Sde Tzvi: Nature and Trails in the Surrounding Area

The 12th Point is located in Sde Tzvi in the northern Negev, not far from Route 6. Sde Tzvi is therefore the specific geographic reference point for a trip to this landscape. Nearby, different interests come together: nature reserves with easy walking trails, agricultural farms offering pick-your-own tours, and a landscape shaped by the seasons. This gives you a guide that ranges from the specific location to the themes of the surrounding area.

Trails and Seasonal Landscapes in the Surrounding Area

Easy walking trails can be found in the nature reserves around Nahal Grar, Nahal Shikma, and Nahal Besor. Agricultural farms in the northern Negev also invite visitors to take part in pick-your-own tours. This gives you a choice between different kinds of activities: an easy walk in a nature reserve or a tour of an agricultural farm. If you plan your trip around the experience you want, this difference is a useful starting point for comparison.

The nearby Ruhama Badlands Nature Reserve adds a seasonal highlight. It is known for its green slopes in winter and carpets of red anemones during the Anemone Festival in February. This adds a specific seasonal landscape to the walking trails. At Ruhama, the seasonal slopes and anemones are the defining feature, while the Nahal areas are associated with easy walking trails.

The Southern District in a Broader Context

The broader Southern District destination includes other natural and historical highlights. Avdat National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site along the route of the ancient Incense Road in the Negev Highlands. Masada is a symbol of the ancient Kingdom of Israel, its violent destruction, and the last stand of Jewish patriots against the Roman army in 73 CE. Masada also preserves the remains of Herod’s palaces, as well as intact Roman siege works that are among the most complete of their kind in the Roman world.

Nature in the broader Southern District destination is also shaped by other landscapes. The Ein Gedi Nature Reserve includes Israel’s largest oasis, with springs and waterfalls, ibex and rock hyraxes, as well as flowing streams. A trail in the reserve follows Nahal Arugot, which flows year-round, to a hidden waterfall and pools in the upper reaches.

In the Southern District, the visitor center at the Ramon Crater combines the life story of Israel’s first astronaut, Lieutenant Colonel Ilan Ramon, with an introduction to the world’s largest crater and its unique natural phenomena. The scale is important when deciding on your trip: the options near Sde Tzvi offer walks, seasonal nature, and pick-your-own tours; the broader Southern District adds historical sites, oasis landscapes, and the Ramon Crater. In the Southern District, Besor Park (Eshkol) has signposted cycling trails and a disc golf course. Check the current status of these activities before your visit.

Discover more destinations: Ya'ara, Maagan, Nov, Rishon LeZion, Naham, Nir Akiva, Sitria, Ma'ayan Baruch.

For the broader travel overview: Israel.