Walk to the rose-red city
An ancient desert crossing to one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, reimagined as a virtual challenge you complete with your everyday steps.
This 63.2 km route follows the desert canyons of southern Jordan from Dana's stone terraces high above the Great Rift Valley, through the Crusader fortress of Shobak, past the carved facades of Little Petra, and into the Nabataean city of Petra — a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
With Zelus, you walk the real trail coordinates from Dana to Al Khazneh (the Treasury). Your daily steps move you along the route on a live map, unlocking five milestone checkpoints at landmarks like Shobak Castle, the Royal Tombs, and the iconic rose-red Treasury facade.
5 milestones along the way
Each milestone marks a real landmark on the trail from Dana to Petra. Unlock them one by one as your daily steps add up.
Set out from Dana's stone terraces high above the Great Rift Valley, where Ottoman-era houses cling to the canyon edge.
Climb the Crusader battlements of Shobak — built by Baldwin I in 1115 — for sweeping views across the Jordanian desert.
Share mint tea beside the carved facades of Siq al-Barid (Little Petra), the ancient Nabataean suburb and trading post.
Pass beneath the monumental Royal Tombs — the Urn Tomb, Silk Tomb, and Palace Tomb — that guard Petra's heart.
Arrive at Al Khazneh, the rose-red Treasury carved into sheer sandstone over 2,000 years ago. Route complete — your medal is earned.
How it works
Ready to start walking?
Download Zelus and pick the Petra route. Your first steps today count toward the Treasury.
Frequently asked questions
How long does this challenge take?
The target is 70 days, but there's no time limit. At around 3 km of walking per day (roughly 4,000 steps), you'd finish in about 3 weeks. Go at whatever pace feels sustainable.
What is Petra?
Petra is an ancient Nabataean city carved into rose-red sandstone cliffs in southern Jordan. Built over 2,000 years ago, it's a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. The Treasury (Al Khazneh) is its most iconic facade.
Do I need to run?
No. Zelus is built for walking — commuting, errands, lunch walks, pacing on a phone call. Running counts too, but it's not required.
How are my steps converted to distance?
Zelus syncs with your phone's step counter and converts steps into kilometres using a calibrated stride length. Your position updates on the map automatically.
What happens when I finish?
You earn the Petra completion medal, which is permanently added to your profile. Then you can pick your next route from the 14+ challenges available.
What if I miss a day?
Nothing happens — your progress stays exactly where you left it. The goal is consistency over time, not perfection. Pick it back up whenever you're ready.