Distance and Difficulty: The Petra Monastery Trail is 2.5km / 1.6 miles return from the end of the Petra Main Trail (4km in). Medium walk, steep with lots of stairs, but not too long (in my opinion, the Petra map says hard).

Walking in Petra is considered moderately to highly difficult depending on your fitness level and how much of the site you wish to see. The "standard" walk from the Visitor Center through the Siq to the Treasury is about 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) on relatively flat, gravelly terrain, which most people can manage easily. However, to see the rest of the 60-square-kilometer "Rose City," you will easily walk 10 to 15 kilometers (6 to 9 miles) in a single day. The most challenging part is the hike to The Monastery (Ad Deir), which involves climbing roughly 800 uneven, rock-cut stairs in the desert heat. The terrain throughout Petra is sandy, rocky, and dusty, which can be taxing on the ankles and knees. There is very little shade, so the sun adds a significant layer of physical exhaustion. While there are electric "club cars" available to transport guests from the entrance to the Treasury for a fee, most of the inner trails must be traversed on foot. Good hiking boots, at least 2 liters of water, and a wide-brimmed hat are essential. If you have mobility issues, Petra is extremely difficult to navigate, as even the main paths are not paved and feature frequent elevation changes and loose stones.