Wadi Bokek – Water Trail by the Dead Sea – Visitors Guide

Wadi Bokek offers a short water trail by the Dead Sea. This easy hike offers water, greenery, and waterfalls. Perfect for hot days.

Map

Wadi Bokek is located near the Hotel’s area at Ein Bokek, close to the Dead Sea. You can use the Waze and Google Maps links below.

Directions for drivers: Link to Waze and Link to Google Maps
Directions for public transport: Link to Moovit

Interactive map of the area:

Parking

There is a new free parking lot by road #90. This parking lot is located by Bokek Castle, and there is also a gas station and a restaurant. Here are several photos from the parking:

Entrance Fee

Free.

Opening Hours

Wadi Bokek is part of the Judean Desert Nature Reserve. According to the following sign, hiking at night is forbidden. Thus, visit only during daylight.

Trails

There are various tracks at Bokek. In this article, we will focus on the short Wadi Bokek trail, which is the most popular one.

Here is an interactive map from israelhiking.osm.org.il where the short trail is marked:

The length of the trail is 2.3 km and has a total climb and descent of 142 meters. You use the black trail to reach the waterfall and return using the same path.

Rules Of Conduct

Here are several additional rules from the sign above:

– Do not harm flora, fauna, or inanimate objects.
– Hiking trails are for fit hikers only. Group leaders must have a recent 1:50,000 trail map.
– Use only marked paths and roads. Bicycles are prohibited on trails intended for walkers.
– Dogs are not allowed on the trail!
– Do not go near the cliff edge. Be careful of falling and rolling stones.
– Do not move through the reserve at night. Overnight stays are allowed at authorized campsites.
– Rappelling and cliff-climbing are prohibited except at authorized places.
– Carry 5 liters of water per person per day. Do not depend on natural water sources for drinking. Wear good walking shoes and a hat.
– Flooding is a danger in winter, spring and fall. Follow weather reports and do not walk in streambeds or cross them in cloudy weather.
– Do not enter water except at authorized places and according to instructions on signs at the site.
– Lighting fires is prohibited except in designated campgrounds. Burn wood that was brought from outside the reserve, not dry vegetation. Never leave a live fire or burning coals.
– Keep the area clean. Do not bury or burn garbage; take your garbage out with you.
– Do not leave valuables in your vehicle.
– We recommend leaving written notice of your intended route, schedule, and the number of people in your group.
– Do not hike through military firing zones without proper authorization from the army.
– Hike at your own risk.

Judean Desert Nature Reserve

The Judean Desert is a rainshadow desert. Precipitation is meager here, up to 100 mm in a rainy year. The average temperature in August soars to 43.8 Celsius. The streambeds are dry, but stormy flash floods can occur in transition seasons and winter. Only animals and plants adapted to these harsh climate conditions can survive in the desert.

Source: sign

When To Visit?

Flooding is a danger in winter, spring, and fall. Hence, check weather reports and do not hike in cloudy weather. Moreover, since this is a water hike, the water will probably be too cold in the winter and it will be too hot in the summer. Hence, spring and fall are the best seasons.

Also, since this is a popular trail, during holidays and vacations, visit early or later in the afternoon. If you start hiking at 11:00, then there will be kids at all the pools.

Short Wadi Bokek Trail

The trail starts as a dry path, and after several minutes, you will be walking in the water. The water is not deep (ankle level), but nonetheless, I recommend water shoes and swimsuits for kids.

Note: During the hike at Wadi Arugot, the glue on my regular sandals did not hold, and I had to buy a new pair. Hence, I strongly suggest water shoes, and most stores by the Dead Sea sell them.

Here are several photos from the first section of the trail:

One of the benefits of the first part of this trail is that it is mostly shady. Also, as you can see from the photos, it is an easy path, and my four-year-old daughter easily completed it by herself.

The trail continues through terrain with more rocks, but at this point, it is still an easy hike.