A protected nature reserve covering the dramatic desert hills immediately north and west of Eilat. The landscape is striking: deep canyons of rust-coloured sandstone and pink granite, dry riverbeds lined with acacia trees, and ridgelines that give long views across the Gulf of Aqaba toward Jordan and Saudi Arabia. Several marked hiking trails cross the reserve, ranging from easy valley walks to strenuous ridge routes.
The most accessible trail is the Red Canyon walk, about 40 minutes from the city, a short route through a narrow slot canyon with walls that glow orange and red in morning light. More serious hikers head to Mount Shlomo or the multi-day trail that connects Eilat to Timna Park. The reserve is also an important bird migration corridor — spring and autumn bring enormous numbers of raptors, storks, and small passerines funnelled through this narrow land bridge between Africa and Asia.
Bring water and start early: the desert heat becomes serious from around 10am in summer. Guided tours are available from Eilat's tourist offices and are worth considering for navigating the wilder sections.