Timna Park, the desert gem in the southern Arava, is preparing for the upcoming hiking season with a large-scale project recently completed - a renewed trail system featuring circular routes for the whole family and the “Timna Loop” trail, approximately 24 kilometers long.
The park, located near Eilat, offers visitors a unique experience of nature and heritage: Breathtaking viewpoints, rare geological formations, ancient copper mines, ancient rock paintings, and the display of the purple cloth - the rare archaeological find from the time of the Kingdom of David and Solomon.
A True Gift for Hikers
“The story of Timna Park, as revealed to us through the discovery of the purple cloth, invites an important connection between the region and Israel’s heritage,” said Sagie Raz, CEO of Timna Park. “Alongside the experience at the visitor center, hikers can now enjoy trails for all levels. This has been a multi-year process in collaboration with the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel and the Israel Nature and Parks Authority, and the result is a true gift for the public.”
As part of the planning process, a new trail map was developed, including all marked trails, difficulty levels, points of interest, and the “Timna Loop” trail. Itzik Ben-Dov, trail marking coordinator at the Society for the Protection of Nature, explains that the goal was to allow visitors to enjoy a variety of landscapes and sites, create a wide range of routes, and increase the number of circular trails.
“Timna Park is like a candy store for hikers, who will find it hard to choose which trail to take and which sites to visit,” adds Ben-Dov. “The trail planning process combined an understanding of hikers’ needs with nature preservation, and the result is a flexible and diverse trail system.”
A Paradise for Cyclists
The park also offers approximately 70 kilometers of dedicated cycling trails in collaboration with the Eilot Regional Economic Company, the Tourism Ministry, and the Jewish National Fund. Ron Bernstein, a tour guide at the park, notes additional innovations such as circular routes starting from the Copper Lake, two new ascents to Timna Mountain, and Nahal Mangan - a new trail around the mining mountain.
Shavit Sa’ar Waxler, chair of the Israel Trail Committee at the Society for the Protection of Nature, concludes: “The goal is to provide the public with a diverse and accessible hiking experience while preserving nature values and ensuring hikers’ safety. Our vision is to allow every hiker - family or individual - to find the trail that suits them and enjoy the Israeli nature.”