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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 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 .

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 Mount Ardon to Mitzpe Ramon Mahmal Ascent and a Long Panoramic Line Above Ramon Crater Type: One Way Distance: 34.2km Ascent: 880m Descent: 470m Fast-Trekking Duration: 7-8h Start: Be'erot Campground (Accessible with a private car) End: Mitzpe Ramon by the gas station GPX File Israel Hiking Map Character : A high-volume route climbing from the depths of Ramon Crater to Mitzpe Ramon. The course includes two major ascents — Ma’ale Ardon and Ma’ale Makhmal — followed by a flowing panoramic line, partly on bike singletracks and partly on jeep roads, all the way to Mitzpe Ramon. Advantages : Aside from Ma’ale Ardon, the route is flowing and runnable with no technical sections. Predominantly panoramic throughout. Disadvantages : No water sources. Hitchhiking back to Be’erot Campground is difficult, requiring vehicle shuttling. No public transportation access. Variation : The route can be made easier by running it in the opposite direction (less cumulative ascent). Point of Interest : Be’erot Campground is an excellent base point for routes in the eastern Ramon Crater.

Eliya Zemmour Map

Selected Desert Running in Israel XC Ramon - Sapir Connecting Deserts: from Negev Mountains to Arava Type: One Way Distance: 36km Ascent: 690m Descent: 1170m Fast-Trekking Duration: 8-9m Start: Gvanim Campground, Ramon Crater End: Sapir GPX File Israel Hiking Map Character : A high-volume route linking the Great Crater (Makhtesh HaGadol) to the Central Arava via two connected Israel National Trail sections. The course is diverse and structured around three main segments: a knife-edge panoramic traverse along Karbolet Haririm, a slow and sandy stretch through Nahal Nekarot and Nahal Tzevira, and a final open and flowing run across Ramat Sapir. A linear route requiring a long vehicle shuttle — but absolutely worth it. Advantages : One of the most beautiful desert routes, incorporating two sections of the Israel National Trail. Near Gav Hulit campsite there is a water reservoir available for thru-hikers. Disadvantages : In an emergency, it may be possible to hitchhike from Gav Hulit campsite, which connects to a popular 4x4 route on weekends — but this cannot be relied upon, and overall the route is fairly committing. Long vehicle shuttle required. Progress can be slow in the sandy Nahal Nekarot section. No public transportation access. Recommendation : Be’erot campsite is an excellent base point for routes in the eastern Ramon Crater. Variation : A shortened 23 km circular version focusing on Karbolet Haririm can be found here . The return leg descends from the ridge and connects with the excellent “Spice Route” trail — a wide and flowing plateau section that eventually links back to Ein Saharonim. The Spice Route segment is unmarked but clear. Highly recommended.

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 .

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 .

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 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.

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 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 .