Wadi Feynan
A desert valley below Dana where copper was mined and smelted from about six thousand years ago into Byzantine times.
Updated 21 October 2026
Wadi Feynan lies at the bottom of the Dana Biosphere Reserve where the mountains give out into the Wadi Araba, and copper was mined and smelted here from the Chalcolithic period into Roman and Byzantine times, leaving slag heaps, mine galleries and the remains of settlements across the valley. A lodge run on solar power with no mains electricity operates there, and Bedouin families still herd through the area.
What you'll find
- The slag heaps - the residue of copper smelting from the Chalcolithic to Byzantine times.
- The mine galleries - the workings cut into the rock through the valley.
- The Roman remains - the settlement and industry of the imperial period.
- The ecolodge - the solar-powered accommodation with no mains electricity.
When to go
October to April is the comfortable season; summer in the Araba is extremely hot. The walk down from Dana takes a full day. Access from the Araba road is by four-wheel drive.
Things to know
Summer heat in the Wadi Araba is dangerous. The lodge is the only accommodation and books out. Archaeological remains are unfenced and uninterpreted on the ground.
Nearby
Dana Biosphere Reserve is above, and the Wadi Araba runs south.
Key facts
Source: Wikidata, item Q12250629, read on 18 October 2026.
What to pack for Wadi Feynan
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
- Loose, light, long clothing - Covering up beats bare skin in the desert - and locals dress this way for a reason. Find on Amazon
- Comfortable walking shoes - Sightseeing means kilometres of pavement and cobbles daily. Find on Amazon
- A wide-brim hat + sunglasses - Shade for your face and eyes where there is none overhead. Find on Amazon
- A slim anti-theft daypack - Zips that close properly; keep it in front in crowds and on transit. Find on Amazon
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