Line © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), checked by Global Adventurer.
The ride
From the car park on Ben-Gurion Boulevard in the centre of Mitzpe Ramon (מצפה רמון), ride south-west to the edge of the town and join the council's Desert Edge ring, signed clockwise. It runs west along the rim of Makhtesh Ramon, past viewpoints over the crater, to the western end of the town's plateau, then turns north to the farms in the valley of Nahal Zin, where modern growing sits beside ancient run-off terraces. It climbs back along a ridge with views between the valley and the town, drops past the Noga neighbourhood and returns along the paved bike path beside Ben-Gurion Boulevard.
It is 17.4 km round with 181 m of climbing; allow about an hour of riding. The grade is Easy: gravel paths and desert tracks with a paved finish, suitable for families according to the council.
The ring is shadeless at about 850 m on the desert plateau, often windy, and hot in summer: carry plenty of water. Keep well back from the crater edge at the viewpoints.
The ring is free. Buses from Beersheva and Eilat stop on Route 40 in the town, close to the route.
Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.
Good to know
- Mitzpe Ramon sits on the northern rim of Makhtesh Ramon, a 40 km long erosion crater in the Negev highlands.
- The ring is the Mitzpe Ramon council's 'green route', part of its 'Desert Edge' trail network.
- Farms along Nahal Zin mix modern growing with ancient run-off farming terraces, used here since Nabataean times.
- The council also signs a blue route, the Bor Hemet singletrack, for stronger riders.
Getting there
Start: Car park on Ben-Gurion Boulevard, Mitzpe Ramon. 30.60940, 34.79925
Directions to the start
Google Maps Apple Maps Waze Moovit
Waze drives you to the car park; Moovit has the buses and trains to the start.
Places to stay nearby
Rooms in and around Car park on Ben-Gurion Boulevard: Booking.com → Expedia → Hotels.com →
Affiliate links: if you book, Global Adventurer earns a small commission at no cost to you.
Paths and roads change, and surfaces vary with the weather. The line and figures come from OpenStreetMap and our own checks; ride to what you find, give way to walkers and horses, and carry what you need to mend a puncture.