Selected Desert Running in Israel Mount Tzfahot and Gishron Cliffs Ascents, Dry Riverbeds, Canyons, Cliffs and Asphalts – This Route Give It All Type: Round Trip Distance: 26.2km Ascent: 1010m Descent: 1010m Fast-Trekking Duration: 5-6h Start: Field School, Eilat End: Field School, Eilat GPX File Israel Hiking Map Character : A circular route featuring a significant, sustained and technical ascent through Nahal and the cliffs of Gishron, with a fast, descending jeep-track return leg. Advantages : Impressive terrain along the Egyptian border. Technical route. Accessible by public transportation. Water can be cached at Nahal Shlomo night parking area. Disadvantages : No water sources along the route. Point of Interest : Post-run chill at Mosh’s Beach. Variation : The route can be shortened to 13 km by arranging a shuttle or hitching from Road 12 (Nahal Shlomo night parking area). See route here .

Selected Desert Running in Israel Hod Akev and Mount Tzror Devshon ascent, Ein Akev pond, and Gev Tzaror Type: Round Trip Distance: 21.8km Ascent: 560m Descent: 560m Fast-Trekking Duration: 4-5h Start: Parking of Ben Gurion grave, Midreshet Ben Gurion End: Parking of Ben Gurion grave, Midreshet Ben Gurion GPX File Israel Hiking Map Character : A route in the high Zin Desert. The terrain is not technical and includes two “mini” ascents: Ma’aleh Dovshon and Ma’aleh Hod Akev. Advantages : Flowing and runnable terrain. Opportunity to swim at Ein Akev. Accessible by public transportation. Disadvantages : The Ein Akev area can be crowded with hikers. Variation 1 : The route can be slightly shortened to 19 km by skipping Har Tzaror and heading toward the exit after descending from Hod Akev. See route here . Variation 2: A longer 34 km version that includes Nahal Darokh and the spectacular Darokh Horseshoe can be found here .

Selected Desert Running in Israel Yotvata to Shaharut Zugan Ascent and Visiting the Coolest Village in the Arava Type: Round Trip Distance: 21.7km Ascent: 680m Descent: 680 m Fast-Trekking Duration: 5-6h Start: South to Kibbutz Yotvata, castle ruins End: South to Kibbutz Yotvata, castle ruins GPX File Israel Hiking Map Character : A route with three main sections — a flowing, open approach to the top of Ma’ale Zug; a panoramic line along the edge of the Shaharut cliffs; and a technical, slower return via Nahal Shaharut. A committing route. Variation 1: The route can shorten by deposit a car in Shaharut but the drive back to the starting point is relatively long. Variation 2 : For those with a bigger appetite, a 30 km route is available here . Advantages: The line is mostly flowing and non-technical. Water is available in Shaharut (knock on one of the doors). Public transportation is available. Disadvantages: No convenient way to exit the route.

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 Slot in the Chawar A wild chalkland route in the Sdom Plains Type: Round Trip Distance: 25.0km Ascent: 230m Descent: 230m Fast-Trekking Duration: 4-5 h Start: Ein Plutit End: Ein Plutit GPX File Israel Hiking Map Character : A wadi route winding between marl cliffs and hills. The eastern section feels more like a marl canyon than a narrow cut in the rock. Both the outbound and return legs follow a popular mountain-bike singletrack over soft marl ground. The route has virtually no technical difficulty, but many sections run over partly sandy terrain, so progress can be slow and not always very flowing. The elevation difference is minimal. The outbound leg is well marked; the return leg is unmarked but very clear. Advantages: Impressive marl landscape and scenery. Disadvantages: Some sections of the route are slow. Recommendation: It is possible to take a dip at Ein Plutit at the end of the route. Note : Avoid the route after rain — the ground turns sticky. Variation: The route can be shortened by half if a car is shuttled to Highway 90. See route here .

Selected Desert Running in Israel Mount Muntar and Marsaba Monastery The most beautiful monastery in the country, right in the backyard of Ma’ale Adumim Type: Round Trip Distance: 25.6km Ascent: 770m Descent: 770m Fast-Trekking Duration: 5-6 h Start: Kedar End: Kedar GPX File Israel Hiking Map Character : A route that runs almost entirely on wide jeep tracks, allowing for fast and fluid movement. Advantages: A smooth, non-technical route on jeep tracks. Disadvantages: The route starts with a gradual descent and ends with a gradual climb. Recommendation: When the monastery is open, it’s possible to refill water there. Variation: The route can also be accessed via a high-quality road that connects to Highway 1 at the turnoff to Nabi Musa and continues south, but parking in Kedar is safer.

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 ⟷26.2km ↗1010m ,Round Trip או ⟷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 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 The Ein Gedi Trilogy Ascents buffet: Mount Tzruya, Mount Ein Gedi, and Mount Yishai Type: Round Trip Distance: 21.5km Ascent: 1370m Descent: 1370m Fast Trekking Duration: 6-7h Start: Khan Ein gedi End: Khan Ein gedi GPX File Israel Hiking Map Character : A technical and panoramic route that climbs three ascents around Ein Gedi: Ma’ale Tzruya, Ma’ale Bnei HaMoshavim, and Ma’ale Har Yishai. A non-committing route with several exit options. Advantages : Excellent technical vertical training. Option to dip in Nahal Arugot or Nahal David. Public transportation access to Ein Gedi. Disadvantages : No water point (there is water at the entrance to Nahal David and Arugot, but it requires leaving the route). Significant cumulative descent. Point of Interest : Khan Badolina is a great base if staying in the area for several days. Variations : The route can be shortened by exiting after each ascent: via Nahal Arugot, the Chalcolithic Temple, or Nahal David.

Running the Negev Mountains Tours Negev Mountains Ramon Crater to Sapir Cross Deserts Running: from Negev Mountains to Arave One Way, 36km Akrabim Between the Negev and the Arava: Ma’ale Akrabim and Ma’ale Tzfir Round Trip, 18.3km Mount Ardon to Mitzpe Ramon Mahmal Ascent and a Long Panoramic Line Above Ramon Crater One Way, 32.3km Yeruham Crater to Midreshet Ben Gurion The Big Crater and a Taste of Tzin Desert One Way, 34.2km Hod Akev and Mount Tzror A Tour at the Heart of Tzinim Cliffs Round Trip, 21.8km Yeruham Crater Circle A Big Panoramic Circle around a Breathtaking Phenomenon Round Trip, 40.2km Tzafit and Paras A short route between two beautiful and technical nehalim in the northern Arava Round Trip, 15.7km Crater to Crater No Other Place in the World with Such Craters and There is Only One Run Connecting Them One Way, 19.5km Ein Yorkeam and Tzafir Nahal Hatira, Ma'ale Yamin, Gev Yamin Round Trip, 19.7km Mamashit and Mount Tzayad Through the remains of a Nabataean city and the Yeruham Crater Escarpments Nature Reserve Round Trip, 32.2km Nahal Shualim and Hatira Massif A long point-to-point route from Yeruham to Midreshet Ben-Gurion via Daruch Stream Round Trip, 38.0km Half loop around the Small Crater Ashmedai Gate, Ali Ascent and Nahal Matzleot Round Trip, 22.1km Mount Katom and Shen Ramon From the Table Mountain of Ramon Crater to Mitzpe Ramon One Way, 26.1km Mount Ramon and Mount Ido A Wild Circle on a Moon-Like Terrain Round Trip, 19.6km Mount Ramon and Lotz Lotz Ascent and Lotz Holes Round Trip, 26.7km Mount Arif to Mount Karkom Super Wild and Remote One Way, 34.5km Mount Ramon to Mount Arif As far from civilization as it gets — and long enough to strip things back Round Trip, 42.9km Judaean Desert Arava

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 .

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