The King’s Highway in Jordan

One of the Middle East’s most scenic and ancient roads, the 280km-long King’s Highway in Jordan has a history that stretches back to the curtain opening of civilization.

Jordan’s King’s Highway ducks and dives across the spine of the Great Rift Valley, from where a rippling tor of barren stratifications rolls in jagged strips of brown, beige, and mustard rock down to the Dead Sea. It was along this road that a prophet saw the Promised Land and a saint lost his head after a plotting female danced for a king. This is the backdoor route to Petra.

One of the Middle East’s most scenic and ancient routes, the 280km-long highway is often overlooked in favour of the modern Desert Highway, which marches through Jordan’s flat and sandy core in a speedy three and a half hours from the capital, Amman. Driving this alternative road to the famous red-tinged ruins may take longer, but this road’s history stretches back to the curtain opening of civilization.

~ Excerpt From BBC Travel Website