Ein Gedi — Wadi David Trail
עין גדי — נחל דוד
Ein Gedi is a lush desert oasis on the western shore of the Dead Sea, and the Wadi David trail is its most popular hike. The trail follows a stream through a narrow canyon, passing waterfalls, natural pools, and dense vegetation — a striking contrast to the barren desert surrounding it. This is where David hid from King Saul (1 Samuel 24), and ibex and hyrax are commonly spotted along the path.
Mboesch (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Mboesch (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Distance
3.5 km
Duration
2-3 hours
Elevation Gain
200m
Highest Point
-250m
Lowest Point
-390m
Type
Loop
Best Season
Year-round (hot in summer)
Trail Marks
green
Getting There
Parking
Ein Gedi Nature Reserve Parking, Route 90
Trailhead
Wadi David Entrance Gate
P = Parking T = Trailhead | View full Israel trail map
Trail Highlights
- David's Waterfall — the main 30-meter cascade
- Natural swimming pools in the desert
- Wildlife: Nubian ibex, hyrax, and Ein Gedi's unique flora
- Dodim Cave (Lovers' Cave) above the falls
- Views over the Dead Sea
The Oasis in the Wilderness
Ein Gedi exists because of a geological miracle: freshwater springs emerging from the Judean Desert cliffs at the lowest place on Earth. The springs feed year-round streams that have created a lush canyon ecosystem where tropical plants like Sodom's apple (Calotropis procera) and acacia trees grow alongside more temperate species. The contrast is stunning — bare, sun-scorched desert cliffs rising hundreds of meters above a green ribbon of life. This oasis has drawn people for thousands of years, from prehistoric humans to the biblical David fleeing King Saul.
David and Saul at Ein Gedi
The caves above Ein Gedi are where one of the Bible's most dramatic episodes took place. David, on the run from jealous King Saul, was hiding in a cave when Saul entered it to relieve himself — not realizing David was there. David crept up and cut off a corner of Saul's robe but refused to harm the king, saying, 'The Lord forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the Lord's anointed' (1 Samuel 24:6). He later showed Saul the cloth to prove his loyalty. This act of restraint is one of the most celebrated moments of David's character in Jewish tradition.
Wildlife of the Desert Oasis
Ein Gedi is home to Israel's most impressive wild animal: the Nubian ibex, a magnificent desert-adapted wild goat with long, ridged curving horns. Herds of ibex graze on the cliffs and come down to the streams to drink, often walking within meters of hikers. Rock hyraxes — small, rounded mammals that are surprisingly the elephant's closest living relative — sun themselves on boulders near the trailhead. The reserve also shelters a small population of Arabian leopards, though these elusive cats are rarely seen. Over 200 bird species have been recorded, including Tristram's starling and Bonelli's eagle.
Practical Information
Water
Available at entrance
Permits
National park entrance fee
Best Season
Year-round (hot in summer)
Trail Marks
green
In the Torah
What Does the Torah Say About This Place?
Biblical references near Ein Gedi — Wadi David Trail
The Valley of Siddim — which is the Salt Sea
כׇּל־אֵ֙לֶּה֙ חָֽבְר֔וּ אֶל־עֵ֖מֶק הַשִּׂדִּ֑ים ה֖וּא יָ֥ם הַמֶּֽלַח׃
all the latter joined forces at the Valley of Siddim, now the Dead Sea.aDead Sea Heb. “Salt Sea.”
The Lord rains brimstone and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah
וַֽיהֹוָ֗ה הִמְטִ֧יר עַל־סְדֹ֛ם וְעַל־עֲמֹרָ֖ה גׇּפְרִ֣ית וָאֵ֑שׁ מֵאֵ֥ת יְהֹוָ֖ה מִן־הַשָּׁמָֽיִם׃
GOD rained upon Sodom and Gomorrah sulfurous fire from GOD out of heaven—
Lot's wife looks back and becomes a pillar of salt
וַתַּבֵּ֥ט אִשְׁתּ֖וֹ מֵאַחֲרָ֑יו וַתְּהִ֖י נְצִ֥יב מֶֽלַח׃
Lot’sgLot’s Lit. “His.” wife looked back,hback Lit. “behind him.” and she thereupon turned into a pillar of salt.
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