Amram's Pillars and Mount Amir in the Eilat Mountains

From the car park at the end of the dirt road from Route 90, follow the black marks up the narrowing valley to Amram's Pillars (עמודי עמרם), columns of red and white sandstone carved out of the cliff by water running down its cracks, and come back the same way. Take the blue-marked track south-east past the campsite, then climb the green trail up Mount Amir past the shafts of ancient copper mines to a lookout over the Gulf of Eilat and the mountains of Edom. Carry on down the green to the Peresh Tambur rock, turn right on the red, and follow it back north to the car park.

It is 4.9 km round with 187 m of ascent; allow about 1½ hours. The grade is Easy: desert paths and tracks, with a steep, loose climb and descent on Mount Amir.

INPA says the trails of the Eilat Mountains are not for summer days. Carry at least 3 litres of water each, as there is none in the reserve, and keep out of the stream beds when rain is forecast. Entry closes an hour before the reserve closes, and walking after dark is forbidden.

The reserve is free. The dirt road leaves Route 90 between the 20 and 21 km markers north of Eilat; INPA says any car can manage it. There is no bus.

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.