Negev Highlands

הנגב המישור

A vast desert plateau dotted with ancient Nabatean cities, craters, and endless hiking trails offering some of Israel's most remote wilderness experiences. The region is perfect for trekking, off-road exploration, and experiencing untouched desert solitude.

Things to do

• Mitzpe Ramon Crater Hike — Trek the rim and descend into Israel's largest erosion crater with spectacular layered geology and desert vistas.
• Nabatean City of Avdat — Explore the ruins of this 2,000-year-old Nabatean trading post perched on a hilltop with preserved temples and cisterns.
• Ein Avdat Spring Hike — Walk through a narrow canyon to a natural spring surrounded by chalk cliffs and ancient water channels built by Nabateans.
• Makhtesh Ramon Multi-Day Trek — Undertake a remote desert backpacking expedition across the crater floor encountering colored rock formations and minimal human presence.
• Shivta Ancient Settlement — Discover this intact Nabatean village with standing structures, churches, and agricultural terraces dating to the Byzantine period.
• Off-Road Desert Exploration — Navigate 4x4 trails through colored sandstone formations and isolated wadis accessible only by vehicle in the southern highlands.

Food to try

• Bedouin Pita and Labneh — Freshly baked flatbread served with thick strained yogurt and olive oil, a staple of nomadic desert communities in the region.
• Mansaf — A traditional Bedouin dish of meat cooked in fermented yogurt sauce served over rice, reflecting the pastoral heritage of Negev inhabitants.
• Desert Herb Tea (Za'atar Tea) — Wild mountain herbs steeped in hot water, commonly offered by Bedouin guides and locals as a cooling respite during desert treks.
• Roasted Camel or Goat — Slow-roasted meat seasoned with desert spices, available at Bedouin encampments and authentic local restaurants in Mitzpe Ramon.
• Kibbutz Dates and Almonds — Locally grown dates and almonds from kibbutzim throughout the highlands, sold fresh or as energy snacks for hikers.

Local customs & good to know

• Respect Bedouin Customs — When encountering Bedouin communities, accept offered tea as a sign of hospitality and remove shoes when entering tents or family spaces.
• Prepare for Extreme Isolation — The highlands lack reliable cell service and facilities; inform someone of your hiking plans, carry plenty of water, and be self-sufficient.
• Desert Navigation Skills Required — Many trails are unmarked or poorly marked; hire local guides for multi-day treks and carry GPS or detailed maps to avoid getting lost.
• Visit During Cooler Months — November to March is the ideal season as summer temperatures exceed 40°C; locals and guides strongly advise against desert activities in summer heat.