Selected Desert Running in Israel Ein Bokek A 5 Stars Line Above the Fancy Hotels Type: Round Trip Distance: 21.3km Ascent: 930m Descent: 930m Fast Trekking Duration: 6-7h Start: Bokek Ruins, Ein Bokek End: Bokek Ruins, Ein Bokek GPX File Israel Hiking Map Character : A varied route that samples ascent, viewpoints, a wadi, and an open desert plateau. The first leg climbs Ma’ale Bokek and continues south along the Judean Desert plateau, partly following the Israel Bike Trail, then descends via the pedestrian Ma’ale Zeron. The return leg climbs north via Ma’ale Yizrach and continues on an unmarked but clear trail back to the cliff edge, then heads north along the rim with panoramic views of the Dead Sea — finishing again via Ma’ale Bokek. Apart from the two ascents, the route is not technical. Advantages : Accessible by public transport. Multiple shortening options. Varied terrain. Significant climb. Disadvantages : No water point. Significant cumulative descent. Variation : The route can be shortened by exiting to Road 31 near Ma’ale Zaron and from there hitching a ride, arranging a shuttle, or taking public transportation back to Ein Bokek — see variation here . Point of Interest : Hummus Eliyahu in Ein Bokek.

Selected Desert Running in Israel Mount Ardon to Mitzpe Ramon Mahmal Ascent and a Long Panoramic Line Above Ramon Crater Type: One Way Distance: 34.2km Ascent: 880m Descent: 470m Fast-Trekking Duration: 7-8h Start: Be'erot Campground (Accessible with a private car) End: Mitzpe Ramon by the gas station GPX File Israel Hiking Map Character : A high-volume route climbing from the depths of Ramon Crater to Mitzpe Ramon. The course includes two major ascents — Ma’ale Ardon and Ma’ale Makhmal — followed by a flowing panoramic line, partly on bike singletracks and partly on jeep roads, all the way to Mitzpe Ramon. Advantages : Aside from Ma’ale Ardon, the route is flowing and runnable with no technical sections. Predominantly panoramic throughout. Disadvantages : No water sources. Hitchhiking back to Be’erot Campground is difficult, requiring vehicle shuttling. No public transportation access. Variation : The route can be made easier by running it in the opposite direction (less cumulative ascent). Point of Interest : Be’erot Campground is an excellent base point for routes in the eastern Ramon Crater.

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 Fast-Trekking Duration: 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

A guidebook to long routes and trail running in the Judean, Negev, and Arava deserts​ 50 Most Beautiful Trails in the Israeli Desert Guide to Long Routes and Trail Running in the Judean, Negev and Arava Deserts Judea Negev Arava 7 Ascents in the Dead Sea ⟷31.1km ↗1820m ,One Way Masada and Kanaim Valley ⟷28.1km ↗890m ,Round Trip Or ⟷25km ↗660m ,Round Trip Tzeelim Challenge ⟷40.3km ↗1860m ,Round Trip The Ein Gedi Trilogy ⟷21.5km ↗1370m, Round Trip Ein Bokek ⟷20km ↗660m ,Round Trip Or ⟷12.8km ↗500m ,Round Trip Mikvar and Tor Shoulder ⟷21.3km ↗960m ,One Way Or ⟷18.3km ↗830m ,One Way Tzeelim Circle ⟷25km ↗970m ,Round Trip Or ⟷15.6km ↗680m ,Round Trip Nahal Og, Sugar Trail and Jabal Hermon ⟷27.6km ↗890m, Round Trip או ⟷16.5km ↗430m, Round Trip Masada to Arad ⟷18.9km ↗1040m ,One Way Jabal Hermon Spaghetti ⟷20.8km ↗630m ,Round Trip Or ⟷14.8km ↗530m ,Round Trip Tamarim Knives ⟷24.6km ↗1060m ,Round Trip Or ⟷22.2km ↗880m ,Round Trip Ein Gedi To Mishmar ⟷18.8km ↗720m ,One Way Or ⟷34.4km ↗1190m ,One Way Mount Muntar and Marsaba Monastery ⟷25.6km ↗770m ,Round Trip Slot in the Chawar ⟷25km ↗230m ,Round Trip או ⟷12.7km ↗10m ,One Way Shaat Knifes and Mount Parsa ⟷25.8km ↗830m ,Round Trip Or ⟷16.5km ↗630m ,Round Trip Tzeelim and Mishmar ⟷19.9km ↗880m ,Round Trip Or ⟷11.4km ↗540m ,One Way XC Judean Desert ⟷36.1km ↗350m, One Way

Selected Desert Running in Israel Masada to Arad A Big Line Throughout the Judaean Desert Type: One-Way Distance: 18.9km Ascent: 1040m Descent: 180m Fast-Trekking Duration: 5-6h Start: Masada Hostel / East Parking End: Moav View Point, Arad GPX File Israel Hiking Map Character : Route on the Judean Desert plateau – a non-technical route with a moderate, sustained ascent. Variation 1: The route can be shorten slightly by starting at Masada west parking and bypass Elazar ascent. Variation 2: The opposite direction of the route is easier. Advantages: Accessible with public transportation to the trailhead. Disadvantage: Water is not available. It is unlikely to hitchhike back to the starting point. One therefore need to deposit a car or take a taxi back. Recommendation: Han Badulina in Ein Gedi is a great base to stay for a few days

Run the Israeli Desert Masada and Kanaim Valley The Runner Trail of Masada and Mount Elazar Type: Round Trip Distance: 28.1km Ascent: 890m Descent: 890m Fast Trekking Duration: 7-8h Start: Masada Hostel, East Parking End: Masada Hostel, East Parking GPX File Israel Hiking Map Character : A route that begins with a moderate climb along the Runner’s Trail, followed by a circular loop around the Kana’im Valley, mostly non-technical. The route finishes with a descent via Ma’ale Elazar. Parts of the route are unmarked, but the trails are clear. The return leg is a gentle, excellent downhill on a bike singletrack that’s great for running. Advantages : Accessible by public transportation. Disadvantages : No water point. Significant cumulative descent. Note : From the junction with Road 3199 until the trail that climbs Mount Elazar, the route is unmarked. There is a bike singletrack that runs along this section. Variation : A shorter 25 km version starts at Masada West and reduces the climbing load — see route here .

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 Fast-Trekking Duration: 4-5h Start: Entrance gate of Kibbutz Yahal End: Entrance gate of Kibbutz Yahal GPX File Israel Hiking Map Character : An open, flowing route around Kibbutz Yahel, following the local mountain bike singletracks. A non-committing route with minimal elevation gain. Advantages : Very runnable and non-technical. The terrain layout makes it easy to shorten or extend the route. Accessible by public transportation. Disadvantages : The route is not officially marked, but the singletracks are very clear and easy to follow. Point of Interest : The only restaurant recommendation on this entire site: Ursula Restaurant in Tzukim. Variation : A shortened circular version of 18 km can be found here .

Selected Desert Running in Israel Timna Circle Malhan Ascent, Mount Berekh and Mount Timna Type: Round Trip Distance: 29.3km Ascent: 970m Descent: 970m Fast-Trekking Duration: 7-8h Start: Timna park’s entrance End: Timna park’s entrance GPX File Israel Hiking Map Character : A route that climbs from the Timna Valley up to the Timna cliffs and loops around the park. It tackles three major ascents – Ma’aleh Malhan, Ma’aleh Barekh, and Ma’aleh Har Timna – with significant elevation gain overall. This is a demanding route that requires solid fitness and the ability to handle sustained climbs. Advantages : Mostly flowing terrain. Running above the Timna cliffs feels wild and is highly recommended. Panoramic for much of the way. Public transportation access to the main road (from there, you’ll need a hitchhike into the park). Disadvantages : No water sources. A demanding route with limited shortening options. Note : As proposed, the route does not require paying the park entrance fee. Variation : Toward the end, the route can be slightly shortened by skipping the climb up Mount Timna and returning to the car via the main internal park road. That said, it would be a shame to miss what is arguably the most beautiful “table mountain” in Israel. The variation does not significantly reduce the total distance, but it does allow for a faster exit if you are approaching sunset. See route here .

Selected Desert Running in Israel Mount Ramon and Mount Ido A Wild Circle on a Moon-Like Terrain Type: Round Trip Distance: 19.6km Ascent: 501m Descent: 501m Fast-Trekking Duration: 4-5h Start: Parking area east to mount Ramon (accessible with private car) End: Parking area east to mount Ramon GPX File Israel Hiking Map Character : A flowing, non-technical route in the eastern Ramon Crater with modest cumulative ascent and predominantly panoramic terrain. Advantages : Smooth and runnable with no technical sections. Largely panoramic throughout. An easy shortening option is available. Disadvantages : No water sources. No public transportation access. Point of Interest : Recommended to visit Nana Winery in the area after the run. Variation : If needed, the route can be shortened to 13 km by skipping the ascent to Har Ido. See shortened route here .

Selected Desert Running in Israel Sapir A triangular route from Sapir with views over Tzevira Stream and a visit to Gev Tzevira Type: Round Trip Distance: 25.5km Ascent: 400m Descent: 400m Fast-Trekking Duration: 5-6 h Start: Sapir End: Sapir GPX File Israel Hiking Map Character : A mostly open, non-technical route in the Central Arava, featuring a panoramic section and an option for a refreshing dip. The first section follows the Springs Route (a jeep track). It then climbs to the panoramic Sdamim viewpoint and descends to Gav Sdamim, with the return leg running through Nahal Ashboran — an unmarked and wild section. Advantages: Outstanding panoramic running along the Tzevira cliffs. Disadvantages: The final leg from Mount Gavim to the connection with the Israel National Trail is unmarked, though there are stone cairns.

Selected Desert Running in Israel XC Eilat Mountains Mount Yehoram to Beer Ora Type: One Way Distance: 28.2km Ascent: 933m Descent: 1454m Fast-Trekking Duration: 7-8h Start: Campground Mount Yehoram End: Beer Ora GPX File Israel Hiking Map Character : A south-to-north traverse of the Eilat Mountains across varied terrain — both technical and flowing — with significant elevation gain. A committing route. Advantages : Dramatic scenery. Technical terrain. A water point in Nahal Shkhoret (a stainless-steel tank intended for thru-hikers — no guarantee it is full). Disadvantages : Relatively committing. No access by public transportation. Variation 1 : You can shorten the route by 2 km by skipping Mount Shlomo. See route here . Variation 2 : The route can be significantly shortened into a 12 km half-day option by exiting through Shkhoret Canyon to Shkhoret night parking area. Access is possible by private vehicle or with a pre-arranged shuttle. See route here . Variation 3 : For the big kids — a monumental Eilat Mountains crossing linking Mount Tzafot to Be’er Ora. See route here .

A guidebook to long routes and trail running in the Judean, Negev, and Arava deserts Fifty Most Beautiful Trails in the Israeli Desert A guidebook to long routes and trail running in the Judean, Negev, and Arava deserts by Eliya Zemmour, supported by Komoot Let's Go