Merhav Am: Desert Landscape and Hiking Trail

Merhav Am lies between Sde Boker and Yeroham, opposite the Halukim Ridge and in the heart of a desert landscape. The community was founded in November 2001. This gives the choice of a holiday apartment or holiday home a clear profile: desert surroundings, recent local history, and a hiking trail that starts here.

Khan Merhav Am: Terrace with Valley Views

At Khan Merhav Am, coffee or hot tea and a variety of dishes are served on a terrace overlooking the Sde Boker Valley. This combines a specific food offering with a named landscape view. For trip planning, this offers different options: hiking as an active pursuit and the Khan terrace as a place to enjoy food with valley views.

The Mount Negev Hiking Trail

The Mount Negev hiking trail starts in Merhav Am and ends in Mitzpe Ramon. According to the description, the trail is also suitable for beginners and families with small children. This information can help you choose a possible hike. Since the start and finish are in different places, take the endpoint into account when planning your route and day, as well as the start in Merhav Am. Before setting out, check the latest local directions and trail conditions.

When choosing a holiday apartment in Merhav Am, the local highlights can be seen as different focal points: the desert setting shapes the scenery, the hiking trail starts in the community and ends in Mitzpe Ramon, while the Khan terrace and food offer a culinary connection.

More topics in the wider destination of the Southern District

The wider destination of the Southern District offers other distinct themes for nature and culture enthusiasts. Avdat National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site along the route of the ancient Incense Route in the Negev Highlands. Masada stands as a symbol of the ancient Kingdom of Israel, its violent destruction, and the final resistance of Jewish patriots against the Roman army in 73 AD. The remains of Herod’s palaces are also preserved there, along with intact Roman siege works that rank among the most complete of their kind in the Roman world.

Ein Gedi Nature Reserve brings a different landscape into view. It includes Israel’s largest oasis, with springs and waterfalls, ibex and rock hyraxes, and flowing streams. A hiking trail follows the perennial Nahal Arugot to a hidden waterfall and pools in its upper reaches. Compared with Merhav Am’s desert landscape, Ein Gedi is a distinctly water-focused nature destination in the Southern District.

Besor Park (Eshkol) in the Southern District also offers a different natural setting. It lies on the river’s eastern bank at the Ein Besor spring and is an oasis with extensive lawns, picnic facilities, and children’s playgrounds. There are also signed cycling routes and a disc golf course.

Discover more destinations

Sapir, Maslul, Mashabei Sadeh, Zuqim, Beersheba, Mitzpe Ramon, Ashdod, Be’er Ora

Back to the wider travel overview: Southern District.