Beersheva Atlas

topographical maps &

route descriptions
a work in progress - v1.0

Amenities
Accommodations: Hotel, hostel, guesthouse, homestay, or free trail angel room
Implies: Water, Bathrooms with showers, Shade, shelter
Bedouin tent accommodations: Guesthouse with sleeping arrangements in Bedouin-style tents, not buildings
Implies: Water, Bathrooms, Shade, shelter
Campsite: An area officially designated for camping, a commercial campsite, or a well-established, often-used wild
campsite. In some natural areas, camping is only permitted in designated sites in order to protect the environment
Implies: No services unless otherwise noted
Free unless otherwise noted
Recommended campsite: An area suitable for wild camping, but not typically used for it
Implies: No services unless otherwise noted
Drinking water: A reliable source of potable water
When appearing next to a spring, well, stream or other natural water source, the water still should be purified before
drinking. The symbol will only appear next to natural water sources that have water year-round
Restaurant: Any establishment selling prepared meals
Implies: Water, Bathrooms, Shade, shelter (possibly only for customers)
Grocery store: A store selling substantial foods and essentials (rather than simply snacks)
Implies: Water, Bathrooms, Shade, shelter (possibly only for customers)
Bus stop: A station or stop where public transit can be taken. May be a central bus station or a roadside stop

Bathrooms: Western-style toilets and sinks unless otherwise noted. Does not imply showers; does imply shelter
Picnic area: An area with picnic tables and other park amenities. May be a good camp spot, if noted
Implies: Shade
Gas station: A gas (petrol) station and its accompanying facilities
Implies: Water, Bathrooms, Shade, shelter, and a snack shop
Shade: A reliably shady spot to rest in. Only appears in stages where shade is otherwise nonexistent; sometimes
refers to the point at which a stage begins to have regular shade after having lacked it (see stage notes for details)
All Amenities: A large town or city generally has everything a hiker needs for resupply, and many shopping,
accommodation, and restaurant options; this is used to save space rather than showing all icons
Implies: Accommodations, Restaurants, Grocery Stores, Public Transportation, Bathrooms, Shade, Water, shelter

Natural Features
Spring: A natural water source emerging from the ground, or a pool. May have water only in season. Often
only visible as an area of heavy plant growth. Does not imply drinking water unless otherwise noted
Well or cistern: A man-made water source dug in the ground. May not have water; also appears to serve as a
landmark. Does not imply drinking water unless otherwise noted
Lookout: A natural or man-made viewpoint with a view in the specified direction
360-degree lookout: A lookout point in all directions; usually the summit of a hill, or a watchtower
Cave: A cave of any size; may be anything from a small nook in a cliff wall to a large cavern system
Implies: Shade and shelter (caves marked on maps are always large enough for people to fit into)
Waterfall: A wet or dry waterfall; dry ones run only seasonally or after rain. Does not imply drinking water

Trail Features and Warnings

Scrambling: A section of trail where rock scrambling (using hands) is required. Note that these are all non-technical;
no sections on the Abraham Path require the use of ropes or other climbing equipment
Ladders: A section of trail where the climbing of ladders, staples or ropes is necessary. Again, it is never necessary
to bring any special equipment on the Abraham Path; all ladders, ropes, and handholds are already installed
!

!
!

Exposed trail: A section of trail that is narrow and exposed to a long drop on one or both sides; path may be
slippery or unstable as well. Use extreme caution when crossing.
While none of these sections are inherently dangerous, people with extreme fear of heights may find these
sections impossible to pass and may wish to plan not to hike these stages
General warning: When this symbol is present, a note beside it or in the walking notes will explain why caution or
extra attention is required on that trail section
Flash flood risk area: An area, normally in a narrow or deep wadi or canyon, where dangerous flash floods (large
walls of water moving extremely quickly) can occur.
It does not have to be raining for a flash flood to occur; rain upstream of a desert canyon can cause flash
flooding in the canyon. Always check local weather forecasts before hiking in flash flood risk areas

Cultural Features
Ruins or archaeological site: Ruins of any age or size. Free admission (or non-maintained site) unless
otherwise noted
Synagogue/Church/Mosque or religious site: This may be either a significant site for one or more religions
(tomb of a famous figure; traditional site of a story or event; etc.) or simply one serving as a landmark
Point of interest: Generic symbol for relevant locations not covered by another symbol; see notes beside the
point for more information

Trail Indicators
Abraham Path route: Shows the route followed by the Abraham Path on a given stage
Other Abraham Path route: Shows Abraham Path routes other than the one that is the focus of a stage
map; includes previous and next stages, detours, spurs, etc.
City Walk routes: Shows City Walk routes, special spurs/alternates of the Abraham Path
Begin/End Stage: Mark the beginning and ending of a stage on stage maps
1.4

Waypoints and Distance Indicators: Waypoints mark turn-by-turn directions and navigational
landmarks along a trail stage. There may be a distance markers, indicating cumulative distance from the
beginning of the stage. Even if no distance is attached, each waypoint has a corresponding entry in the
stages data book which does list its distance as well as a description of the location and directions

Other Geography
Roads: Beige are larger highways, up to expressways; white are smaller roads as well as city streets.
Labelled with road number if applicable
Roads marked this way are virtually always asphalt, but in some places with very few paved roads, a wide,
smooth, easily driveable dirt road may also be marked as a white road (e.g. Harran region)
Dirt road or 4x4 track: A wide, unpaved surface generally large enough to accommodate a jeep or 4x4
vehicle. Should be assumed not to be accessible by normal car unless otherwise noted. The distinction
between these and paths (below) is a gradual one, and some trails are on the borderline between both, or
change from one to the other over a distance
Footpath: A narrow, unpaved walking surface generally too small or too rough to be driven by a 4x4
vehicle. May be wide enough for two people to walk abreast, or a narrow, faint goat path. May be very
clear and easy to follow, or faint and more intermittent.
Wadi Name

Wadi or ditch: A wadi is an intermittent streambed which flows with water only in the wet season or
after rain. Many of them form very large canyons, and wadi can refer either to the broader canyon or to
the streambed in the bottom of it
Stream/River: Waterways that flow year-round, rather than seasonally. A stream is usually small enough to
cross easily by foot, while a river is larger. Canals appear the same as streams or rivers

900

Contour Lines: Show the topography of a landscape; a line is drawn every 10m of elevation, and a thicker line
every 100m with a label showing its height. Lines closer together mean a steeper slope; further apart mean a
gradual one
Summit: A peak or local high point
Built-up area: A town, residential, commercial or industrial area
Forest: A densely wooded area
Border: Country boundaries

Israeli Trail System

The Israeli trail marking system consists of various-colored trail marks (black, blue, red, and green; also
purple and orange for certain longer-distance routes) marked with striped symbols shown at left. They
appear on our maps when relevant instead of the 4x4 track or path marking.
The Israel Trail, a long-distance route, is marked with orange-blue-white blazes and a pink translucent line, as
it often overlaps with other marked trails. The Abraham Path in the Negev overlaps with the Israel Trail for
significant distances.

Abraham Path (Masar Ibrahim)

Beersheva Region (Israel)

The Abraham Path is a long-distance cultural walking route following the footsteps and memory of Abraham
across the Middle East. The Abraham Path celebrates the Abrahamic values of hospitality and kindness to
strangers, provides eco-nomic benefits to local communities along the route. For more practical planning information, including downloadable companion GPS tracks and waypoints, visit www.abrahampath.org.
This map series is part of an effort by local partners and the Abraham Path Initiative to produce the first allpath online guidebook, covering over 400 km of walking trail and Abrahamic memory and heritage across
the Middle East. We invite you to take part in this project by walking the path, visiting communities along the
way, and by providing comments and suggestions for improvement. These routes are still in development, and
map feedback is especially helpful for name corrections (towns, wadis, landmarks), areas which are difficult to
navigate, and updates on current path conditions (feedback@abrahampath.org).
Map data OpenStreetMap (and) contributors, CC-BY-SA
Databook & Diagrams Abraham Path Initiative
Disclaimer
This map may not be up to date with recent changes on the ground. By making this map available, the Abraham Path Initiative does
not assume any liability for use of the information provided or for its accuracy. All hiking and other outdoor activities have potential
hazards involving risk of injury or death. The wilderness in and of itself can be a dangerous place and there are areas in the Middle
East that can suddenly become subject to security instability.
By using this map for any use, you recognize this, assume all risks of property damage, personal injury and death, and agree to
hold the Abraham Path Initiative, its Board Directors, its staff, its partners, its contributors and authors harmless from any liability
and loss. You accept the terms and conditions set forth in this Disclaimer on the Abraham Path Initiative website by downloading,
streaming or using any map or other information or materials provided on the Abraham Path Initiative website.
Find out more at www.abrahampath.org

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Rahat

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Omer

Lakiya

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Tel Beersheva

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Keramim
Forest

Sansana
Settlement

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Hura

Meitar

Stage 3

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Yatir Forest

Stage 3 cont.

Derijat

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1: Beersheva to Lakiya

Distance: 20.0 km
Time: 4-6 hours
Physical Challenge: easy
Trail Difficulty: moderate

(Beersheva Region)
km

Walking notes

+km

16.6

The road becomes paved; turn L onto the street at the intersection
just ahead, and follow this street as it curves up and R, making a
large semicircle

1.0

17.6

Turn L at the intersection with the mosque on R and old well on L

0.4

18.0

A transparent blaze leads L to the "Huria Palace"

0.4

2.3

18.4

Cross the street toward the school and turn R, heading down the
main road running E-W

1.6

Pass a square garden enclosure on R

0.9

20.0

Reach the Sidreh Weaving Co-Op on L. END STAGE

4.3

As the paved park trail comes to an end, continue straight, crossing

some mounds of dirt, to follow green blazes under the bridge and
on along the dirt road

0.9

5.2

Turn L uphill with the dirt road just before reaching the bridge;
at the top of the climb, pass through an area with construction
equipment

0.1

5.3

Begin heading downhill with a horizontal white pipe on L; turn R

to pass under the bridge, still following the dirt road. After going
under the bridge, immediately turn up and L, toward the electrical
tower

0.4

5.7

The dirt road becomes paved; just after this, turn L on a 4x4 track as
you reach the cemetery on R. Pass the cemetery and turn R with the
4x4 track, keeping the railroad parallel to L

0.5

6.2

Turn R, taking the path downhill into the wadi. Continue straight
ahead N on the paths in the wadi bed, ignoring options to turn
uphill out of it

1.1

7.3

Turn L uphill on a wide dirt road out of the wadi; follow the dirt
road slightly R, heading N and keeping the power lines just to R

0.1

7.4

Stay straight across a paved road; a sign across the highway to R

says "Veterinary Hospital"

0.2

7.6

Arrive at Tel Sheva Junction. Green blazes end; cross caddy-corner

to find red blazes beginning in the forest across the highway, and
head NE along a dirt road parallel to Hwy. 60

0.3

7.9

Go straight on a faint path as the 4x4 track heads L

0.2

8.1

Turn R on a gravel road, then L parallel to the highway

0.9

9.0

Turn R, descending into a small wadi, and go on through tall plants

and brush to enter a tunnel; after passing through it, continue along
the wadi bed

0.4

Stage Notes:

9.4

Continue straight, joining a 4x4 track R of the wadi; then turn R at

the 4-way junction of 4x4 tracks

0.8

10.2

Turn L on the large dirt road, leaving the red trail and beginning to
follow a blue trail

1.3

11.5

Turn slight R at the 5-way junction of dirt roads; stay on that dirt
road for about 1km, passing several more dirt roads and groves of
eucalyptus trees

1.4

12.9

Enter the village of Awajan, and stay straight through the village

0.9

Tel Beersheva, a short distance off-route, is well worth a visit

for its well-preserved example of an ancient city in the region.
Although it was inhabited before and after, not during, the time
of Abraham, the archaeology and interpretive materials found
there provide a valuable source of context for understanding
the history of the area. Admission 15NIS/child 7NIS/student
13NIS. 8am-5pm April-September, 8am-4pm October-March

13.8

Turn R on a large dirt road, leaving the blue trail for a black one

0.3

14.1

Continue straight at an intersection with another large dirt road

running N-S; there may be no blazes visible

0.4

14.5

Continue straight under the power lines

0.5

15.0

Turn L on a large dirt road at the junction, leaving the blackmarked trail for a red-marked trail, although there may be few or
no blazes to follow. Head N toward the hills and town of Lakiya,
staying with the main, large dirt road

0.5

15.5

Pass the entrance to a small, settled enclosure on L

0.9

16.4

Turn R as you enter Lakiya; red blazes reappear

0.2

0.0

BEGIN STAGE. From Abraham's Well, head east toward the street
(HaMelacha St.) and turn R

0.5

0.5

Follow the street L, then turn R on the sidewalk along the highway
(David HaCham Blvd.)

0.6

1.1

Turn L, leaving the sidewalk, heading onto a paved park path

marked as a green trail. Continue with this path for the next 3.2km

3.4

5.3

1km

Beershevas Central Bus Station, near the beginning of the stage,

is the main transit hub for the region, and can be reached by bus
from anywhere in Israel (sometimes involves changing buses).
Tel Sheva Junction also has bus stops, and is reached by numerous buses between Beersheva and other points.
Bus 63 runs back and forth between Beer Sheva and Lakiya,
also stopping at Tel Beersheva, Tel Sheva, Tel Sheva Junction,
and Omer along the way, making it the most convenient way to
access parts of this stage. It runs about once an hour.

Water:
Water frequently available - in Beersheva, off-route at Tel Beersheva and Omer, possibly from Awajan and other small villages
along the way, and in Lakiya.
Both Beersheva and Lakiya have grocery stores.

The Lakiya Weaving Co-Op is a charitable and community

leadership-focused operation employing the traditional handicrafts of Bedouin women as a source of income to provide education and literacy programs, as well as creating awareness of
womens rights and social issues. Visitors are welcome, although
there may not always be an English-speaker present.

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)

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Trail Angels
(See List Online)

Meitar

12.5

13.3

60

2: Lakiya to Meitar

Distance: 13.3 km
Time: 3-5 hours
Physical Challenge: easy
Trail Difficulty: moderate

(Beersheva Region)
km

Walking notes

+km

BEGIN STAGE at Sidreh Weaving Co-Op. Go E

toward the highway/exit of town, passing an intersection and roundabout. Cross the highway, leaving
the red trail

0.4

0.4

Cross Hwy. 31, then turn L, joining the blue-blazed

trail on a dirt road

0.5

0.9

Staying with the blue blazes, turn R on another dirt

road. Keep straight toward the forest on this main
dirt road, although many other tracks and path
intersect

0.4

1.3

As the path nears the forest edge, take the R road at a

Y-shaped fork. Continue straight on this road as the
forest begins on L

4.3

5.6

Turn R at the intersection of dirt tracks

0.2

5.8

Stay with the large dirt road as it does the first of

several U-turns over the next kilometer, following a
hillside

0.9

Turn R, leaving the blue trail, to cross the paved

route (local Hwy. 3253, though it is not marked) and
R again, onto a dirt road downhill. Join the Israel
Trail (see Stage Notes)

0.5

7.2

Take the second-rightmost turn at a 6-way junction

of dirt roads. Continue straight past orchards on R
and forest on L

0.9

8.1

As you reach the paved road (local Hwy. 3253), turn

L to follow dirt roads along whichever side of it is
more comfortable. Across the road from the turn
is a sign for "Keramim Forest." You will follow this
road for several km until it reaches a junction with a
larger highway

2.7

10.8

Cross Hwy. 60, then turn L on dirt roads along the

highway

0.4

11.2

Cross the bridge along the the highway shoulder

After crossing the bridge, see several explanatory
signs in Hebrew, as well as a road sign with an Israel
Trail blaze pointing to Meitar Forest. Turn R onto
the smaller paved road here, following a blue-blazed
trail as well as the Israel Trail

0.3

11.5

Turn R onto a dirt road, following the INT away

from the paved road and blue-marked trail

1.0

12.5

Continue straight past a small dirt road loop on R

0.3

12.8

Go R at the Y intersection; continue ahead on this

dirt road, keeping forest on L and open fields on R

0.4

13.2

Keep straight past 4x4 tracks heading up toward

town

0.1

13.3

Reach a picnic area with running water, just north of

Meitar. END STAGE. Option: to enter Meitar, head
SW toward the town, to find a street without a fence
blocking it

6.7

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Transportation:
Bus 63 runs back and forth between Beersheva and Lakiya, also
stopping at Tel Beersheva, Tel Sheva, Tel Sheva Junction, and
Omer along the way.
Bus 38 connects Meitar with Lakiya (on the way to Lehavim
further northwest) but runs only once a day. Meitar is also connected with Har Amasa on the next stage by the once-a-day bus
51.
Meitar has regular bus connections to Beersheva; buses stop at
the access road on Hwy. 60, and some come into the center of
town as well.

Water:
Water available in Lakiya and in the picnic area on the route just
north of Meitar, as well as in Meitar if needed.
Both Lakiya and Meitar have grocery stores; in Meitar they are
near the center of town, off-route, but have much wider variety
than in Lakiya.

Stage Notes:
The Lakiya Weaving Co-Op is a charitable and community
leadership-focused operation employing the traditional handicrafts of Bedouin women as a source of income to provide education and literacy programs, as well as creating awareness of
womens rights and social issues. Visitors are welcome, although
there may not always be an English-speaker present.
Trail angels in Meitar offer to host hikers; see the region information page of this atlas for more information about them and
how to contact them.
From 6.7km into this stage, youll begin following the Israel
Trail route - orange, blue and white blazes, with the orange
stripe uppermost (which indicates you are heading south on
the trail). If hiking through more than one region of the Negev,
youll continue following the Israel Trail until Beer Efe, in
around 100km in the Arad region, and follow it further in the
Craters region.

END

Lakiya

Meitar

abrahampath.org

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13.1

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Foresters
House

11.0

Trail Angels
(See List Online)

Meitar

Continued at
upper right

10.1

er
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West Bank Barrier

14.0

1.9

14.8

2.6

15.5

358

3.4

15.9

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592m

5.8

17.5

700

700

Shani-Livne

Mt. Hiran

Lev Yatir
(Abandoned Town)

50

18.5

o
r

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s

Yatir
Reservoir

358

600

60

7.8

500
80

60

60

8.5

Yatir Ruins

Har
Amasa

1 km

9.1

21.8

Continued at
lower left

Abandoned
Town

800

3: Meitar to Har Amasa

Distance: 21.8 km
Time: 5-8 hours
Physical challenge: moderate
Trail Difficulty: easy

(Beersheva Region)
Walking notes

+km

BEGIN STAGE at the picnic area just north of Meitar at the edge
of the woods, and head NE up the large dirt road, following it past
several smaller tracks branching off, keeping the woods on L

0.2

0.2

At the fork, take the R dirt road

0.4

0.6

Continue straight ahead at the 5-way intersection. Uphill on your

L, pass an old house with a watchtower

0.3

Continue downhill as another dirt road joins from R

0.1

At bottom of hill at the 6-way intersection, pass a sign marking

Meitar Forest, and pass blazes for a blue trail. Go slightly R and
uphill on a rough 4x4 track

0.5

1.5

Keep R on the 4x4 track, passing very close to a wider dirt road
which turns in from the L, then away again

0.4

1.9

Join with the large dirt road marked blue; follow it straight ahead,
leaving the 4x4 track as it turns L. Stay with the large dirt road for
0.7km

0.7

2.6

Continue straight ahead on a rough 4x4, staying with the Israel

Trail as the large dirt road and blue trail turn L

0.8

3.4

Continuing on the same 4x4 track, the way becomes quite rough as
it heads down into a wadi bed, then up the other side

2.4

5.8

Turn R as the forest begins on L and another 4x4 heads L beside

the forest edge; Take the R track at the fork, heading to the radio
tower, then take the right 4x4 downhill at the next intersection

2.0

7.8

Step a short way off-trail to R and look back west for a view of
Beersheva on a clear day

0.4

8.2

Turn R, joining the paved road from coming from L

0.3

8.5

Turn L on a 4x4 track that cosses the paved road; continue straight
on this track past a small cave to L and other tracks heading R
and L

0.3

8.8

If you wish to explore the Yatir ruins, head L off-trail

0.3

9.1

Turn R onto the dirt road marked as a blue trail with purple dots at
the bottom of the hill; pass a signpost in Hebrew indicating trails

1.0

10.1

Pass a small picnic area on L and a group of 3 palm trees on R

at a junction. Follow the Israel Trail and blue/purple trail uphill
straight ahead on a dirt road

0.9

11

Turn R down onto a rough 4x4 in the wadi, leaving the dirt road
and blue trail behind, continuing with the Israel Trail

0.3

11.3

Turn R onto a footpath away from the 4x4 track; follow it through
the orchard to the foot of the hill

0.1

11.4

Cross the 4x4 path at the foot of the hill and turn R, following the
steep rocky path uphill

0.2

11.6

Continue east up along the hill's crest, soon reaching another faint
4x4 track in the open corridor between woods on either side

0.5

12.1

Turn R, then R again, on 4x4 tracks, passing small piles of rocks

beside the trail

0.4

Stage Notes:

12.5

Stay with the Israel Trail blazes uphill; no path is discernible, but
you'll see the fence around the Forester's House uphill on L and a
large dirt road downhill to R

0.1

Both the Foresters House and Har Amasa offer free, basic
rooms to hikers (several cots without linens or pillows).

12.6

A pair of white lines pointing L from an INT blaze indicates a sight

to see just off-trail; follow a detour for about 60 meters to L to see
an ancient well

0.1

12.7

Continue straight through a field of boulders, with the fence to L,

then head L on the dirt road curving around the hillside

0.4

13.1

Reach the entry to the Forester's House, with signs about the Israel
Trail. Head E across a paved road, then turn L downhill, continuing with Israel Trail blazes, on a dirt road (not the one marked with
red blazes).

0.5

4.7

13.6

Continue straight at the 5-way intersection, as a purple trail joins

the Israel Trail

0.4

Turn L at the T-junction

0.8

14.8

Turn L at the T-junction, then stay L

0.7

15.5

Turn L at the T-junction, away from the fence

0.3

15.8

Turn R at the T-junction

0.1

15.9

Take the L dirt road at the fork

1.6

17.5

Turn R with the same dirt road

0.2

17.7

Take the L dirt road at the fork where there is a field to R; continue
on this dirt road as it winds and passes intersections with other
tracks

0.8

18.5

Turn R, downhill at the 5-way junction of dirt roads

0.4

18.9

Stay with the dirt road as it curves L and L again over a few
hundred meters

0.3

19.2

Turn sharp R past another dirt road heading L

0.1

19.3

Turn R uphill on a dirt road, at an intersection with a larger dirt

road marked as a blue trail

2.5

21.8

Cross a large dirt road, leaving the forest. END STAGE. Har
Amasa is just to L

14

Meitar has regular bus connections to Beersheva; buses stop at

the access road on Hwy. 60, and some come into the center of
town as well.
Har Amasa is served by Egged bus 51, which runs only a few
times a day to and from Beersheva. Check schedules at www.
bus.co.il (which uses the spellings Beersheba and Har Amsa)

Water:
Water available in the picnic area on the route just north of
Meitar, as well as in Meitar if needed. The Foresters House
always has water, as does Har Amasa.
Meitar has the last grocery stores you will find until Arad, in the
Arad region, after 2-3 days hiking.

The Foresters House, actually a repurposed military structure,

features great views of the hilly Yatir Forest, although its lookout
tower is not open to visitors.
Be sure to make a short detour to explore the Byzantine-era
Yatir ruins, adjacent to the trail - look for the mosaics among
the fallen buildings.
Har Amasa

8.8

13.1

abrahampath.org

2km

10

END

Transportation:

Fo
r
Ho est
us ers
e

ns

Meitar

Ru
i

1000
900
800
700
600
500
400
300
200
100

Ya
tir

0.9

M
t
(5 . Hi
92 ra
m n
)

km

12

14

16

18

20

1000
900
800
700
600
500
400
300
200
100

21.8

11

800

700

Yatir
Reservoir

Har
Amasa
0.0
r
i
t

t
s

700

80
0

800

80

e
70
0

r
o

1.2

Mt. Amasa
60
0

865m

80

60

3.2

4.1

700

Quarry

600

5.0

600

Derijat
5.5

Kishkar Nabari
Kudeirat as-Sana
7.2
8.5
Makhul

80

Janabib

9.4

Tel Arad ($)

500

50

500

abrahampath.org

11.1

1 km

4: Har Amasa to Tel Arad

Distance: 11.1 km
Time: 2-4 hours
Physical challenge: easy
Trail Difficulty: moderate

(Beersheva Region)

+km
0.1

0.1

Head generally S, following black and Israel Trail

blazes, as there is no clear path

0.1

0.2

Continue S, joining with a Roman road, which is

easily discernible as a very rough, rocky track. Continue following this for several km

1.0

1.2

Reach the summit of Har Amasa, the highest point

on the Abraham Path in the Negev. Continue south
on the Roman road

2.0

3.2

Stay S with the Roman road as a quarry comes into

view across the valley on R

0.9

4.1

Continue S with the Israel Trail and black trail as the

Roman road gives way to hard-to-distinguish paths
across the mountainside

0.6

4.7

A narrow path becomes discernible again; follow it

S. Pass a small, ancient square structure on R

0.2

4.9

Turn R, passing a cave on R, keeping a small wadi

just to L

0.1

Continue S along the wadi with the Israel Trail,

leaving the black trail which heads R into the town
of Derijat.

0.5

5.5

Turn L on a large dirt road heading E

0.3

5.8

Keep straight, heading E on the dirt road, through

an intersection with other dirt tracks. You will continue following this large dirt road most of the way
to Tel Arad, heading generally ESE. Blazes are often
few and far between along the way

1.4

7.2

Keep straight on the dirt road, crossing small wadi

with a horizontal pipe over it

1.3

8.5

Continue straight E between sections of the village

of Janabib, then turn R at the junction just after passing the village

0.9

9.4

Turn slight R (not the rightmost option, but the

next) at the junction of many dirt roads

1.5

10.9

Take the R dirt road at the fork, heading slightly

away from the park entrance visible to L

0.2

11.1

Reach the paved access road to Tel Arad National

Park. END STAGE. To enter the park, turn L

END

1.2

1km

Har Amasa is served by Egged bus 51, which runs only a few
times a day to and from Beersheva. Check schedules at www.
bus.co.il (which uses the spellings Beersheba and Har
Amsa). It also stops at Shoket junction, from which several
buses run to Arad.
Tel Arad Junction, at the crossing of Hwys. 80 and 31 a few km
south of Tel Arad, has regular buses between Arad and Beersheva.

Water:
Adequate water supplies on the stage - fill up in Har Amasa and
you can easily last the 11km to Tel Arad. If needed, Derijat (just
off-trail) can provide water as well as a few shops; the Bedouin
villages on the route often suffer a shortage of water themselves,
but someone there might be able to provide water if needed.
Snack shops only at Tel Arad - next grocery store is in 11km, on
the following stage (Arad region stage 1).

Stage Notes:
Har Amasa offers a free, basic room to hikers (several cots without linens or pillows). During the cool season when Israel Trail
hikers are numerous, the room may fill up quickly.
The route follows a Roman road for several kilometers atop the
mountain ridge; although it is battered by time, its route is still
easily discernable. This road likely continued from the mountains to cross the Rift Valley into modern-day Jordan.
Tel Arad, a truly ancient city dating back as far as 6000 years,
contains ruins from many eras of its habitation, as well as
religious structures with fascinating significance in the history
of monotheism. Admission 15NIS/child 7NIS/student 13NIS.
8am-5pm April-September; 8am-4pm October-March.
Tel Arad also offers camping and rooms for hikers, the availability of which must be checked in advance (see Accommodations on the region information page)

5.0

Tel Arad

bi
b

(o Der
ff- ija
ro t
ut
e)

Har Amasa
1000
900
800
700
600
500
400
300
200
100

M
t.
(8 Am
65 a
m sa
)

BEGIN STAGE just S of Har Amasa, where a blackmarked trail heads S away from the large dirt road
leading to the town. Follow the black trail uphill
away from the forest edge

Transportation:

na

Walking notes

Ja

km

8.5

abrahampath.org

10

11.1

1000
900
800
700
600
500
400
300
200
100

13

Abraham Path
Beersheva Region (Israel)

The Beersheva region extends from Beersheva, where a well traditionally dug by Abraham sits beside an Ottoman-era old city amid a thoroughly modern city, through desert-edge hills and forests, to a dry plain where
millennia-old ruins await. Abrahams era is well-represented in this region: the sites and cities associated with
him hold long traditions; the Bedouin shepherds tending their flocks in the hills evoke his pastoral lifestyle,
and the ruins along the way echo through millennia before and after Abraham walked through this land.
The rich diversity of the region, with Bedouin who keep alive a rich heritage of desert culture, and Jewish and
Muslim towns of many persuasions, is also reflected in the landscape. The stage begins and ends in rolling
desert plains where dust devils spin over the landscape in the dry season, but in between, shady pine forests
intermixed with orchards and overlooks provide a completely different hiking experience. Reaching the top
of a mountain ridge overlooking the Dead Sea rift, youll have the opportunity to gaze down on several different climatic and geographical zones from a single viewpoint.
The region is not logistically complicated to hike, but is best suited for the self-supported backpacker. Wild
camping is easily possible throughout much of the stage, particularly in the forests, and basic free rooms
made available for hikers appear as well. Water and food stops are relatively frequent and transportation is
available to most points at stage ends.
Accommodation:
Beersheva has numerous hotels and hostels; find information and book online.
Lakiya currently lacks accommodations. The terrain south and west of it is very open and not well-suited to
secluded camping; hikers wishing to camp can find more sheltered spots in Keramim Forest just northeast of
Lakiya.
The town of Meitar has a picnic site just north of it, which has water fountains and is comfortable for camping (bring a tent or bug net, as mosquitoes can be rampant here). Meitar also has a number of trail angels see section on next page.
The Foresters House and Har Amasa both have small, basic rooms available for free to hikers; just walk in
and ask someone where to find it. Both have showers and a few cots (no pillows or linens) and are first-come,
first-served. At the Foresters House in particular, the availability of hot water and even electricity is not to be
taken for granted!
Derijat homestays: From $17/person, plus meals and village tours. Contact Gaber Abu Ahmad, 054-7969576,
or gabera66@gmail.com
Tel Arad: Camping with own tent 50 NIS/person; with provided tents or dormitory-style 60 NIS; Shared
room (up to 5 people) 450 NIS. Price includes park admission. Is sometimes fully booked by large school
groups; must call in advance to ensure availability: 057-776-2170.

Abraham Path
Beersheva Region (Israel)
Trail Angels:
Trail angels, or malakhei shvil in Hebrew, are people who volunteer to host hikers for free. They exist
along the length of the Israel Trail, a long-distance route with which the Abraham Path overlaps for much of
the Negev, including in Meitar in the Beersheva region. Trail angels may put hikers up in a spare bedroom,
on their living room floor, in their backyards, or sometimes even in separate cabins; some are very social and
eat a meal with hikers (often asking the visitor to help cook or clean), while others prefer to provide a place to
sleep other but keep mostly to themselves.
Staying with trail angels is a very unique and unpredictable cultural experience, and anyone who is open to
the unexpected and interested in meeting friendly locals is encouraged to try it. Trail angels prefer to be contacted several days in advance, and many prefer to host only long-distance hikers - those hiking for a week
or more. To find contact information for trail angels, scroll down or search for Meitar on this page: http://
shvil.wikia.com/wiki/INT_Trail_Angels. Keep in mind not to contact trail angels with the SHO notation on
Friday night, Saturday, or Jewish holidays.
Water and Supplies:
Water is available at least at the beginning and end of each stage, and in the longer stages (1 and 3) there are
further water options midway through. It is still wise to carry at least four liters for the longer stages, though,
particularly if the weather is hot.
There are markets in Beersheva, Lakiya, and Meitar. Self-supported hikers should stock up in Meitar for the
2-3 day hike to Arad (Arad region) where there are more supermarkets.
Transportation to the Beersheva region:
The main airport in Israel is Ben Gurion International airport, located between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Israel
has a well-developed and affordable system of public transport that includes buses, shared taxis (known as
sheruts) and trains. For bus schedules and prices, see www.bus.co.il. Train connections service the coastal
cities as well as Beersheva; see rail.co.il for schedules and prices. Both buses and trains do not run on Shabbat
(from Friday evening to Saturday night), while shared taxis run seven days a week. View Jerusalem Transportation for more details.
Beersheva, Lakiya, Meitar, Derijat, and Tel Arad are all served by public buses (except Friday evening through
Saturday evening). Local buses run throughout the area between Beersheva and Arad. Beersheva is the most
major hub in the region, with service to Jerusalem, Eilat, Tel Aviv. Har Amasa is served by less-frequent
buses, and within the Yatir Forest, public transit is nonexistent. Bus information can be found at www.bus.
co.il, or (for Egged buses only) at www.egged.co.il.
Beersheva can be reached by bus from all major cities in Israel and from surrounding towns, as well as by
train from the airport.

15