Ein Gedi is a lush oasis nature reserve clinging to the cliffs above the Dead Sea, about 90 km southeast of Jerusalem. The contrast with the surrounding desert is dramatic: springs feed waterfalls, ibex pick their way along rocky ledges, and hyraxes sun themselves on the boulders.
The most popular trail follows Wadi David to David's Waterfall — an easy hour's walk with a rewarding payoff. A second trail through Wadi Arugot reaches a larger falls in a narrower canyon. Both trails are well marked within the Ein Gedi Nature Reserve. Arrive early; the reserve gets crowded mid-morning and can be very hot by midday.
The former Ein Gedi Spa on the Dead Sea shore is now closed, a casualty of the Dead Sea sinkholes that have formed as the sea retreats. The Ein Gedi Kibbutz botanical garden is still open and contains over 900 plant species. The kibbutz also has a guesthouse and a restaurant.
Between the wadi entrances, the Ein Gedi archaeological site preserves the ruins of a Byzantine synagogue with a remarkable mosaic floor. For serious walkers, the Cave of Letters in Nahal Hever — where letters of Bar Kokhba were found during the second Jewish revolt — is a strenuous half-day hike from the plateau.