Ein Gedi 12K

Dogs No Dogs

Features Views · Wildlife

This run starts in Kibbutz Ein Gedi, climbs through a very steep, technical ascent up to the desert plateau above and then descends into the Arugot Canyon, part of the unique Ein Gedi Nature Preserve. The views on top of the mountain are spectacular, especially at sunrise. The run on the desert plateau is simple, with some beautiful wildflowers at the end of winter. The descent to Arugot Canyon is very steep and hazardous, but ends in a beautiful canyon with refreshing water streams.

Entry into the reservation (Arugot Canyon) is limited to daytime, starting at 8am.

Very technical terrain. Good trail shoes recommended.

Start with the green trail marks starting about 100 m before the main gate of the Kibbutz. The trail climbs along the outside of the perimeter fence and then starts climbing up the steep cliffs overlooking the Dead Sea. The terrain is very rocky and technical, and requires proper shoes and lots of attention. The climb up to the top takes about one hour. Ideal starting time is just before dawn, especially in the hot summer days when temperatures will rise drastically as soon as the sun is up.

Once on the plateau, it's a fairly easy 4 km, first on the green trail marks and then turning right onto a blue trail. This trail then meets with a red marked trail that starts to descend into the canyon, again in a very steep and technical terrain, reaching the Arugot Canyon with its water, occasional ibex (mountain deer), and rock hyrax. The red trail ends at the park entrance, which also has a shop and restrooms.