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yankale · Site Admin Joined: 27 Oct 2008 Posts: 54

The army is restricting from time to time hiking in Wadi Gishron along the Egyptian border. This is due to smugglers and other security issues in the area.

These restrictions apply ONLY in the last hiking day near Eilat or your first day if you hike in a South to North direction (Map 67).

During the third week of October 08 hikers where prohibited to camp out west of Mount Shelomo, Mt. Yehoshafat and Mt. Rehav'am (Map 67).

February 09: Hiking from Taba to Netafim is temporarily prohibited.
Use the alternatives for the last (or first ) day described in the guide [Days 1a or 1b, 51s(a)] or the alternative provided below.

For real time updates contact the army at: 08-9902927 or 08-6302210.

yankale · Site Admin Joined: 27 Oct 2008 Posts: 54

The guide includes an alternative for day 51s which is day 51s(a) on page 129. An alternative for the first day when hiking from Eilat north is on page 42 day 1b.

Here is one more alternative for the last day in case Nahal (wadi) Gishron is closed by the army. This is probably the best option if you want to end the INT on the Red sea shore. However if the army does not allow hiking west of route 12, use the alternatives in the guide.

Take the route described on page 129 day 51s(a). Climb to Mt. Shelomo. From Mt. Shelomo go back north and down for about 200 meters the same way you've climbed Mt. Shelomo.

When you arrive back to the black trail make a left turn south and continue on the blue trail south. A red trail joins from the north. Continue south on the blue trail for about one km until you reach route 12. The blue trail ends and a red trail starts here. Hike south on the red trail along route 12 and then make a slight turn right into Wadi Shelomo and continue south on the red trail for approx. 7 km (4.5 miles) until you've reached the Red sea shore.

Starting in Eilat: Take the opposite route. Here is the map of the alternative hike:

Click to see full size image