The oak woodland
One of the last evergreen forests.
Mohammad hajeer — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Mohammad hajeer — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Mohammad hajeer — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Freedom's Falcon — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Mohammad hajeer — CC BY-SA 4.0
A forest on the hills of northern Jordan, set up by the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature in 1988 across some 13 square kilometres to protect one of the country's last evergreen oak woodlands, with wild pistachio, carob and maple, and strawberry trees whose smooth red bark peels every summer. Marked trails of different lengths run through it, from a short loop around the visitor centre to longer routes that drop into the valleys and pass neighbouring villages, where local projects run by village women include the Soap House, which makes olive oil soap the traditional way, a calligraphy house and a biscuit house. Roe deer were brought back to the reserve after dying out in Jordan, and wild boar, foxes and porcupines live here; in spring the hills are full of wildflowers. For overnight stays there are wooden cabins among the trees run by the reserve's eco-lodge. The reserve is about a quarter of an hour from Ajloun Castle, and the two fit well in one day; spring is the loveliest season.
One of the last evergreen forests.
Traditional olive oil soap.
Red bark that peels in summer.
Umm al-Yanabi, Ajloun Governorate, about 75 km north of Amman
The short loop around the visitor centre is self-guided; some longer trails need a reserve guide at extra cost, so ask at the entrance.
Spring, March to May, when the hills are green and in flower, and autumn too; summer days are hot.