Meet En Gedi Nature Reserve
En Gedi is the biggest oasis in Israel. It has springs and waterfalls, and flowing brooks at the foot of the cliffs, home to ibexes and rock hyraxes.
Update from the Spokesperson:In coordination with the Israel Police Southern District and following a geological consultation, the Israel Nature and Parks Authority is reopening the En Gedi Nature Reserve in a phased manner. The below detailed reopening will begin from Friday, 01/09/23. The sections that will be open to the public are:
The ancient synagogue is open. The areas that will remain closed at this stageuntil the completion of the geological consultation, are:
The Authority will post signs and guards to ensure that the public does not enter the closed sections. For additional questions, contact the RTG hotline at *3639. Entry to the site will be by prior registration only! The entry fee will be set at 50% of the standard entry price, standing at 14 NIS for adults and 7 NIS for children.
The Authority continues to review the rest of the routes together with the professional experts and will update the public accordingly. |
Please note:
The En Gedi Nature Reserve is divided into three parts: Wadi David Trail | Wadi Arugot Trail | En Gedi Antiquities National Park.
Main points of interest
- David Waterfall – a year-round waterfall along the course of the David Stream, to which there is access by a hiking trail, for all the family.
- Arugot Stream –a hiking trail for good walkers runs along the length of the stream, which flows all year round, to the Hidden Waterfall and the pools at the head of the stream.
- The Oasis Trail – a foot trail connecting the David Stream, the Arugot Stream, and the En Gedi Antiquities. The trail is a comfortable walk, and the part between the David Stream and En Gedi Antiquities National Park is accessible. Along the trail you can read and learn about the special natural abundance in this area. Among other things you’ll find out about the flora and fauna, invasive species and sinkholes. And of course, you’ll see the rich plant life with your own eyes and may meet animals along the way as well
- En Gedi Spring – rises in the mountainside, and sustains abundant vegetation. By the spring are the remains of an ancient flour mill.
- Dudim Cave – a small and intimate cave at the head of the David Waterfall.
The Chalcolithic temple – the ruins of an ancient temple, close to En Gedi Spring. The temple is attributed to the Chalcolithic period (over 5,000 years ago), and attracted the faithful from the surrounding area. - The Dry Canyon – a section of the David Stream (above the spring) in which there are depressions that fill up after the floods, and an impressive lookout – the Window Waterfall. For experienced hikers only.
- En Gedi Ascent – 5 steep trails climbing up from the En Gedi oasis to the Judean Desert plateau: Mt Yishay Ascent, En Gedi Ascent (an ancient path that some consider to be the Tsits Ascent mentioned in II Chronicles 20:16), the Bney Ha’Moshavim Ascent, the Essene Ascent (an ancient Roman path), and Tsruya Ascent. All are for experienced hikers only, and not for hiking during the summer or on very hot days.
- Tel Goren – the remains of the ancient settlement at En Gedi. The mound was found to contain the remains of settlement from the Iron Age (the Biblical period), the Persian period, the Hellenistic period, and the Roman period.
- Monument commemorating the seven Hashomer Ha’Tsair cadets and the Palmach fighter who fell in the bonfire disaster during a hike to Masada at the time of the British Mandate.
En Gedi Nature Reserve
Useful Information
Reserve entrance closes one hour before cited closing time. Last entry to Wadi Arugot: 14:00
Summer hours:
Sunday–Thursday and Saturday: 17:00 - 08:00
Friday and holiday eves: 16:00 - 08:00
Winter hours:
Sunday–Thursday and Saturday: 16:00 - 08:00
Friday and holiday eves: 15:00 - 08:00
Holiday eves: 13:00 - 08:00
Yom Kippur eve: 13:00 - 08:00
Please note:
- Visitors must exit the gate by closing time due to considerations of nature conservation.
- We recommend you check out the brochure and the site map to plan your visit – Click here
08-6584285David Stream 08-6584285, Archeology En Gedi 08-9170586, Arugot Stream 08-6118860
Email: : st-eingedi@npa.org.il Fax: 08-6520228 Reservation Center:08-6584285David Stream 08-6584285, Archeology Ein Gedi 08-9170586, Arugot Stream 08-6118860
Facebook of Nature and Parks Authority Instagram of Nature and Parks AuthorityAlong Road 90 (Dead Sea), approx. 1 km north of Kibbutz En Gedi.
Reserving a visit to En Gedi Nature Reserve
Searching Availability…
Type | Fee |
---|---|
Adult | ₪ 28.00 |
Child | ₪ 14.00 |
Adult in group | ₪ 24.00 |
Child in group | ₪ 12.00 |
Student | ₪ 24.00 |
Israeli senior citizen | ₪ 14.00 |
Synagogue – adult | ₪ 14.00 |
Synagogue – child | ₪ 7.00 |
Synagogue – adult in group | ₪ 13.00 |
Synagogue – child in group | ₪ 6.00 |
Synagogue – student | ₪ 12.00 |
Synagogue – Israeli senior citizen | ₪ 7.00 |
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