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April is the very last opportunity to really hike and enjoy the desert area in Israel. Spring is here, the days are nice and warm, the nights cool and soft and there’s no better time to hike and trek through the desert. The central Negev desert surrounding Sde Boker is an area thriving with hidden gems - national parks, oasis', ancient deserted cities and more. I was looking for a 1-day hike that could mix together two incredible national parks in the area – The En Avdat oasis and the Avdat ancient Nabato-Byzantine city. I found the perfect way to merge these two striking national parks to 1 unforgettable hike.
This hike a 1-day, 10 k”m hike and is totally public transportation friendly. You’ll hike through the vast Zin valley, up the narrow crevice and waterfalls of En Avdat. The ancient trails will lead you to the foothills of the impressive Nabato-Bizantine Avdat city. You will climb up to the city that is filled with Roman and Nabatean ruins, ancient churches built right alongside ancient mosques. The city truly is awe-striking, sitting alone overlooking the desert. From the ruins you’ll roll down the steps leading up to the city right to the bus station where you can take a bus back north to Be’er Sheva or head down south to Mitspe Ramon.
Trek Summary
Days: 1
Kilometres: 11
Best Season: Autumn to Spring
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Geographical Area in Israel: Central Negev
So, let’s dive in with the important logistics that you need to know in order to hike this trek.
Detailed Map
Seasons for Trekking
The best time for desert trekking in Israel is November to April. If February and March are an option for you, these are the best months to enjoy incredible wildflowers in the desert. Make sure to check out Seasons in Israel for more information!
Transportation
By Car- If you have a car, you’re welcome to park at the Ben Gurion’s grave site parking space. It’s fairly safe to leave a car here for the day. The trek ends at the entrance to Avdat national park, from there you can take a short bus back to Sde Boker or hitchhike.
Public transportation- There are buses leaving the central bus station in Be’er Sheva that arrive at Ben Gurion’s Grave about every hour from morning to evening. To view the bus schedule here. You can type in “Be’er Sheva central bus station” for the starting point. “Sde Boker gadna center” for the destination. For the trip back reverse the route and enter “Ovnat Branching, Avdat antiquities” for the starting point. You should know that this bus can get crowded, especially on Saturday evenings from Sde Boker to Be'er Sheva. Don't rely on the last bus, in case there is no free space on it. Keep in mind that public transportation in Israel stops working during Shabbat- From Friday evening to Saturday evening.
Make sure to check out how to trek using public transportation in Israel!
Water supply
During the hike you will come along Ein (spring in Hebrew) Avdat. It is not advisable in Israel to drink from springs and pools. You should carry at least 3 litres of water with you, you can fill up your bottles at the entrance to the national parks.
Food
You’ll need to bring your food supply with you for the day. You can find almost everything in the supermarkets in Be’er Sheva. In Sde boker you also have a small store, but the supply there is limited and the opening hours are short. Keep in mind that it is forbidden to eat inside En Avdat National Park.
Precautions and dangers
1. Flash floods. The desert area in Israel is prone to flash floods. The lack of vegetation in the desert and the type of soil makes it hard for water to seep down. When there is enough rain in the desert, it flows on top of the surfaces to the lowest places- river beds. Most of the riverbeds in the desert are dry all year round, except for a few days when it rains. The rivers then come to life, and it is very dangerous to be hiking in a riverbed during a flash flood. In some areas it can be raining even a few kilometres upriver from where you are and the flash flood will come out of nowhere, splashing down the riverbed and taking everything, it can with it. The tricky part about flash foods is that the riverbed does not flood gradually, it comes at you at lightning speed.
Precautions for flash floods:
a. Check the weather in the destinated hiking area before you leave.
b. Do not attempt to hike if there is a rainy weather report.
c. If you do find yourself in the desert during rain, make sure to get out of any riverbed near you, climb to the highest, safest point you can get to and enjoy the view. If there are flash floods around you, it can keep flowing for hours and even days, contact someone to get you out of there safely.
2. Heat stroke- It gets hot during the day in the desert, even in freezing January. The days are hot and the nights are cold. Make sure to always wear a sun hat, take long breaks in the shade (there isn't a lot of shade, so choose your shade wisely) and refreshen yourself in pools and springs along the way.
3. Dehydration- the desert is hot and dry. Make sure to always take enough water (at least 4.5 litre per person per day) and drink gradually along the day.
4. Animals- There aren’t many big dangerous animals in the desert. Beware of snakes and scorpions, especially during the spring time and around your campsite. In the morning shake your boots before you put them on and beware when you pick up rocks.
If you find yourself in an emergency situation, you can call for help. Call 100 for the police and they can connect you with the regional rescue team. You can also call 101 for medical assistance. The direct number for the rescue team in the Negev region is 050-6276619.
Trail description
From the bus station take a right at the roundabout to the Ben Gurion cemetery parking area. Once you're at the parking area, look for the small booth where you need to pay the fee for the entrance to En Avdat (For more on En Avdat National park here (entrance fee, opening hours).
From the booth start walking along the road for about 50 metres, until you meet the red marked trail to your right. Check out trail marks in Israel for more! Follow the red trail that will lead you down deep into the Zin Valley. At the end of the descent, you’ll meet the road again. Hike alongside the road for 1.5 k”m, until you reach the entrance to En Avdat (you’ll find another booth).
You should eat your breakfast here at the entrance, once you’re inside the narrow crevice you cannot eat until you are outside of the national park.
Once you’re inside the national park, follow the blue marked trail. It will lead you inside the narrow crevice, alongside the riverbed. You’ll find clear blue waters, one huge Atlantic terebinth tree and if you look up at the cliffs hanging above you, you might spot an Egyptian vulture!
After 500 metres, you’ll reach the big waterfall, you can walk to the very base of the waterfall and then head back to the stairs carved in the cliff leading up to the head of the waterfall.
Once you've reached the head of the waterfall, keep hiking along the blue trail, you’ll see a beautiful poplar grove. You should take a moment to enjoy the shade before the big ascent to Ein Ma’arif.
The ascent is right behind the grove, just follow the blue trail heading up. The climb is steep, but pretty easy and you’ll enjoy a great view of the Avdat crevice below you. Along the climb, you’ll find small caves on the very cliffs you’re walking on. These caves were inhabited by secluded monks during the Byzantine era. Once you've reached the top, you’ll find Ein Ma’arif, a small spring that doesn’t hold water all year around, but it’s the very top of the Ma’arif waterfall and it’s a spectacular view.
From Ein Ma’arif, follow the blue trail that heads upriver for almost 2 k” m. You’ll meet a junction with a green marked trail, follow the green marked trail south and upriver for another 1.5 k”m (after 700 metres, the green trail will leave the river, keep following the trail).
After 1.5 k”m, you’ll find another junction with a blue trail which you can either take left (north east) or right (south west). Take a left, and follow the blue trail for a kilometre, until you meet another green trail that heads up an ascent. Take the green trail, it will lead you up to Avdat, the Nabato-Byzantian city!
The city itself if built a little like a fortress, it’s up on a tall hill, you can see everything that’s going on below and all around you.
A piece of history - The city was first built during the 3rd century BCE as a small inn, a rest stop, along the incense route.
The incense route was a 2,400 k”m route that moved incense and spices from southern Saudi Arabia of today all the way to the Gaza port, from there the supplies would be shipped all across the Roman Empire, via the Mediterranean Sea. The route crossed a series of huge dry deserts and the only people who knew how to cross these deserts were the mysterious Nabatean people.
In 106 BCE the whole area, including the Nabateans, became part of the Roman Empire, that later became the Byzantine empire (and became Christian).
While you’re inside the city, make sure to check out the incredible wine press (the Late Nabateans during the Roman Empire rule were known worldwide for their exquisite wine!), the churches and the town fortress. Once you’re finished wandering around the city, the green trail will lead you to the foothills of the city, where you’ll meet route number 40, from there you can catch a bus back to Sde Boker to your car or to Be’er Sheva (or Mitspe Ramon).
Hope you enjoyed the trek! I'd love to hear your thoughts and comments! Contact me here. Or comment below.
*Disclaimer*
It is the responsibility of the users of this website to be prepared for all possible conditions while trekking in Israel. Beware that conditions of trails may change day to day and season to season. All users of this website and its information assume full responsibility for their actions and judgments while trekking. The owner and authors of this site disclaims all liability including that of accident, loss, injury, or any other damage that may be sustained by anyone using the information contained on this website.