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Polaroid of the Week: Trekking the Majestic Negev Desert on Israel's National Trail

Polaroid of the Week: Trekking the Majestic Negev Desert on Israel s National TrailLast week, I arrived in Israel and dove straight into the National Israel Trail. After one night in Tel Aviv, our group drove south to the heart of the Negev Desert, where we were dropped off to hike solo for days, unlikely to encounter another soul.

The journey began tougher than expected—the midday sun blazed without shade, intensifying the heat. Yet, the stark beauty of the barren ocher landscape captivated me. I relished hours of walking over sand and rocks, amid a vast expanse devoid of trees or life.

On day one, we traversed Makhtesh Katan, a petite erosion-formed crater unique to the Negev—not a meteor impact. This phenomenon yields three grand craters resembling impact sites from their rims, spanning 5km to 40km wide. Our route covered the full length of the small one and sections of a larger.

Foregoing tents, we slept under a star-filled sky—a magical experience, even for this non-camper.

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