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 Timna Valley Marathon A monumental loop around the Timna Valley, from Yotvata to Be’er Ora Type: One Way Distance: 42.4km Ascent: 1120m Descent: 1140m Fast-Trekking Duration: 9-10h Start: Yotvata Kibbutz – Ma’ale Shaharut Elementary School parking End: Beer Ora GPX File Israel Hiking Map Character : One-way routes require logistical planning with shuttles or hitchhiking, so the natural preference is usually for loop routes. But this one is worth the effort: a point-to-point route that circumnavigates the entire Timna Valley, from Yotvata to Be’er Ora. It is remote, and even the main escape option still leaves you with a solid 30 km on your legs. The terrain is not particularly technical, but it is panoramic throughout, with a long, steady and meaningful ascent. Advantages : A big route in every sense. Not technical. Accessible by public transportation. Disadvantages : No water sources. A committing route. During the short winter days, expect to finish with a headlamp. Do not attempt this route in summer. Recommendation : Start at first light. Pro Tip: The prevailing wind in the area is northerly. On a day with strong north wind, the route feels noticeably easier with a tailwind. Pro Tip 2: There is no easy water cache option along the route. If you insist, you can climb up to the top of Ma’aleh Barekh the day before and stash water there. Variation : If needed, the route can be shortened to 30 km by exiting via Ma’aleh Malhan into Timna Park and finishing at the park gate. See shortened route here .

Selected Desert Running in Israel Small Crater - Half Loop Ashmedai Gate, Ali Ascent and Nahal Matzleot Type: Round Trip Distance: 23.3km Ascent: 770m Descent: 770m Fast-Trekking Duration: 4-5 m Start: Machtesh View Point Parking End: Machtesh View Point Parking GPX File Israel Hiking Map Character : A diverse route featuring two technical ascents — Ma’ale Eli and Ma’ale Nahal Mitzlaot — followed by a fast and open line crossing the Small Crater and connecting to the Mitzlaot ridge axis. Advantages : Includes a beautiful section of the Israel National Trail with impressive views over the Small Crater. Disadvantages : A committing route. No public transportation access. Pro Tip : A dip at Gev Yamin at the end of the route.

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

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 Fast-Trekking Duration: 8-9h Start: Colored Sands Nightcamp, Yeruham Crater End: Colored Sands Nightcamp, Yeruham Crater GPX File Israel Hiking Map Character : A long route encircling Makhtesh Yeruham along the crater rim, on terrain comfortable for running. The southern section follows the officially marked Israel National Trail. The northern section is not officially marked, but the path is clear. Highly recommended. Advantages : Flowing, runnable terrain with no technical sections. Panoramic for most of the way. Disadvantages : Significant cumulative descent. No access by public transportation. Pro Tip : Although there is no water source along the route, it is easy and recommended to cache water at the junction with Road 225, which you will pass anyway on the way to the start point. Note : It may not feel intuitive, but the route includes substantial cumulative elevation gain. A big day. Variation 1 : A shortened point-to-point option of 28 km can be planned, finishing at Road 225 which crosses the crater. See route here . Variation 2 : Running the route in the opposite direction feels like an entirely new course.

Eliya Zemmour Authors Eliya Zemmour Trail runner, mountain climber and paragliding pilot eliya.zemmour@gmail.com Sharon Sznitman Professor of Public Health and Head of the Physical Activity and Exercise (MPH) Program at the University of Haifa sznitman@research.haifa.ac.il

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 Fast-Trekking Duration: 6-7h Start: Yotvata Kibbutz – Ma’ale Shaharut Elementary School parking End: Yotvata Kibbutz – Ma’ale Shaharut Elementary School parking GPX File Israel Hiking Map Character : A route skirting the northern edge of the Timna Valley, climbing from Yotvata via Ma’aleh Tzala, continuing along a panoramic stretch of the Israel National Trail, and descending back to Yotvata via Ma’aleh Zugan. The terrain is relatively easy underfoot, yet it feels wild and remote. Ma’aleh Tzala is moderate in gradient. The route makes a short detour to the summit of Har Argaman — simply because it’s too beautiful to ignore. Apart from the optional Argaman spur, the route is committing. Advantages : Very flowing and runnable terrain. Not technical. Accessible by public transportation. Disadvantages : Once you climb onto the plateau, the route becomes committing with limited exit options. Variation : You can shorten the route by about 3 km by skipping the climb up Har Argaman. See route here.

Selected Desert Running in Israel Bat Sheva and Mount Shlomo Visit the Alp of Eilat Type: Round Trip Distance: 19.8km Ascent: 720m Descent: 720m Fast-Trekking Duration: 5-6h Start: Netafim - Rodad Parking End: Netafim - Rodad Parking GPX File Israel Hiking Map Character : A dramatic route in the heart of the Eilat Mountains. A technical ascent via Nahal Bat Sheva, climbing on ladders and steep terrain up to the summit of Mount Shlomo. From there, a flowing and enjoyable descent through Roded Valley. The final kilometers follow the sandy bed of Nahal Roded back to the starting point. For dessert, an extra 3 km along Yotam Ridge. A not particularly committing route with several shortening options. Advantages : A beautiful and highly diverse route with lovely ladder climbs along Nahal Bat Sheva and flowing running from the summit of Mount Shlomo down to Nahal Roded. Disadvantages : No access by public transportation. Variation 1 : The route can be shortened to 16 km — instead of descending via Nahal Roded, descend via Nahal Netafim. See route here . Variation 2: It can also be shortened to 16 km by skipping Yotam Ridge at the end of the route. See route here .