Eilat - The Nature - ISRAEL4FAMILIES

Eilat is the perfect place for a family trip with infinite possibilities.
This post is about the trails in the area that surrounds Eilat, in the map (at the bottom of this post) they are the purple pins from top to the bottom, you can do them on your way to Eilat from the North or by staying in Eilat and choose a different trail every day. You’ll need more than a day to enjoy all of them.
Click here for the post about the city of Eilat and Eilat beaches.

1) Hay-Bar Yotvata Natural Reserve

The Yotvata oasis is half an hour’s drive from the city of Eilat.
A nice Safari in the desert

Here you will see Asian wild ass, African wild ass, Arabian oryx, gazelles, addax (white antelope), ostrich, and raptors in cages.
This driving path is designed for all types of vehicles (you cannot exit the car or feed the animals)
Children of all ages will love the video on the establishment and operation of the Hay Bar
At the entrance to the reserve, you will find a Camping area for individuals and groups ( you need prior coordination.)
This is a few hours easy trip perfect for families with small kids that want to have a desert experience and don’t want to sweat

Opening Hours
Reserve entrance closes one hour before cited closing time
Summer hours:
Sunday–Thursday and Saturday: 08:30 – 17:00 Friday and holiday eves: 08:30 – 16:00
Winter hours:
Sunday–Thursday and Saturday: 08:30 – 16:00 Friday and holiday eves: 08:30 – 15:00 Holiday eves: 08:00 – 13:00 Yom Kippur eve:
Website: https://www.parks.org.il/en/reserve-park/hay-bar-yotvata-nature-reserve/
Waze, type: Hay-Bar Yotvata Nature Reserve
Tickets: ₪38 for each person
If you think to visit more than one park it is better to save money and buy one of the cards that the “Israel nature and park authority” gives you, please click the following link to learn more about it https://www.parks.org.il/en/article/money-saving-tickets/

2) Timna Park

A beautiful park in the middle of the desert an ensemble of scenic, geological and archaeological sites. Its acacia trees and other arid-land vegetation, its herds of wild ibex looking out at you from the cliff tops, and its evidence of human activity from antiquity to the present all make Timna Park an incomparable visitor magnet.

Kids and grownup activities as pedal boats on the lake, colored sand bottle craft, making “King Solomon’s stamps” and much more
Overnight campgrounds
King Solomon’s Khan restaurant
A souvenir shop

Solomon’s Pillars

As part of the Timna park you will find the “Solomon’s Pillars” don’t miss them, they worth a visit.
The columns are a typical natural landscape, which developed during the years as a result of weathering along cracks in the hard red sandstone. The columns are named after King Solomon.
Opening hours
Sun-Thur & Sat: 08:00-16:00
Fri: 08:00-15:00
Holiday eve, July & August 08:00-13:00 (sunset tours)
Website: http://www.parktimna.co.il/en/

3) The Red Canyon

About 20 km from Eilat, you will find the Red Canyon one of the most fun and beautiful places in the region. The wind and the rains over the years have carved the red Nubian sandstone of the Canyon walls making it a true masterpiece of nature. Along the track, you will find steps to facilitate and make the descent towards the Canyon inlet safer. Most of the track is located within a shaded river channel, Starting from the parking lot, you will come across two types of trail signs: green and black which mark the two paths which are both rounds:

The green trail is shorter and easier -2.7 km – duration 1-2 hours (suitable for families with young children) Follow the path marked in green from the car park that will lead you easily into the “Shani” river channel. Here you can enjoy all the shades of red on the walls (iron oxides create this shade like rust). The path narrows as you continue and takes you to a larger channel, called the second stream. To return follow the signs in black and from the entrance to the Canyon follow the signs in red to reach the car
The black trail – 4-5 km long – duration: 2-3 hours (less suitable for families with small children) The trail is more difficult. At the end of the path, you will have to climb to get to a panoramic point from where you will see the river canal. Note that after the ascent you will have to descend a steep descent, then descend slowly and finally, you will reach the second channel again. Continuing the path you will come across a spectacular massive rock, which seems to explode from the ground. At this point, you can take a break to climb the rock and take some photos. Then continue following the green path that leads to the Red Canyon. This path continues to narrow, revealing the power of nature in all its glory.

TIPS

If you arrive in Eilat by car or if you are in Eilat and want to enjoy this magnificent nature in a day.
ATTENTION: The Canyon is very close to the border with Egypt so road 12 is closed from 7 in the evening until morning.
DO NOT forget the water and bring something to eat
BE AWARE that you have to end your trail before sunset!
CAMPING: If you decide to stay and sleep in the camping area, you must contact this number to request an authorization.

Direction
The highway to Red Canyon is number 12 (Eilat-Mizpe Ramon)
Bus
You can also arrive by bus (less suitable for families with small children) Take the no. 392 egged that 5 times a day go Eilat-Mizpe Ramon and vice versa the last bus is at 19:00. The stop is “צומת הר עוזיה” but before getting off talk to the driver and be told exactly when you have to take the return bus, take into consideration that it stops 2 km from the starting point of the route (so add 4 km in the total round trip). more info
When
During the day better early in the morning around 8:00; I do not recommend a visit in summer is too hot, better to visit Kenion during all the other seasons. WARNING in winter doesn’t make any excursion after or while it rains not only the wet boulders are dangerous and you can slip the real danger is the flooding due to the rains which can be lethal especially in the narrow part of the path. In all other seasons
Cost
Admission: Free

4) Observation points

Mount Hezkiau

Arrived at the turn from highway 12 towards the Red Canyon, there is another sign indicating where the Hezekiah observation point is, from which you can see the Sinai valley.

Mount Yoash