Page 18 - Discover Israel Magazine - UK edition 2017

The stage of the trail running from Mitzpe
Ramon to Eilat has already been opened,
and logistical assistance and tourism
packages are readily available. You are
invited to come ride through one one the
most beautiful desert trails in the world,
300 km (approximately 186 miles) through
breathtaking desert landscapes, all well
organized, with signs and created specifically
for bike riders. Spend 6-8 days in the desert,
enjoy the serenity of the primal landscape and
imagine yourself riding on a camel.
The trail from Mitzpe Ramon to Eilat begins
from the town of Mitzpe Ramon, located at
the rim of Makhtesh Ramon, a geographic
feature unique to Israel, and as the travel
down its length, riders will continue to enjoy
spectacular views of the crater. The route
uses the ancient tracks of camel caravans
that transported the spices and fragrances of
frankincense and salt from Yemen and Saudi
Arabia to the ports of the Mediterranean
Sea - Gaza, Ashdod and from there to
Europe. Down the length of the trail, you
will see Nabatean and Roman fortresses.
The first day of the trail ends at the bottom
of Makhtesh Ramon, at the well-kept Khan
Be'erot, managed by the Israel Nature and
Parks Authority. On the second day, we'll
ride through Israel's largest canyons - the
Nekarot River. After investing much effort,
we were able to create a trail on one of the
sides of the river, making it possible to ride
down the length of the deep and impressive
river. While on the trail, we will pass through Timna Park. You need to set out very early in
the ancient inn for travelers, Khan Nekerot
and Khirbet Katzra. The day ends at the
impressive site known as Moa.
A coastal view. Photo: Hillel Sussman
D I S C O V E R I S R A E L 18
The third day of our ride begins at the khan
in Moa and ends after passing a spectacular
desert single-track built by volunteers on
Moshav Faran, which offers an example of
the impressive agriculture that developed
under the extreme climate of the Araba.
On the fourth day, we ride down the length of
the Syria-African Rift, southward through the
Araba, near the border with Jordan and the
beautiful scenery of the mountains of Edom.
On the fifth day, we will have to work hard to
ride or walk uphill to Ketura, depending on
your level of fitness. Regardless, within about
an hour you will have made it to the top and
be able to look down at the scenes of the
stage, which ends at Kibbutz Neot Semadar,
a green community with organic farming.
And... nothing could be better than capping
off this tough day with a nice meal at Pundak
Neot Semadar.
Every day offers its own peak, and just
when you think you've seen everything, you
have another three incredible days ahead.
They begin at the stage that runs from Neot
Semadar to the most isolated and remote
town in Israel - Shaharut. On this day (it's
tough to believe), we will cross impressive
dunes, and towards the end of the day,
we will look out over the Araba from the
Shayarot Range. Tomorrow we will face the
toughest day of riding yet, close to 50km
of desert trail, part single track, that winds
along the Eilat Mountains and descends to
the morning and take large amounts of food
and water with you. Anyone who has made
it this far, will be able to handle the riding, but
Pedaling through the sand. Photo: Shai Giterman, Adrenaline
for those who are not as skilled, this is one of
the toughest days on the trail.
The prize for making it this far is ending the
day in Timna Park. Tomorrow, the last day on
the trail is easier and shorter, so take some
time in the morning to explore the network
of bike trails recently developed around
the park and ride between its pillar- and
mushroom-shaped rock formations. Set out
on the final leg that ends after a glorious
view of the Gulf of Eilat and the neighboring
countries: Jordan, Egypt and Saudi Arabia.
What’s still in store?
This coming year, we look forward to
completing large parts of the northern
segment, from Mount Hermon to Nazareth,
and we may also be able to complete
one of the impressive tourist bike paths in
Jerusalem, allowing riders to travel through
time from the Old City and the Western Wall
to the modern city, past the Knesset and
the Israel Museum. The planning team is
currently preparing the final plans for this
fascinating urban route.
In November, they will begin working on the
phase connecting Sde Boker and Mitzpe
Ramon above the Zin River and trhough
the ancient Nabatean city of Avdat. While
much work remains, our vision is to fill Israel
with bikers from around the world and bring
them closer to Israel through their bicycles.
In recent years, Israel has rapidly become
a biker’s paradise, with hundreds of miles
of mountain bike trails throughout the entire
country. Even now, each stage we launch
becomes a hub for bikers and introduces
them to more and more of the country’s
hidden gems.
A glimpse of water and
greenery. Photo: Hillel Sussman