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

Eliya Zemmour Authors "After a decade of planning, field testing, and linking lines between ridges and canyons, a team of trail runners and field experts created an open guide to 50 routes in the Judean Desert, the Negev, and the Arava — for trail runners and experienced hikers. Eliya Zemmour, the project initiator, shares the process and the result." from SHVOONG 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 XC Judean Desert From the southern edge of Mount Hebron to the Dead Sea Type: One way Distance: 36.1km Ascent: 350m Descent: 1340m Fast-Trekking Duration: 7-8 h Start: Maon Ranch End: Ein Gedi GPX File Israel Hiking map Character : A west-to-east crossing of the Judean Desert along open terrain, with an overall descending profile. Committing route. Advantages: A flowing, non-technical route that is mostly downhill. Disadvantages: The return trip to retrieve the car from Ma’on Farm is long.

Selected Desert Running in Israel 7 Ascents in the Dead Sea A line of ascents via Ashal, Mishmar, Tze’elim, and Masada Type: One way Distance: 31.1km Ascent: 1820m Descent: 1740m Fast Trekking Duration: 7-8h Start: Nahal Mishmar Night Camp End: Masada East GPX File Israel Hiking Map Character : A technical route composed of a collection of steep ascents through the canyons of Mishmar, Tze’elim, and Masada. A major challenge — not for hot days. Advantages: A challenging route, but structured with several exit points. It finishes at Masada, making it relatively easy to hitch a ride back to Nahal Mishmar. The emphasis is on climbing. There are exit options via Nahal Mishmar and Nahal Tze’elim if you wish to shorten the route. You can also skip Ma’ale Elazar if the engine runs out. Disadvantages: No water sources. Pro Tip : On days with strong northern winds, the route feels easier with a tailwind at your back.

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.

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 Tamarim Knives Tamarim Ascent and Two Panoramic Ridge Lines to Keren El-Hajar Type: Round Trip Distance: 24.7km Ascent: 1050m Descent: 1050 m Fast-Trekking Duration: 6-7 Start: Nahal Tmarim parking End: Nahal Tmarim parking GPX File Israel Hiking Map Character : A route in the “outrageously photogenic” category, progressing along unmarked knife-edge ridges around Nahal Tamarim, with a turnaround point at Keren El-Hajar. A panoramic route that is non-technical. Highly recommended. Advantages : A stunning ridge run along desert knife-edges. Easy to shorten the route if needed. Disadvantages : The route is unmarked and requires basic navigation. Navigation is straightforward along the southern ridge, but the return via the northern ridge requires attention. No water sources. Pro Tip : In February, after the rains, the terrain is covered in green. Variation : The route can be simplified by returning via the blue trail after tagging Keren El-Hajar. The distance remains similar, but the terrain is significantly easier. See the shortened version 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 Ein Gedi To Mishmar Tzruya Ascent and a Flowing Line on the Desert’s Plateau Type: One Way Distance: 18.8km Ascent: 720m Descent: 690m Fast-Trekking Duration: 4-5h Start: Khan Ein Gedi End: Campground Nahal Mishmar (accessible with private car) GPX File Israel Hiking Map Character : A varied route featuring the climb up Ma’ale Tzruya and the narrow Tzruya ridge, an open line across the desert plateau, and a descent into Nahal Mishmar. It passes through Gavei Hever and Ein Mishmar. Variation 1: The run can be extended by exiting Campground Nahal Mishmar to road 90 and continuing running on the road north to the starting point (+7km). Variation 2 : The route can be turned into a tough 34 km loop by ascending via the southern Ma’ale Mishmar back to Mount Tzruya. See the variation here . Advantages: In the season its possible to dip the pond in Nahal Hever. Besides Tzroya Acents and Mishmar North ascent, the route is not technical. There is a public transportation to Ein Gedi. Disadvantages: Water is not available. Substantial descent. Interest Point: Khan Badulina in Ein Gedi is a great place to stay if based a few days in the region.

Selected Desert Running in Israel Tzeelim Circle Loop around the Great Canyon of the Judean Desert, via Tzafira Pool and Ma’ale Anava Type: Round Trip Distance: 25km Ascent: 970m Descent: 970m Time: 6-7h Start: Campground Nahal Tzeelim (accessible with private car) End: Campground Nahal Tzeelim GPX File Israel Hiking Map Character : A panoramic loop around Tze’elim Canyon, mostly on flowing terrain. Advantages: When Tzpira pond is full one can dip (mid-route). Non-technical and flowing route. Disadvantages: Water is not available. Not accessible with public transportation. Variation 1: The route can be exited by descending Namer Ascent into Tzeelim dry riverbed and continue east toward the starting point. See variation here . Variation 2: One can deposit a car or hitchhike from Tzeelim upper nightcamp (exactly mid-road). There is not much traffic on that road during weekdays so don't count on hitchhiking.

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.

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 .