Three months after an extraordinary flood event that struck the Ein Gedi Nature Reserve, the Nature and Parks Authority announced that the Arugot Stream hiking trails will reopen.
The reserve underwent extensive restoration over the past three months following an exceptionally severe flood in May of this year. At the beginning of July, the authority partially reopened the short trail in Arugot Stream, and now the remaining trails in the stream are open again up to the upper pools.
The trail layout has changed slightly due to the major flood, but it will still allow hikers to enjoy the cool stream waters. Visitors to the reserve can now enjoy a short trail along David Stream that reaches the first pool, an accessible trail from the ancient synagogue in Ein Gedi, as well as all the Arugot Stream trails.
“Not an Easy Task”
Eden Uliel, Arava Region Manager at the Nature and Parks Authority, notes: “Arugot Stream has been fully reopened along all its trails. All hiking infrastructure has been repaired, restored, and checked for safety and geological stability. It was not an easy task.”
Dr. Amir Givati, Director of the Meteorological Service, explains that on May 4, 2025, “extremely unusual rainfall intensities were recorded in the Ein Gedi area. The intensities in the David and Arugot Stream basins were exceptional even compared to past events: Over 30 mm in just 10 minutes. The probability of such high intensities occurring in Arugot Stream ranges between 0.5–1%, meaning once every 100 to 200 years.”
Trail Changes
The Arugot Stream trails are now open and appear slightly different from before. The first pools along the trail are deeper, and the path to them is suitable for everyone. The trail continuing from the first pools is marked for experienced hikers. The upper pools have dried out and currently contain no water due to terrain changes caused by the flood.
The authority emphasizes that due to extreme heat, all the trail inclines in the reserve will remain closed until September. The entrance fee for Arugot Stream will return to the legally fixed rate, while entry to the David Stream area will remain at a 25% discount.
In 2024, approximately 318,000 visitors came to the reserve, compared to about 700,000 in 2019, which was the record year for total visitors including incoming tourism.