Selected Desert Running in Israel Tzafit and Paras A short route between two beautiful and technical nehalim in the northern Arava Type: Round Trip Distance: 16.8km Ascent: 346m Descent: 346m Fast-Trekking Duration: 3-4 h Start: Tzafit Canyon trailhead End: Tzafit Canyon trailhead GPX File Israel Hiking Map Character : A half-day route linking two technical wadis, featuring ladder sections and a visit to the Pools of Peres (Gevai Peres). Advantages: There is an option to shorten the route by connecting from the end of Tzafit Stream to Highway 25. Although both canyons are short, they include several beautiful ladder sections. Running in the soft sand of the canyons is tough. Disadvantages: The final 3 km running along Highway 90 are a bit of a letdown. Variation : A monumental 35 km route featuring a detour to Ein Tzafit, the top of Ma’ale Hatzera, and Nahal Mazar — you can find it here . It is recommended to cache water at the Nahal Tamar night parking area aside road 25.

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 .

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 XC Eilat Mountains ⟷28.2km ↗933m ,One Way או ⟷42km ↗1700m ,One Way Mount Ayt and Kasui Dune ⟷32.4km ↗550m ,Round Trip Yotvata to Shaharut ⟷21.7km ↗680m ,Round Trip Barak and Vardit ⟷30.3km ↗660m ,Round Trip או ⟷20.3km ↗430m ,Round Trip Mount Tzfahot and Gishron Cliffs ⟷21.9km ↗920m ,Round Trip Or ⟷13.2km ↗800m ,One Way Timna Sightseeing ⟷25.4km ↗540m ,Round Trip Or ⟷15.6km ↗390m ,Round Trip Timna Circle ⟷29.3km ↗970m ,Round Trip Or ⟷27.5km ↗800m ,Round Trip Timna Valley Marathon ⟷42.4km ↗1120m ,One Way Or ⟷30.9km ↗880m ,One Way Mount Yotveta and Mount Argaman ⟷30.1km ↗810m ,Round Trip Or ⟷28.2km ↗750m ,Round Trip Yahel ⟷24.6km ↗340m ,Round Trip Or ⟷18.9km ↗270m ,Round Trip Bat Sheva and Mount Shlomo ⟷20.2km ↗720m ,Round Trip Or ⟷15.9km ↗580m ,Round Trip Tzafit and Paras ⟷16.8km ↗346m ,Round trip Or ⟷34.6km ↗930m ,Round Trip The Red Canyon and Rehem ⟷24.7km ↗980m ,Round Trip או ⟷13km ↗710m ,One Way Sapir ⟷24.8km ↗800m ,Round Trip

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 .

Running the Judaean Desert Tours Judaean Desert Negev Mountains Arava Seven Ascents in the Dead Sea A line of ascents via Ashal, Mishmar, Tze’elim, and Masada One Way, 31.1km Tzeelim Challenge 8 Ascents of Tzeelim Canyon Round Trip, 40.3km Jabal Hermon Spaghetti One of the Most Beautiful Runs in the Country Round Trip, 20.8km Masada to Arad A Big Line Throughout the Judaean Desert One Way 18.9km Masada and Kanaim Valley Running the Runner Path of Masada and Mount Elazar Round Trip, 28.1km The Ein Gedi Trilogy An Open Buffet of Ascents: Mount Tzruya, Mount Ein Gedi and Mount Ishai Round Trip, 20.7km Ein Bokek A 5 Stars Line Above the Fancy Hotels Round Trip, 20km Tzeelim Circle Tzfira Pond and Anava Ascent Round Trip, 25km Tzeelim and Mishmar 3 Technical Ascents, 2 Canyons, and One Desert Plateau Round Trip, 19.9km Ein Gedi To Mishmar A Flowing Line on the Desert’s Plateau One Way, 19.9km Mitzpe Shalem to Metzoke Dragot Mikvar Ascent and A Gentle Taste of the Desert Round Trip, 16km Tamarim Knives Tamarim Ascent and Two Panoramic Ridge Lines to Keren El-Hajar Round Trip, 24.7km Og and Jabel Hermon Between the Negev and the Arava: Ma’ale Akrabim and Ma’ale Tzfir Round Trip, 27.6km Muntar and Marsaba The most beautiful monastery in the country, right in the backyard of Ma’ale Adumim Round Trip, 25.6km Slot in the Chawar A wild chalkland route in the Sdom Plains Round Trip, 25.0km Shaat Knifes Bokek Ascent and free-style along the knife-edge ridges Round Trip, 25.7km Maon Ranch to Ein Gedi From the southern edge of Mount Hebron to the Dead Sea One Way, 36.1km

Selected Desert Running in Israel - Mount Ramon to Mount Arif Arif Marathon As far from civilization as it gets — and long enough to strip things back Type: Round Trip Distance: 42.9km Ascent: 940m Descent: 940m Fast-Trekking Duration: 9-10h Start: Har Ramon Night Camp End: Har Ramon Night Camp GPX File Israel Hiking Map Character : A high-volume circular and relatively technical route linking Har Ramon and Har Arif. The course is built around four main segments: from Har Ramon to Be’erot Oded — a flowing downhill jeep track; from Be’erot Oded to Har Arif — a technical trail; from Har Arif Campground to Ma’ale Lutz — a steady climbing jeep track; and from Ma’ale Lutz to the connection with Mitzpe Arud — a technical trail. Advantages : A wild and remote running line, accessible only during limited suitable conditions throughout the year. Disadvantages : No water sources. Technical terrain for running. No public transportation access. Attention : It is highly recommended to cache water the day before at Har Arif Campground; otherwise, carrying sufficient water will significantly burden the run. Recommended to sleep overnight in Mitzpe Ramon and begin at sunrise. Do not attempt on hot days. Pro Tip 1 : Aim to be on Har Ramon at sunrise. Pro Tip 2 : The route can be turned into a bike–hike combo: ride 5 km to the black trail junction toward Ma’ale Lutz, cache the bike, and continue on foot for the circular section. See variation here . The running segment remains 32 km.

Selected Desert Running in Israel Timna Sightseeing Visiting Timna Park’s Attractions Type: Round Trip Distance: 25.4km Ascent: 540m Descent: 540m Fast-Trekking Duration: 5-6h Start: Timna Park entrance gate End: Timna Park entrance gate GPX File Israel Hiking Map Character : A route inside Timna Park, partly flowing along mountain-bike singletracks and partly slightly technical with wadi terrain. A non-committing line. In a relatively safe environment with a coffee stop midway. Advantages: An excellent route for getting to know desert running in a safe environment, without technical sections (except for Mount Timna). You can stop for water and coffee at Timna Lake. There are countless spots to camp. Public transportation reaches the main road (from there, hitchhiking to the park is required). Disadvantages: The park might contain many visitors which may not feel wild as a desert should feel. Variation: This route can be shortened or extended in many ways — the park is dense with trails. Below is a softer 15 km version that includes the lake (with a café stop) and Mount Timna. You can find the route here .

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 Fast-Trekking Duration: 6-7 h Start: Colored Sands parking area End: Colored Sands parking area GPX File Israel Hiking Map Character : A route featuring a fast and flowing section along Nahal Mamshit to Mamshit National Park, followed by an unmarked and wild return segment, partially panoramic, through the Makhtesh HaGadol Ridge Reserve. 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.

Selected Desert Running in Israel Nahal Og, Sugar Trail and Jabal Hermon Spaghetti between ridges and powder Type: Round Trip Distance: 27.6km Ascent: 890m Descent: 890m Fast-Trekking Duration: 7-8h Start: Nahal Og Parking End: Nahal Og Parking GPX File Israel Hiking Map Character: A big but non-committing route with multiple shortening options. The route has three main sections: a flowing, powdery leg along the Sugar Trail; a slower return leg through Nahal Og, including movement along the canyon rim and sandy terrain; and a panoramic loop on Jabal Haramon, featuring a smooth, photogenic line. Advantages: Easy to run and very flowy aside Nahal Og section Disadvantage: No water points. Recommendation: Cache water at the Nabi Musa bridge. Variation: The route can be shortened in many places thanks to the smooth, non-technical terrain. One can avoid Jabal Hermon section - see variation here .

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: 640m Descent: 490m Fast-Trekking Duration: 4-5h Start: Colored Sands Campground, Yeruham Crater End: Maale Akrabim Campground GPX File Israel Hiking Map Character : A route connecting the Yeruham Crater to the Small Crater via Nahal Yamin and Ma’ale Zafir. A diverse course featuring panoramic viewpoints, sustained ascents, sandy wadi sections, and open plateau terrain. Advantages : A varied and elegant desert traverse. Start and finish points allow for relatively simple vehicle shuttling. Disadvantages : No water sources. Hitchhiking back from Ma’ale Akrabim campground is unlikely, requiring vehicle logistics. No public transportation access. Point of Interest : Highly recommended to eat at Hummus Inti in Yeruham after the run. Variation 1 : The route can be done in the opposite direction. In that case, it makes sense to finish with a dip at Ein Yorke’am, though the cumulative ascent is greater. Variation 2 : A longer 38 km version continues across the Small Crater and finishes at Meizad Tamar. See full route here . Requires careful time planning.

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 Fast-Trekking Duration : 7-8h Start : Yeruham Stronghold End : Midreshet Ben Gurion GPX File Israel Hiking Map Character : A volume route, partially unmarked but very clear, running between two central Negev towns. Non-technical overall, except for the Horseshoe (Parsat Daruch) section, which includes a stunning panoramic segment above the Yeruham Crater and the impressive Nahal Daruch. 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. Variation : It’s possible to shorten the route by about 10 km by finishing at Merhav Am (public transport available) – see route here.

Selected Desert Running in Israel Barak, Vardit and Kippa Two wild canyons and a viewpoint overlooking the Ashosh Valley deep in the Arava Type: Round Trip Distance: 30.3km Ascent: 660m Descent: 660m Fast-Trekking Duration: 6-7 h Start: Barak Canyon trailhead End: Barak Canyon trailhead GPX File Israel Hiking Map Character : A route deep in the Central Arava, passing through two canyons with technical terrain and a light, open section toward Har Kipa. Advantages: A visit to two of the most beautiful canyons in the Arava. A route with several variations. Disadvantages: Reaching the Barak Canyon trailhead by private car is slightly challenging. Note: The run along the Hidud cliffs and the ascent onto them is on an unmarked trail. Variation 1: The route can be shortened by 10 km if you skip the run to Mount Kippa. See route here . Variation 2: The route shown here follows the green trail without entering the pools in Barak Stream. You can choose to enter them via the blue trail, but note that if the pools are full of water, swimming is unavoidable.