Desert sites near Ma'ale Adumim

Ma'ale Adumim is on the edge of the Judean Desert, so some of Israel's best-known desert sites are a short drive away. Distances below are straight-line from the city centre; driving distances are longer.

Before you go

• Book ahead. Since 1 January 2026 the Nature and Parks Authority (INPA) admits visitors to many sites, including the Good Samaritan, Ein Prat and Ein Mabua, only with advance registration on its website. Source (opens in a new tab)
• Heat and floods. INPA closes the Nahal Prat trails on extreme-heat and flood-risk days. In winter, flash floods are a danger in all desert canyons; do not walk in or cross wadi beds when floods are likely. Source (opens in a new tab)
• Entry closes an hour before closing time at INPA sites; winter closing is 16:00 (15:00 on Fridays).
• Modest dress (covered shoulders, below-knee trousers or skirts) is required at monasteries.

In and right next to the city

• Martyrius Monastery (inside Ma'ale Adumim) and Euthymius Monastery (Mishor Adumim): Byzantine monastery remains. Entry is for groups only, by reservation through the Good Samaritan site. Source (opens in a new tab)
• Good Samaritan Museum (on Route 1, about 7 km east): Byzantine mosaics in a restored Ottoman inn, with a wing on the Samaritan community. Adults 24 NIS, children 10 NIS. On 23 and 24 October 2026 at 11:00 INPA runs three-hour family tours that continue by private car to Euthymius and Martyrius, free with the entry ticket. Source (opens in a new tab), tour (opens in a new tab)
• Moshe Castel Museum of Art (in the city): Sun, Mon, Tue, Thu 10:00-16:00, Wed 12:00-20:00. Source (opens in a new tab)

Nahal Prat (Wadi Qelt), 6-10 km north-east

• Ein Prat, reached from French Hill via Road 437 towards Almon (Anatot): a spring in a canyon with the Tamar bathing pool, picnic area and the Faran monastery (visits by arrangement). Source (opens in a new tab)
• Ein Mabua, reached from the Alon road past Kfar Adumim: a pulsing spring that reopened on 1 July 2026, free with advance registration. Source (opens in a new tab)
• Closures (checked 9 October 2026): because of pollution in the stream, the Nahal Michmas black trail (8129), the green trail 8130 from Chanyon HaTzinorot to Ein Mabua and the blue trail 8127 from Ein Mabua to Ein Qelt are closed, and you may not enter the water on part of trail 8130. St George's Monastery can be reached only by the green trail 8105 along the aqueduct; walking in the stream bed beyond that point is forbidden. Source (opens in a new tab)

A few kilometres further

• Genesis Land near Alon (about 8 km): a biblical-themed farm with camel rides and "Abraham's tent", mainly for booked groups. Source (opens in a new tab)
• Herodium (about 13 km south, by road via Har Homa and Road 398): Herod's hilltop palace-fortress and tomb area. Guided tours Fri and Sat at 12:00. Source (opens in a new tab)

Down to the Dead Sea (16-25 km east)

Take Route 1 east, down past sea level, to Road 90.

• Beaches: Kalia (summer 08:00-18:30, winter 08:00-17:00), Biankini and Neve Midbar (both 09:00-18:00) are paid, declared beaches about 25 minutes' drive from Jerusalem. Kalia (opens in a new tab), Biankini (opens in a new tab), Neve Midbar (opens in a new tab)
• Qumran National Park (turn west at Kalia): the settlement linked to the Dead Sea Scrolls, with a film and museum. Adults 31 NIS. Source (opens in a new tab)
• Einot Tzukim (Ein Feshkha), 3 km south of Kalia: spring-fed pools and a visitor centre; no access to the Dead Sea from the reserve. Source (opens in a new tab)
• Qasr al-Yahud: the Jordan River baptism site, about 5 km north of the Route 1/Road 90 junction. Source (opens in a new tab)

Further south (a full day)

• Ein Gedi Nature Reserve (about 38 km): after flood damage in May, only the accessible path to the first waterfall in Wadi David is open; check with INPA (*3639) first. Source (opens in a new tab)
• Masada (about 52 km): in hot weather the Snake Path's last ascent can be as early as 07:00. Source (opens in a new tab)

On a hot day

When the reserves close for heat, families use the Kass Splash indoor water park in Mishor Adumim and the city's heated country-club pools. Source (opens in a new tab)