Condensed from ARBA-ONOT magazine – January 2008               

In recent years the number of Israelis who "vote with their pedals" has been consistently growing; they are buying bicycles and going out to tour the country's pathways.  You can see them every weekend.  Men, women and entire families – cycling through forests, fields and suburbs, pedaling joyfully along cycling routes newly marked on maps.  More and more new cycling routes are being prepared every year in open spaces and familiar cycling routes paths are being designated as such even within cities.  There is no better way to get as close to nature as possible, while having a good work-out at the same time.

In winter, the Negev is more beautiful than ever.  This year, the amount of rainfall, although less than average, brought forth an abundance of blossoms; and on our southbound journey we can see anemones, daffodils, tulips and irises, among others.  Every third car on the road seems to be equipped with a bike carrier, on the way to the longest "singles route" in the country – at Be'eri – or to the amazing Judean Desert or the Negev highlands.

Just so that you don't feel left out, we have included some of the more interesting routes suitable for families -  created for for easy cycling, with a relaxing picnic site on the way, in the Negev's desert landscape.

A total of 70 kilometers of biking paths have been paved by the regional council in the Negev highlands area, specialized cycling routes that have been marked out according to the standards set by the IMBA (International Mountain Biking Association).  Join us at one of the most beautiful and interesting. Every year, during January and February, daffodils bloom in the Hatsatz River channel, adding color and fragrance to this desert gully. 

How does the daffodil, "king of the swamp" that we associate with heavy rainfall, grow in the desert?  The answer is clear to anyone who visits the Hatsatz River.  Daffodils take advantage of small hollows that hold water and of the rocky river bed here, so now is the time to experience these blooms first hand.

         THE NEGEV HIGHLANDS: TO THE DAFFODILS ALONG THE HATSATZ RIVER

    Route:  Circular, beginning and ending at the Sde Boker Academy.

Length of the Route:  Twenty-two kilometers.

Level of Difficulty:  Easy.

Map:  Trail marked map number 17, Northern Negev, west side.

Leave the academy, cross the Zin plain, cycling on a dirt road that skirts the feeding station and climbs up towards Mount Tsror.  This route continues down to one of the streambeds that joins with the river, then climbs and descends again to the Hatsatz River, to a trail marked in black.  Turn right onto this trail and continue for about 1.5 kilometers, up to the point where the river bed closes in, with the daffodils blooming further away.  Return along the dirt path leading to the Hatsatz pits and immediately afterwards leave this path for the road leading to Merchav-Am and join the dirt road that goes south of the Shepherds' Dam and continues in the general direction of Kibbutz Sde-Boker.

         CENTRAL ARAVA - CHALKY SOIL BEDS

    Route:  Circular, beginning and ending at Moshav Idan, the northernmost moshav in the central Arava.

Length of the Route:  Fifteen kilometers.

Level of Difficulty:  Easy.

Map:  Trail marked map number 14, central Arava and eastern Negev highlands.

Note:  This route is marked with numbers all along the trail.

From the starting point on a paved road at the entrance to the moshav, cycle into the moshav, passing the packing house and leaving it via the eastern gate.  Continue down the road eastward, on a winding road towards the Arava River, being careful as this is also an approach road for tractors and motor vehicles.  At the point marked with the number 5, turn left onto a dirt road to the chalky soil beds.  After a few minutes, there is a magnificent view to the east of the mountains of Edom with the Arava River and to the west, of chalky soil beds. 

Stop at number 7, a viewpoint overlooking the Idan reservoir, which collects flood waters and then continue along the dirt road – a steep winding descent – towards the reservoir and the Arava River.  Cycle around Moshav Idan's fields, joining a paved road  - again being mindful of tractors and cars.  At the point marked number 15, you have reach the Hazeva reservoir, a fascinating sight in winter, when the reservoirs are filling and a great place for another lookout stop.  Afterwards, cycle up towards the Shalom Road with chalky soil beds, joining it at point number 18 and return to the starting point at Moshav Idan.