Wadi Hidan (Lower)

verified ACA 4C R Extreme flood risk Madaba, JO

The committing rappel canyon of the Mujib reserve: a deep limestone slot with long single drops that joins Wadi Mujib above the Adventure Centre.

Hidan and its tributaries (Wala) flow off the Madaba plateau; the descent is technical and significantly harder than the Mujib Siq. Some operators link Hidan to the Mujib Malaqi Trail as a multi-day trip. Wetsuit standard; helmet and harness mandatory.

Logistics

Manager	RSCN (Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature), Mujib Biosphere Reserve
Permit	Permit required through RSCN. Hidan drops into the Mujib system above the confluence with the Siq, and access is regulated as part of the reserve. Confirm current rule and guide requirement with the Mujib Adventure Centre.
Distance	Roughly 4 mi descent depending on entry point
Elevation	Significant loss to the Mujib confluence (ropewiki lists ~98 ft on the lower stretch, but full Hidan is steeper)
Time	3 to 9.5 hr (1.5 hr approach, 40 min to 3.5 hr descent, 1 to 2.5 hr exit)
Technical	Limestone gorge with multiple rappels, longest about 50 m (164 ft), total rope work near 200 m (656 ft). ACA 4C1 III R (v5a4 IV per ropewiki). Swift water sections and committing rappels into pools; the R suffix flags committing geometry where retreat is hard once you commit.
Season	Spring and fall (Apr-May, Sep-Oct windows)
Flood risk	Extreme. Hidan drains the basalt highlands above Madaba; storms anywhere in the upper catchment turn the canyon lethal within minutes. Combine with Mujib hazard if descending to the confluence.
Vehicle access	Dirt road approach to the upper trailhead; HC recommended
Crowd	Solitude likely outside organized trips
Coordinates	31.4579, 35.5827

Sources

manager: https://www.rscn.org.jo/reserve/9
ropewiki: https://ropewiki.com/Hidan_(Lower)
upper: https://ropewiki.com/Hidan_(Upper)