Running the Israeli Desert Selected Trail Running in the Israeli Desert by Eliya Zemmour, supported by Komoot Let's Go

Selected Desert Running in Israel Mamashit and Mount Tzayad Through the remains of a Nabataean city and the Yeruham Crater Escarpments Nature Reserve Type: Round Trip Distance: 32.2km Ascent: 550m Descent: 550m Time: 6-7 h Start: Colored Sands parking area End: Colored Sands parking area Variation: The route can be shortened by half by leaving a car at Mamshit National Park Advantages: The section from Mount Tzayad, along the northern rim of Yeruham Crater, to the end of the route is wild and unmarked Disadvantages: No access by public transportation Interest Point: Water refill available at Mamshit National Park Download FPX File

Selected Desert Running in Israel Ein Yorkeam and Tzfir Nahal Hatira, Yamin Ascent and Tzafir Fortress Type: Round Trip Distance: 19.7km Ascent: 470m Descent: 470m Time: 4-5h Start: Ein Yerke’am parking area End: Ein Yerke’am parking area Variation: The route can be shortened if needed by skipping Metzad Tzafir and turning north after Ma’ale Yamin Advantages: Up to Ma’ale Yamin the route is technical and canyon-like; from there it becomes a smooth, runnable trail Disadvantages: No access by public transportation Interest Point: Swimming at Ein Yerke’am or Gev Mishmeshit at the end of the route Download FPX File

Selected Desert Running in Israel Mount Yotveta and Mount Argaman Ma’ale Tzalea, linked to the Israel National Trail Type: Round Trip Distance: 30.1km Ascent: 810m Descent: 810m Time: 6-7h Start: Yotvata Kibbutz – Ma’ale Shaharut Elementary School parking End: Yotvata Kibbutz – Ma’ale Shaharut Elementary School parking Variation: The route can be shortened by about 3 km by skipping the climb to Mount Argaman Advantages: A very smooth, runnable route with non-technical terrain. Accessible by public transport Disadvantages: Once on the plateau, the route is committing Download GPX File

Selected Desert Running in Israel Maraton Timna Circle A monumental loop through the Timna Valley, from Yotvata to Be’er Ora Type: One Way Distance: 42.4km Ascent: 1120m Descent: 1140m Time: 8-10h Start: Yotvata Kibbutz – Ma’ale Shaharut Elementary School parking End: Beer Ora Variation: If needed, the route can be shortened to 30 km by escaping via Ma’ale Malhan into Timna Park and finishing at the park gate. See the shortened route here Advantages: A truly big route. Non-technical. Accessible by public transport Disadvantages: No water sources. A committing route. In short winter days, expect to finish with a headlamp. Do not attempt in summer Download GPX File

Selected Desert Running in Israel Yahel A loop around Mount Ya’alon on the mountain-bike singletracks of Kibbutz Yahal Type: Round Trip Distance: 24.6km Ascent: 340m Descent: 340m Time: 4-5h Start: Entrance gate of Kibbutz Yahal End: Entrance gate of Kibbutz Yahal Advantages: A very smooth, runnable route with non-technical terrain. The layout makes it easy to shorten or extend. Accessible by public transport Disadvantages: The route is not marked, but the singletracks are very clear Download GPX File

Selected Desert Running in Israel Half loop around the Small Crater Ashmedai Gate, Ali Ascent and Nahal Matzleot Type: Round Trip Distance: 22.1km Ascent: 750m Descent: 750m Time: 4-5 m Start: Ashmedai Gate End: Ashmedai Gate Advantages: Includes a beautiful section of the Israel National Trail with impressive crater views Disadvantages: No access by public transport Download GPX File

Selected Desert Running in Israel Nahal Shualim and Hatira Massif A long point-to-point route from Yeruham to Midreshet Ben-Gurion via Daruch Stream Type: One Way Distance: 38.0km Ascent: 660m Descent: 660m Time: 6-7h Start: Yeruham End: Midreshet Ben Gurion Variation: It’s possible to shorten the route by about 10 km by finishing at Merhav Am (public transport available) – see route here Advantages: Running along the western rim of the crater is excellent — an unmarked but beautiful section. Public transport access to both Yeruham and Midreshet Ben-Gurion Disadvantages: A committing route. No water sources Download GPX File

Selected Desert Running in Israel Slot in the Chawar A wild chalkland route in the Sdom Plains Type: Round Trip Distance: 25.0km Ascent: 230m Descent: 230m Time: 3-4 h Start: Ein Plutit End: Ein Plutit Variation: The route can be shortened by half if a car is shuttled to Highway 90 Advantages: The west–east section follows a smooth, flowing mountain-bike singletrack Disadvantages: The route is unmarked but very intuitive Recommendation: You can take a dip at Ein Plotit at the end of the route Download GPX File

Selected Desert Running in Israel Yeruham Crater and Mount Karbolet A Small Circle in a Big Crater Type: Round Trip Distance: 18.3km Ascent: 664m Descent: 662m Time: 3-4h Start: Colored Sands Campground, Yeruham Crater End: Colored Sands Campground, Yeruham Crater Variation: Instead of descending into the crater around mount Karbolet (the descent is not marked as a path) it is possible to descent south toward Oron factory and run back north on the service road of the factory to the starting point Advantages: The run on the crust of mount Karbolet is excellent Disadvantages: Water is not available. The small section of running down to the crater is a bit of scrambling on unmarked path. Public transportation is not available Download GPX File

Selected Desert Running in Israel Crater to Crater No Other Place in the World with Such Craters and There is Only One Run Connecting Them Type: One Way Distance: 19.5km Ascent: 745m Descent: 585m Time: 3-4h Start: Colored Sands Campground, Yeruham Crater End: Colored Sands Campground, Yeruham Crater Variation 1: The route can be toughen by running the opposite direction (more ascending). Then its also make sense to dip toward the end in Ein Yorkeam pond Variation 2: The route can be shorten slightly by starting from Ein Yorkeam nightcamp Advantages: An elegant line through a crater, dry riverbed and then a long flowing line until the end Disadvantages: Water is not available. It is unlikely to hitchhike back from Maale Akrabim nightcamp (the end) which forcing to deposit a car. Public transportation is not available Interest Point: It is recommended to eat in Humus Inti in Yeruham on the way back. Not on the approach though Download FPX File

Selected Desert Running in Israel Yeruham Crater Circle A Big Panoramic and Elegant Circle around a Breathtaking Phenomenon Type: Round Trip Distance: 40.1km Ascent: 1190 m Descent: 1190 m Time: 8-9h Start: Colored Sands Nightcamp, Yeruham Crater End: Colored Sands Nightcamp, Yeruham Crater Variation 1: The route can be exited at the meeting point with road 225 which traverse the crater south to the starting point Variation 2: The opposite direction is like a new route Advantages: A flowing line without technical sections. Mostly panoramic. Although there is no water along the route it is easy and recommended to deposit water at the crossing with road 225 (you anyhow approach through it) Disadvantages: Substantial descent. Public transportation is not available Download GPX File