Location and surroundings
Tall al Mā lies in Jordan, in the Karak region and Ayy Sub-District, within the broad chain of the Levant Ranges in Western Asia. At 1,250 m, it sits in a highland landscape rather than low desert, with villages, ridges and scattered communication masts around it. The nearest settlements are close enough that the hill feels part of a lived-in rural area, not an isolated summit.
The surrounding ground is already elevated, and the local relief is modest. Ai is about 2.0 km west, Joze about 3.1 km northwest, Kethrabba about 3.8 km west, and Al Adnanyah about 4.0 km east. That makes the hill accessible from several directions, with short approaches across open country and village land.
Neighbouring peaks
The closest named hills and ridges around Tall al Mā are all within easy reach of the same highland zone. They are close enough that the summit is part of a cluster of peaks rather than a lone rise.
- Tall al Maysah — 1,204 m, 0.4 km east
- Jabal Mandūbah — 1,178 m, 3.9 km north
- Shaqq al Ḩā’iţ — 1,241 m, 9.8 km south
- Jabal aḑ Ḑabāb — 1,286 m, 10.8 km south
- Rujm Madīnat ar Rās — 1,223 m, 11.8 km southwest
- Rujm aş Şakhrī — 1,215 m, 13.3 km southeast
Compared with these neighbours, Tall al Mā is higher than some nearby knolls but lower than Jabal aḑ Ḑabāb. The closest summit, Tall al Maysah, is only slightly lower and very near to the east.
The view from the summit
Within 25 km, the highest surrounding peaks give a clear sense of the local highlands. To the south is Jabal aḑ Ḑabāb at 1,286 m, 10.8 km away. Also to the south are Shaqq al Ḩā’iţ at 1,241 m, 9.8 km away, and farther southwest Rujm Madīnat ar Rās at 1,223 m. To the southeast lies Rujm aş Şakhrī at 1,215 m, while Jabal Mandūbah rises to the north.
From a clear summit, these hills would shape the near horizon more than distant mountains. The setting is one of rolling uplands, so the view is likely to be dominated by nearby ridges, villages and open ground rather than by far-off alpine peaks.
The range
Tall al Mā belongs to the Levant Ranges, which stretch across Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestinian Territory, Syria and Turkey. The highest peak of the range is Qornet es Saouda at 3,088 m, about 355 km north of Tall al Mā. This hill ranks 1966th among the 5,182 named peaks in the range.
That ranking places it well below the major summits of the Levant, but still within a large and varied mountain system. The range includes high mountains, limestone uplands and many smaller named hills like this one, spread across several countries.
Getting there
The nearest settlements are the most useful approach points: Ai is 2.0 km west, Joze 3.1 km northwest, Kethrabba 3.8 km west, and Al Adnanyah 4.0 km east. From Ai, the walk to the top is about 2.7 km on foot with roughly 360 m of ascent, taking about 55–80 minutes by Naismith’s rule. The real route may be longer depending on the line taken.
OpenStreetMap also shows eight communication masts within 10 km, with the nearest about 2.0 km west.
Climate and weather
Climate estimates from NASA POWER for 2001–2020 suggest a fairly dry highland setting around Tall al Mā. At summit height, the warmest month is July, at about 23 °C, and the coldest is January, at about 8 °C. Mean temperatures stay above freezing in every month, so snow and ice are not a regular summer concern, though winter weather can still feel cool and changeable.
Annual precipitation in the surrounding area is about 250 mm. January is the wettest month at about 65 mm, while June is the driest at about 0 mm. That pattern points to a dry season in late spring and early summer, with the wetter part of the year in the cooler months.
Best time to visit
For a short hill walk, the most comfortable period is usually the cooler part of the year, when temperatures are milder and the landscape is less dry. Around Tall al Mā, winter and early spring are the wetter months, while late spring and early summer are driest. That means the ground may be firmer later in the dry season, but heat and sun exposure can become more noticeable.
Because summit temperatures are still warm in summer, the main limits are likely to be sun, dryness and wind rather than cold. A morning start is sensible in most seasons, especially if you are walking from one of the nearby villages.
Nature and wildlife
This part of Jordan is typical highland country: open slopes, rocky ground, dry grassland and scattered shrubs rather than dense forest. In a landscape like this, vegetation is usually adapted to limited rainfall and seasonal heat, with tougher grasses and low bushes on exposed ground. Around villages, cultivation and grazing may also shape the scenery.
Wildlife in such uplands often includes birds of open country, small mammals and reptiles, with activity changing through the seasons. On a walk here, the main natural features are likely to be the open terrain, the dry climate and the broad views across the surrounding hills.
Practical tips
A walk to Tall al Mā is short, but it still needs ordinary hill sense. Wear footwear that handles rough ground, dust or loose rock, and take a light layer for wind on the summit. In the warmer months, sun protection matters more than heavy mountain gear, and it is wise to carry enough water for the outing even though the route is brief.
Keep to obvious paths where they exist, especially near village land and any rough slopes. For emergencies in Jordan, the mountain rescue and unified emergency number is 911.
Interesting facts
Tall al Mā is a named hill in the Levant Ranges and ranks 1966th by elevation among the range’s 5,182 named peaks. Its nearest higher neighbour within the local group is Jabal aḑ Ḑabāb, which rises to 1,286 m and lies 10.8 km to the south. The closest summit, Tall al Maysah, is only 0.4 km to the east and is slightly lower.
The hill is part of a highland belt that spans several countries, but its immediate setting is local and rural, with villages close by and communication masts in the area. That makes it a useful example of the smaller named summits that fill out the mountain landscape of southern Jordan.
FAQ
How high is Tall al Mā? It rises to 1,250 m.
Where is Tall al Mā? It is in Jordan, in Karak region and Ayy Sub-District, within the Levant Ranges of Western Asia.
What is the nearest village? Ai is the closest settlement listed, about 2.0 km west of the summit.
How long does it take to walk up from Ai? The estimate from Ai is about 55–80 minutes, based on distance and height gain; the real path may be longer.
What is on the top? The summit is a hilltop in open highland country; the surrounding area includes nearby peaks, villages and communication masts.
What can I expect from mobile phone coverage? There are eight communication masts within 10 km, with the nearest about 2.0 km west, so a signal is likely on open ground, but it can fail in deeper hollows or behind ridges. 112 reaches emergency services over any available network, and maps should be downloaded before setting out.
What hills are close by? The nearest named high point is Tall al Maysah, 0.4 km east and slightly lower. Other nearby hills include Jabal Mandūbah to the north and Jabal aḑ Ḑabāb to the south.