi32.3802° N, 35.7638° EGet directions
Opening hours and prices checked October 2026. Spotted a change? Let us know
On site
What you’ll find at Ajloun Forest Biosphere Reserve
- Visitor centre
- Ticket office
- Toilets
- Free parking
- Guide available
- Food & drinks
- Market / shop
- Viewpoint
- Hotels
Not on site: museum
Access: no 4x4 needed
Activities
With the RSCN at Ajloun
Hiking trailsFrom a 1-hour walk to a full-day castle trail
Adventure villageForest ziplines, rope courses and climbing
Cooking and craft experiencesCooking, biscuit house and calligraphy
Forest cabins38 cabins among the oaks
Book with the RSCN at least 24 hours ahead. Prices and availability are on the RSCN site.
All activities and pricesWhen to go
Spring, when irises and orchids flower, and autumn are best. Winters are cold and wet in the hills.
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BestGood, cooler or warmVery hot
Tip: book guided trails, cabins and meals with the RSCN at least 24 hours ahead.
Before you go
The reserve has a restaurant, and Ajloun town is about 9 km away.
- Walking shoesRough paths in the forest
- WaterFor the trails
- A warm layerThe hills are cool, especially in the evening
- Cash in Jordanian dinarsFor tickets and small purchases
Common questions
Quick answers before you set off.
Do I need a guide?
Not for the short Roe Deer trail. The longer trails, to the villages and to Ajloun Castle, are guided, and their prices include the entrance.
Can I walk to Ajloun Castle?
Yes, on a full-day guided trail from the reserve. Book it with the RSCN at least 24 hours ahead.
Can I stay overnight?
Yes. The reserve’s wooden cabins are open all year, and meals are served at the restaurant.
Is it good for children?
Yes. The Roe Deer trail is short and shaded, and the adventure park has ziplines and rope courses, with weight and height limits.
Combine with
The forest combines easily with Ajloun Castle, Jerash and Pella. Drive times are from the reserve.
Explore this site
More from Ajloun Forest Biosphere Reserve
Panoramas, walk-throughs, photos and stories about this site.
ProfileAjloun Forest Biosphere Reserve: history & architecture
Photo albumAjloun Forest Reserve: An Oak Woodland in Photos
360°360° panoramaWhere the Forest Unfolds: 360° Views at Ajloun Reserve Reception
Travel articleA Weekend Full of Wonder: Our Family Adventure to Ajloun, Jordan
360°360° panorama360° View of Ajloun Forest Reserve CabinsNearby
Also in the north
From guide to visit
Explore the north with a private guide
Tell us when you’d like to go, and we’ll plan a private day that includes the Ajloun Forest Reserve, with door-to-door transport from Amman.
