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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.

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 Akrabim Crown ⟷29.5km ↗1040m ,Round Trip Or ⟷18.3km ↗570m ,Round Trip Yeruham Crater Circle ⟷40.3km ↗1190m ,Round Trip Or ⟷28.5km ↗1020m ,One Way Mount Ardon to Mitzpe Ramon ⟷34.2km ↗880m ,One Way Ramon Spaghetti Marathon ⟷42.3km ↗1110m ,Round trip Or ⟷33.1km ↗1000m ,Round Trip Hod Akev and Mount Tzror ⟷21.8km ↗560m ,Round trip Or ⟷34.6km ↗800m ,Round Trip Crater to Crater ⟷19.5km ↗640m ,One Way Or ⟷37.7km ↗1250m ,One Way XC Ramon - Sapir ⟷36km ↗690m ,One Way Or ⟷23km ↗450m ,Round Trip Mount Karbolet and Tzin ⟷36.4km ↗1030m ,One Way Or ⟷18km ↗660m ,Round Trip Nahal Shualim and Hatira Massif ⟷38.3km ↗610m ,One Way Or ⟷27.8km ↗450m ,One Way Mount Ramon and Mount Ido ⟷19.6km ↗500m ,Round Trip Or ⟷13.6km ↗390m ,Round trip Mamashit and Mount Tzayad ⟷32.2km ↗550m ,Round Trip Ein Yorkeam and Tzafir ⟷19.7km ↗470m ,Round Trip Or ⟷12.7km ↗330m ,Round Trip Small Crater - Half Loop ⟷23.3km ↗770m ,Round Trip Lotz Cliffs ⟷22.2km ↗470m ,Round Trip Arif Marathon ⟷42.9km ↗940m ,Round Trip Ramon Crater Traverse ⟷36.6km ↗660m ,One Way או ⟷24km ↗790m ,Round Trip

Selected Desert Running in Israel Mikvar and Tor Shoulder Mikvar Ascent, Tor and Tmarim Knives Type: One Way Distance: 21.3km Ascent: 960m Descent: 990m Fast Trekking Duration: 6-7h Start: Mitzpe Shalem End: Nahal Tmarim Parking GPX File Israel Hiking Map Character : A diverse route linking Mitzpe Shalem to Nahal Tamarim. The route includes four main sections: it begins with a climb up Ma’ale Makhvar, continues across the open desert plateau with a crossing of Nahal Darga, follows a panoramic ridge section along the shoulder of Tor descending via the Tamarim ridge, and finishes with a descent down Ma’ale Tamarim. Advantages : An impressive route. Multiple shortening options. Easy and quick hitchhiking along Road 90 back to the starting point. Public transportation access to the start. Panoramic in parts. Disadvantages : The section climbing the shoulder of Tor and descending the Tamarim ridge is unmarked (though clear). Aside from Ma’ale Makhvar and Ma’ale Tamarim, there are no technical sections. Pro Tip : Finish the day with a dip in the Kedem Springs. Variation : A slightly shorter 18 km version finishes at the checkpoint and skips the Tamarim ridge — see it here . This variation allows passing through Metzoke Dragot village with a coffee stop.

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 Ein Yorkeam and Tzafir Nahal Hatira, Ma'ale Yamin, Gev Yamin Type: Round Trip Distance: 19.7km Ascent: 470m Descent: 470m Fast-Trekking Duration: 4-5h Start: Ein Yerke’am parking area End: Ein Yerke’am parking area GPX File Hiking Map Israel Character : A diverse route featuring a slow and technical section through Hatira Canyon, a short ascent, and a flowing ridge line from Meizad Zafir via Gav Yamin and Gav Mishmar back to Ein Yorke’am. 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 Variation: The route can be shortened if needed by skipping Metzad Tzafir and turning north after Ma’ale Yamin. See route here .

Selected Desert Running in Israel - Mount Karkom - Hispas Mount Karkom to Mount Hispas Route 8 via Be’er Karkom — with no mention of the Burning Bush Type: Loop Distance: 28.6km Ascent: 560m Descent: 560m Fast-Trekking Duration: 6-7h Start: Har Karkom Night Camp End: Har Karkom Night Camp Advantages: A very wild and remote running line, accessible only during limited times of the year. Disadvantages: No water sources. Technical running terrain. No access by public transportation Note: The route must be planned when Road 10 is open to the public or after obtaining military authorization. Download GPX File

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 Akrabim Crown Challenge Four Ascents of Ramat Akrabim: Mazleot, Akrabim, Gov and Tzafir Type: Round Trip Distance: 29.5km Ascent: 1040m Descent: 1040m Fast-Trekking Duration: 7-8h Start: Akrabim Night Camp End: Akrabim Night Camp GPX File Israel Hiking Map Character : A vertical-kilometer challenge linking the four ascents of Ramat Akrabim from east to west: Ma’aleh Ali, Ma’aleh Akrabim, Ma’aleh Gov and Ma’aleh Tzafir. A steep, technical route on sustained gradients with multiple ladder sections. The route is not fully committing and allows mid-route access to a vehicle. Advantages : Four impressive ascents in one big day. A route with a strong emphasis on climbing. Disadvantages : The ascents are not built for running. Pro Tip : Go very light. Cache food and water at the vehicle starting point. You can also stash water at the Mitzpeh HaMakhtesh parking area (top of Ma’aleh Akrabim), which is accessible by car. Variation 1: The route is designed to allow a possible finish after climbing Ma’aleh Ali and descending via Ma’aleh Akrabim. This variation is 22 km with 650 m of ascent. See here . Variation 2: A shortened alternative focusing on a technical climb up Ma’aleh Akrabim and a flowing descent via Ma’aleh Tzafir. Total 18 km with 570 m of ascent. See here .

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

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 .

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 Lotz Cliffs Nahal Eliav, a panoramic line along wild cliffs, and Mount Ido Type: Round Trip Distance: 22.2 km Ascent: 470m Descent: 470m Fast-Trekking Duration: 4-5h Start: Nahal Erod Parking (accessible by private car) End : Nahal Erod Parking GPX File Israel Hiking Map Character : A varied route in the western part of Makhtesh Ramon featuring a double panoramic line overlooking both Har Arif and Makhtesh Ramon. The first section climbs up Nahal Eliav to the top of Ma’ale Lutz. From there the route continues along a panoramic line on the edge of the Lutz cliffs, connects to Har Ido, and descends via a wide jeep track down Ma’ale Arud. The technical level is moderate. The section along the edge of the Lutz cliffs is not on a marked trail. Advantages : Partly panoramic route. The Nahal Eliav area has seasonal desert blooms. Disadvantages : No water point. No access by public transportation. Point of Interest : Recommended to visit Nana Winery in the area after the run. Variation : The route can be shortened by skipping the climb to Har Ido. See the route here .