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When I’m not out hiking and trekking, I invest a lot of my time in ceramics. I love the feel of shaping earth between my fingers. I fell in love with the ability to create something that is art and at the same time gives me purpose – a cup, a bowl. The biggest inspiration for my ceramics is nature- mountains, leaves, but most of all rock engravings that I’ve stumbled upon during my treks in the desert. The Mt. Arkov trek is a great 1-day trek, where you can witness incredible rock engravings scattered across the mountain range.
This trek takes us deep into the Negev desert highlands but it’s easily accessible and located right across from the famous Ovdat city (an ancient Nabetian city), a few kilometres south of Sde Boker. The trek follows the Ovdat river bed where you’ll find some archaeological remains, mostly terraces, broken walls and a lot of hidden water cisterns. You’ll climb up the Mt. Arkov mountain range, where you’ll skip from peak to peak and find hundreds of rock engravings scattered all across the range! Finally, you’ll finish at the Ramalia water cisterns, and if you’re lucky enough they may even be full of water!
Trek Summary
Days: 1
Kilometres:
Longer option- 14 kilometres
Shorter option- 10.5 kilometres
Best Season: Autumn to Spring
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Geographical Area in Israel: Central Negev Highlands
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 February-March, then the whole area is in full bloom, it’s unbelievable how green the desert can get during these months. If these months aren’t an option, the trek is suitable, weather wise, from October to April. The trek is located in a military training area, so it is usually open for travelers only on the weekends. For more on military training areas in Israel here. Be aware that flash floods do occur in this area during these months, so 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 out season in Israel for more.
Transportation
This trek is easily accessible by public transportation. Just take a bus from Be’er Sheva to Ovnat branching- ovdat antiquities. For the bus schedule click here. For the return trip just reverse the bus stops, you’ll need the same bus line. If you’re travelling by car you can park your car at the Ovdat gas station right across route 40. You can also park your car right at Ramalia cisterns, this will shorten your trek by about 4 kilometres, but it’ll be parking the car in the middle of the open desert and there have been reports of car break-ins in this area. It is much safer to leave the car at the gas station.
Water Supply
The desert is dry and hot, even during the winter season. Make sure to take at least 4.5 litres of water with you.
Food
Carry the food you need for the day with you. You can get all the supplies you need at any supermarket in Be’er Sheva.
Precautions and Dangers
1. Military training area- Most of the trek is located in a military training area and firing zone. It’s an active area, so do not attempt to hike this trek without coordination with the army. The area usually opens up during weekends and can be open on weekdays sometimes too. You can call this number in order to coordinate with them: 08-9902928. They might ask for the trail numbers, you can find them on the map at the "Israel Hiking Map" link above. For more on trekking in military training areas here.
2. 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. 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 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.
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, but it is always 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.
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 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
Side note for a camping option: if you’d like to camp outside the night before or after this trek, there is a beautiful grove with some trees and terraces right along the trail. It’s located 50 metres south of where the black trail and the red trail meet. About 700 metres south of the Ramalia water cisterns, on the western slope of the river.
From the bus station (that is located right across the entrance to the Ovdat old Nabatean city and the central gas station) follow the vehicle trail west towards the Ramalia cisterns (if you’re coming by car take this trail until the Ramalia cisterns and park here. Any private vehicle can drive on this trail). It will be poorly marked by a black trail mark (check out how to use trail marks in Israel).
After about a kilometre and a half, you’ll find the red trail mark (a trail fit for a 4 by 4 vehicle) that will take you across the big river and lead you southwest. If you want the shorter trail, you’ll find the description at the end of the long trail description (here.)
For the long full trail: You’ll follow the red trail for the next 3-4 kilometres. The red trail isn’t marked very well, so if you’re having trouble following it, use a GPS and the Israel Hiking Map to see where you are compared to the trail. Along the red trail you might sight some camels and Bedouins shepherding their sheep and goats. All along the trail look for archaeological finds – terraces along the river (built so that the river will bring along the soil that will stop at the terraces and be used for agriculture), cisterns and walls.
After four kilometres you’ll meet the green trail that’s better marked than the red trail. It’s fit for hikers only and so it’s more interesting. You’ll follow a small river bed which will lead you to a big valley that you will across on the same green trail. After you cross this valley you will find the green trail that takes you on a short ascent to the beautiful Arkov mountain range. On the range follow the blue trail that will take you on a beautiful walk, through amazing rock engravings. Look for them on every peak and pass, they will usually be engraved into the darker stones.
After three kilometres on the range, you’ll arrive at the last peak that has an incredible view of the Ovdat ruins and the great river below you. Take the blue trail north and it will lead you on an easy descend to the river that you just observed from above. When you meet the riverbed follow the black trail towards the south and look for the Ramalia water cisterns on the western slope of the river. If you’re lucky and you arrived after a flash flood, they may be full of water and you can jump in for a refreshing swim!
For the shorter trail option: After 500 metres on the red trail, take the black trail that leads you up to the mountain range. Enjoy the view there, and then follow the blue trail that takes you towards the west, along the Arkov mountain range. On the range you will be walking through amazing rock engravings. Look for them on every peak and pass, they will usually be engraved in the darker stones.
After three kilometres the blue trail will descend the range towards the north and you will meet the green marked trail. Follow the green trail along the riverbed towards the east for three and a half kilometres. At the end of this trail, you will find the black marked trail (fit for vehicles), follow it south and look for the Ramalia water cisterns to your left, on the western slope of the river. If you’re lucky and you arrived after a flash flood, they may be full of water and you can jump in for a refreshing swim!
Hope you enjoyed the trek, I would love to hear your thoughts about it! Notice that this trek is located in a very central area in the Negev, and it's possible to intergrate this hike with a lot of different sites and hikes in the area for one, longer trek. Feel free to contact me here for more! 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.
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