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Distance: 13 km, 4-5 hr. Altitude range: 204 m. Total climb: 244 m. Total descent: 299 m. Grade: easy-medium.
Starting on the gravel road (12.3 km south of Mitzpe Ramon along route #40), hike towards the Gevanim Night Camp. From the camp follow the gravel road north for about 100 m until you reach the trail that leads east/right towards the Ein Saharonim oasis. Going south from the oasis, just follow the marked trail left around the horse shoe until you have circled it and are back at the oasis. On the way you will see "cave" right underneath a huge rock half way and the Mezad Saharonim (Khan Srnim) ruins just before the oasis. Afterwards going south again before the end of the short oasis, a marked trail lead right/west up to the ridge of Mt. Saharonim. Down from here you will reach the Gevanim Night Camp again (where you might want to stay) and later, along the same gravel road you came in, the highway #40.
Start such that you will finish the trail at the Golden Hour, having a marvellous view from the ridge of Mt. Saharonim into the Ramon Crater.
The largest ancient Nabataean city in the Negev, now a national park.
Another Nabatean city, but in a much worse state of preservation.
Ruins of a Byzantine-period synagogue with a beautiful mosaic floor.
Sobota
An archaeological site with impressive Byzantine remains of a city in the heart of the desert, where usually there are no natural water sources around – astonishing churches, homes and streets. Many interesting details about the site can be found on the park official website. The location is quite remote – a long drive, and the closest bus stop is 5 km away.
Ruins of the Byzantine city Futis (Φώτις).