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Ein Gedi and Masada are both on the top ten list of must do’s in Israel. And rightly so, Ein Gedi being this incredible oasis in the Judean desert and Masada with its mysterious history and amazing views of the dead sea. The thing about this trek is that you’re trekking to and from these very famous and visited sites, but in between them you’ll find stunning hidden gems that are what the Judean desert is all about- quiet, nature, a total desert but on the very edge of Jerusalem and its thriving life. You’ll find beduoins and camals roaming these areas, water springs and pools, grazing sheep and maybe some adventurous trekkers that try to go beyond and off the beaten track. This trek is unique, intense and holds together two very visited and famous gems and between them - the real Judean desert.
The trek begins at Wadi Arugot, part of the Ein Gedi national park, where you’ll find water springs out of nowhere, unique oasis vegetation hanging from the cliffs, ibexe and hyraxes roaming from spring to spring. From Wadi Arugot the trail will take you up on a difficult ascent to the cliffs hanging above, and up here you will spend the first night. The second day takes you to Wadi Hever where you’ll find water pools and water falls and a beautiful day on the highlands of the Judean desert. The third day will lead you to the Harduf Wadi and pools and into Ze’elim Wadi, where you’ll find the hidden Namer (leopard) spring. From Wadi Ze’elim the trail will take you to the foothills of the famous Masada, where you’ll finish your trek.
Trek Summary
Days: 3
Kilometres: 40
Best Season: Autumn to Spring
Difficulty Level: Difficult
Geographical Area in Israel: South Judean Desert
The important details you need to know in order to hike this trek:
Detailed map link
Seasons for Trekking
The perfect time to hike this trek is during December-March, by then the pools will usually be full of water, the weather will be great and you’ll enjoy green scenery in the desert. If these months aren’t an option, the trek is suitable (weather wise) from October to April. Be aware that flash floods do occur in this area during this season, and a lot of the trek is located in narrow riverbeds. Make sure to check the weather report before you head out. Do not attempt to hike this trek during heavy rain. Make sure to check seasons in Israel for more information.
Transportation
This trek is easily accessible by car and by bus! The trek begins at the Ein Gedi National park, where you can park a car or take a bus from Jerusalem. The trek ends on the road leading to Masada National Park. If you park a car at Ein Gedi you can take a bus from the Masada National park or hitchhike back to your car. If you came by bus to Ein Gedi you can take a bus to Jerusalem from the entrance to Masada (at the roundabout, where the trek ends). For the bus scedule. For the way to the trek enter Ein Gedi field school for the destination. For the way back enter Masade Center (not junction) for the beginning point. Keep in mind that public transportation does not operate from Friday afternoon to Saturday evening, check out my post how to trek using public transportation in Israel for more!
Water Supply
You may find some pools along the trek in different river beds, but it is not advisable in Israel to drink from springs and pools. This is due to the fact that people swim in them, they may be contaminated by different animals and sometimes by factories that are far from the eye but can contaminate the springs and pools. When you trek in the desert, first of all use your water wisely. You should be carrying at least 4.5 litres per person per full day of trekking (6 if the weather is hot). Keep in mind that you need water for the campsites, for cooking and drinking during the night. That can be pretty heavy if you’re carrying water for more than two days.
You can arrange water caches at your campsite. If you’re planning on cooking by campfire, you should also arrange some fire wood, since burning any local vegetation is forbidden.
The campsites for this trek are the Aviv or Ramat Hever campsite and the Upper Mishmar campsite. Both of these campsites are accessible only by 4 by 4 vehicles.
If, like me, you don’t own or rent a four by four vehicle, I recommend paying someone to do your water caches, they can also bring you fire wood at an extra fee. For this area, I recommend contacting Ali- a local Beduin who knows everything there is to know about the area, just send him a watsapp: 052-2291439. Yanir is also a great option for water caches, you can check out Yanir's website for more info.
Food
You’ll have to carry your food with you for the three days. You should buy all of your supplies beforehand, there aren’t a lot of options for buying food in the area (just a small local shop in Ein Gedi the Kibbutz). If you’d like, Shir can also arrange a food cache and even cook you an amazing dinner (she’s an outdoors chef).
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 make 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. The Ze’elim river bed is extremely dangerous during a flashflood! 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 heavy rain, make sure to get out of any riverbed near you, climb to the highest, safest point you can get to and contact someone for help. 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.
Take note that this trek takes you to a narrow river called the Ze’elim river. It is extremely dangerous to be hiking in the river during heavy rain and a flashflood warning. Check the weather report in the morning and do not head out if there is even a small chance of rain!
3. Heat stroke- It can get 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 and refreshen yourself in pools and springs along the way.
4. Dehydration- The desert can get really hot, and it is usually very dry. Even during the winter season, remember to drink a lot. Do not take less than 4.5 litres of water with you per day per person. You should wear sunglasses, a hat and a long-sleeved shirt. If you’re feeling dizzy, nauseous or/and have a headache, you’re probably dehydrated. Find a shade to rest and drink your water slowly and gradually.
5. Animals- There aren’t any 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.
6. Cell phone reception- Inside the deep rivers (Hever, Harduf and Ze’elim) there is no cell phone reception. If you feel you need more reassurance you can rent a satellite phone from a few companies in Israel. I recommend “Small World”. You can contact them at this e-mail - info@small-world.us
7. Nature reserves- a lot of the trek passes through some amazing nature reserves. Make sure you know the basic guidelines to hiking in nature reserves in Israel. Make sure to check how to trek in nature reserves.
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 Judean Desert region is 054-7431302.
Trail Description
Day 1
If you came by car, park at the entrance to Wadi Arugot (a free parking space). You can leave it here for the 3-day trek. If you came by bus, get off at Ein Gedi-field school (not the kibbutz). From here, you’ll have to walk along the road for a kilometre and a half for the entrance to Wadi Arugot (you can follow the signs). Ein Gedi the nature reserve consists of 2 rivers and oasis’ – the David Wadi and Arugot Wadi. This nature reserve is a national park and has a fee and entrance hours, check out the parks' information here. David Wadi is a bit more touristic and known. This trek starts at Arugot.
Inside the Arugot river, follow the red trail (for more on trail marks in Israel.) The trails inside the Arugot river will be very clear and easy to follow as in they're inside the national park.
For the first 500 metres you'll be walking above the river itself, enjoying the acacia trees from above and spot Ein Gedi above the river to the south. After 500 metres, the trail will fork. You can choose to take the red trail, heading above river, or the blue trail walking inside the river. The blue trail is much more rewarding, on it you can really enjoy the oasis and the water. You can walk on the blue trail with shoes, you may have to cross the river once or twice barefoot or with sandels.
After another 500 metres you'll merge with the red trail again for another kilometre or so. You'll find another fork, here you can take the blue trail heading into the beauitful hidden waterfall (the last 100 metres will be on a transparent trail).
After you've enjoyed the water fall, head back to the red trail mark (there will be a sign stating that this is the way to Haisiyyim ascent) and follow it heading west and upriver. After another few hundred metres you'll find another sign stating you can head south to the ascent or west to the upper pools. I really recommend taking the time for the back and forth to the upper pools on the blue trail. The upper pools are the real gem inside the Arugot River, not a lot of people put in the extra effort to head up to them. There are at least 3-4 deep turquoise water pools filled with clear spring water.
Once you’ve enjoyed the oasis of the pools, head back to the red trail that ascends out of the Arugot river (Haisiyyim ascent).
This ascent can be pretty tough, it’s about a 450 meter climb (from 250 metres below sea level to 200 metres above sea level) and can take some time and effort.
Once you’ve finished the ascend you’ll enjoy breath taking views of the Dead Sea and the Moav Mountains on the other side of it, in Jordon.
Look for the blue trail mark, just a few steps after the peak of the ascend. From here, follow the blue trail for 2 kilometres (you’ll be walking south), until you meet the green trail mark. Follow the green trail southwest for the next kilometre, until you reach the Aviv Campsite, where you’ll spend the night. You won’t find a sign at the campsite, but you’ll see a lot of fire pits scattered around.
Day 2
From the campsite, follow the green trail mark heading west (it’s a dirt track fit for 4 by 4 vehicles), until you meet the red trail mark. The junction may be a bit unclear, make sure not to miss it. Once you find the red trail mark follow it south for the next kilometre and a half. It will lead you down into the incredible Wadi Hever. A classic Judean Desert river – a deep crevice that drops down (via a few impressive waterfalls) eastwards into the dead sea. If you’re lucky and you arrived here after the first flashflood of the season, you’ll meet the Hever water pools inside the Wadi. They’re extremely refreshing if you’re in for a dip!
From the Hever pools, the red trail will ascend up out of the river and head south on the highlands. Follow the red trail for the next 3.5 kilometres, it’s a pretty easy trail on the Judean highlands, with some good views towards the east.
After 3.5 kilometres you’ll reach a fork with a green trail mark. Here you have two options, the map from the link above follows the second and shorter option.
1. You can follow the red trail mark heading deep into the Mishmar Wadi, another classic Judean desert river. It’s a deep crevice and the trail heads down to Ein Mishmar (a water spring) and to the Mishmar water pools. Once you reach the river, you’ll meet the black trail mark taking you west towards the pools and spring and then back up to the highlands. This option is the more difficult and longer option because it plummets down to the Wadi, about a 230 meter descend, and then heads back up to a 290 meter ascend. If you have the time and the willpower, go for it! Once you’re up on the highlands again, just follow the black trail mark for another 1.5 kilometre to the Upper Mishmar Campsite.
2. Keep following the green trail mark, the trail will still be on the highlands and you will be bypassing the deep crevice of Wadi Mishmar. After 3.5 kilometres on the green trail, you will meet a blue trail. Follow it southeast, after 2.5 kilometres, you will meet the Upper Mishmar Campsite where you will be spending the night.
Day 3
Head back west on the blue trail from the day before, after a kilometre look for the red trail mark junction and follow the red trail that connects to a green trail after 500 metres. Follow the green trail mark heading west, towards Wadi Harduf.
After 2 kilometres the trail will start descending into this amazing crevice, called the Harduf river (this river will merge with the Ze’elim river later on). Inside the crevice you’ll find these great water pools, a great way to fully start your last day!
From the water pools the trail will head up on an easy ascent (just tread carefully when the trail becomes narrow on the cliffs) back to the highlands.
At the top you’ll get a full view of the dead sea and the Ze’elim river from above before you start diving in on the trail.
From here on out, the trail marks colours’ change constantly. Make sure you’re on the right trail mark, in the right direction and that it fits the description written here.
Follow the green trail (don’t miss it at the top!) that starts heading down southeast into the Ze’elim river. After a significant descent you’ll meet a junction with a blue trail mark. Take the blue trail and then the black that will lead you into ‘Ein Namer’, or the leopard spring (Until a few decades ago, desert leopards roamed the Judean Desert and a few where spotted in this spring during those years). This spring is incredible, hiding under a huge boulder, a real hidden gem and oasis in this desert.
From Ein Namer, look for the red trail mark (it will be hidden behind a large bush to the south side of the spring). Follow the red trail mark, between some boulders, for the next 500 metres. After 500 metres, you’ll merge with a green trail mark. Take the green trail for another 500 metres, until you meet a fork with a black trail mark. Here you can follow the black trail that takes you inside a very narrow crevice (called the Bahak crevice) that may hold deep water pools which you will have you to swim through with your pack. Another option is to bypass the crevice by the green trail mark.
Either way, after 700 metres the trails merge again into a green marked trail. After 200 metres the trails will again fork into two options. The black trail will take you into the ‘boulder crevice’. This trail is awesome, taking you inside the river through huge boulders. You’ll have to duck, straddle and jump over these boulders and this may take some time so make sure you have at least an hour and a half for this kilometre and a half and patience!
At the end of the black trail take the blue trail heading up to Ein anava, there will be a sign at the junction (don’t follow the blue trail that flows with the river).
If you’d like to bypass the black trail and its boulders, take the green trail which will become red after 700 metres.
Either way, you’ll arrive at the junction with the blue trail (coming from the Ze’elim river) and the red trail, take the red trail heading east towards Ein Anava and Masada (east).
For the next 6 kilometres, you’ll follow the red trail heading east and then south to Masada. It’s a beautiful trail, you’ll see Masada in all its glory and great viewpoints of the Dead Sea and the Moav Mountains in Jordon beyond the sea.
The trail will take you to the entrance to Masada and from here you can either take the cable car or the snake path up to the fortress itself. This is a long day and you may not get here in time for the opening hours (between 15:00-17:00 depending on the day and season). If this is the case, you can camp overnight at the Masada Eastern Campsite (it’s marked on the map link from above). For opening hours, fees and more information check out Masada National Park.
Hope you enjoyed the trek, I would love to hear your thoughts about it! 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.