Mount Karbolet and Tzin
The Big Crater and a Taste of Tzin Desert
Type: One Way
Distance: 36.4km
Ascent: 1030m
Descent: 850m
Fast-Trekking Duration: 9-10h
Start: Colored Sands Campground, Yeruham Crater
End: Midreshet Ben Gurion
Character: A long line linking two consecutive Israel National Trail sections: the first a knife-edge, panoramic traverse along the eastern rim of the Yeruham Crater (one of the most beautiful segments of the Israel Trail), and the second dipping into the Zin Desert with a long, flat, open stretch finishing at Midreshet Ben-Gurion.
Advantages: Outstanding running along the eastern rim of the crater. A diverse and highly wild desert traverse.
Disadvantages: A committing route. No water sources. No public transportation access. Vehicle shuttling required. No convenient water cache point (though with effort, water can be cached the day before at Nahal Madar campsite).
Pro Tip: Gav Ofarim on the descent into the Zin Desert sits halfway through the route — perfectly timed for a dip.
Pro Tip 2: Especially recommended on a day with active easterly winds.
Variation: A shortened 18 km circular version with 660 m of ascent focusing on Har Karbolet can be found here. The variation descends after Har Karbolet into the crater interior via the Pipeline Line (unmarked and moderately steep) and returns to the starting point via Nahal Havion.