Nahal Ashalim

The route runs through Nahal Azgad and Nahal Ashalim, desert streams that drain into the Dead Sea. It is a long, full day in which the gvim, the water pools left behind by winter floods, are both the main experience and the main challenge.

Some pools are deep and can only be crossed by swimming, bags and all, so every participant must be able to swim. Difficulty is moderate to hard, mostly because of the length and the water crossings. There are no planned rappels.

Water levels change from year to year and depend on the last flood. In season the stream is busy with hikers, and an early start matters if you want to finish in daylight.

נפגשים בחניון לילה עמיעז בהר סדום (דרום ים המלח).

The usual meeting point is the Amiaz overnight campsite at Har Sedom, at the southern Dead Sea. No parking point at the start of the route is recorded.

Parking at the Mishor Amiaz night campsite, where the loop starts and ends.

Deep pools that can only be crossed by swimming, so swimming is a must. The route is long: start early so you are not caught by darkness. This is a desert stream; do not enter when rain is forecast in the area or upstream, because of flash flood risk. The Israel Nature and Parks Authority sets an age limit and requires an adult escort for each child.

שיטפון אחרון בנחל - 14/11/25 (נכון לפבי 26 גבים מלאים ועמוקים)

Suits fit groups of teenagers and adults who swim well. The right season is spring, after the winter floods. Before you go, check when the last flood was and what state the pools are in.

A dry bag or sealed box for anything that must not get wet (food, phone, keys), since you swim with your bags. A lycra top or wetsuit for the wet section, and a first aid kit. No rappelling gear is needed, but the guide carries a rope just in case.