Tips
How to read this guidebook?
Type: (‘One Way’ – the ending point is not the starting point, or ‘Round Trip’ – the ending point is also the starting point)
Distance: (running distance in km)
Ascent: (gaining vertical in meters)
Descent: (descending vertical in meters)
Time: (estimated required time in hours without breaks)
Start: (name of the starting point of the run)
End: (name of the ending point of the run)
Variation: (possible way for shortening or extending the tour)
Advantages: (why this tour is awesome)
Disadvantages: (what can be fucked-up about it)
Download GPX File: (navigation file if used another navigation tool than FATMAP)
Map: (Interactive map of the run - better used with FATMAP app or desktop.)It is strongly recommended to use also amudanan.co.il)
Map and Navigation
This website is using FATMAP to describe the run. It is recommended to browse the map on FATMAP's website or use FATMAP App
https://fatmap.com/adventures/
Although Israel has a good cellular coverage – some areas in the desert are not connected. Keep that in mind for navigation purposes and potential emergency. It is recommended to download the route offline – it will reduce battery consumption and will help where cellular is not available.
All routes on this website (unless explicitly noted differently) are on a marked trail. Mostly well marked. All marked trails in Israel are on www.amudanan.co.il. It is extremely recommended to download Amud Anan app and use it as a complimentary tool for planning and navigating.
Time Management
The estimated times on this guide do not factor preparing your gear at the parking, stops for eating, taking pictures, navigation issues etc. Moreover, the time estimated assumes continuous running when it’s rarely the case in reality. Especially on technical lines. Allow at least 20%-30% extra time. The running season in the desert is mostly wintertime when the days are short (plan to finish the run before 16:00). Therefore, the way to execute these runs is to start early, move with a sense of urgency and finish early.
Disclaimer
This is a basic guidebook for desert running routes. It describes the principles of the route only in bullet points. The underlined assumption is that users are autonomous and experienced trail runners that can plan and execute adventures on their own. That is especially true for navigating in the desert where the terrain can be technical and remote.
At any rate - this website does not take any responsibility of any kind. Go do your own homework and take ownership for your actions.
Weather Forecast and Other Sources
Weather Forecast: www.meteoblue.com
Wind Forecast: www.windy.com (I like ECMWF model)
Emergency numbers in Israel: https://www.b144.co.il/EmergencyNo.aspx
Trail Navigation: https://amudanan.co.il/
Rain Radar App: Home - Flowx
Flood warnings: אזהרות | Israel Meteorological Service (ims.gov.il)
Gear
Do you plan to mule 10kg of gear and water for the route? Forget it. The tours here require a minimalistic supply of water and the very essential lightweight-category gear. For each route you need to pack slightly different but as a principle - go 'light&fast'. Otherwise you can’t really run, the required amount of time becomes unfeasible and you will compromise your safely on the delicate runs.
kit suggestion:
- Running Jacket (wind breaker)
- Water (0.5L to 2L) depends on the season and route
- Mobile
- Energy bars and gels
- Headlamp
- Sun glasses
- Sun Hate
- Painkiller pills
- In the winter: down Jacket, gloves and headband (especially in case you might run into the night)
Seasons and Conditions
Mind the season and region: The Israeli desert is essentially allowing running year-route (yeah - try night running in the summer). That said – every season does have different characteristics that one need to understand and take under consideration. Moreover, the desert differentiates between the Negev Mountains area which is higher, cooler and tend to rain vs. the Judaean and the Arava areas which are lower, warmer and rarely rain.
Summer (Jun to October): Extremely hot and running is generally too brutal. The only exception is night running on a non-technical terrain, ideally in full moon
Spring (March-May) and autumn (Nov-Dec): Usually these are good seasons in Israel for desert running. It rarely rains, temperatures are relatively warm but possible for running and the days are long enough for doing long lines.
Winter (January-February): Weather is generally less stable and some days could be rainy with flooding risk. Although relatively short days, the
temperatures for running are comfortable. Note that the nights in the desert, especially in the Negev Mountains, can be below freezing (It’s not unusual to start early morning with a down jacket).