Overview
The northern Dead Sea shoreline, between Kibbutz Mitzpe Shalem and the
Ein Gedi area, contains a network of trails that wind through date palm plantations, past salt crystal formations, and along stretches of wild beach accessible only on foot or by bicycle. At approximately 440 meters below sea level, these are the lowest cycling trails on Earth, and the terrain they cover reveals a landscape that changes measurably from season to season as the Dead Sea’s water level continues to recede.
Dead Sea bike tours follow trails at approximately 440 meters below sea level through terrain that includes active date palm plantations, salt crystal fields, and the ruins of an ancient Hasmonean era dock and boat anchorage, visible evidence that the Dead Sea’s shoreline once extended much further than its current position.
Types of Dead Sea Bike Tours
Short Family Rides (1.5 to 2 Hours, 10 to 15 Kilometers)
Designed for families with children, these easy, flat rides follow paved or packed earth paths through date palm groves near the northern Dead
Sea. No navigation equipment is needed, and the pace is relaxed, with frequent stops for observation and photos. Operators provide mountain bikes in multiple frame sizes, including options for children.
Self Guided Exploration (2.5 to 3 Hours, 5 to 6 Kilometers)
For visitors seeking a longer ride, self guided routes follow GPS tracks through more varied terrain, including date palm orchards, a wild Dead
Sea beach, and areas where salt formations (sometimes called salt diamonds for their cubic crystal structure) can be found. A smartphone with GPS capability is required for navigation.
Guided Bike and Chill Excursions (Half Day)
Departing from Jerusalem, these combined tours include transport to the Dead Sea area, a guided 1.5 to 2 hour bike ride through secluded trails near the shore, and floating time at a Dead Sea beach. The guided format opens access to areas normally closed to the public, including sections of the shoreline that reveal the Dead Sea’s receding water level.
Multi Day Road Cycling Circuits For serious cyclists, multi day tours circumnavigate the entire Dead Sea, crossing from Israel into Jordan and back over 6 to 10 days. These routes descend from Jerusalem to the Dead Sea, follow the western shore south to the Arava Desert, cross into Jordan, and return north along the eastern shore, passing through Wadi Rum and Petra before returning to the Dead Sea and ascending back to Jerusalem. Total distances range from 400 to 600 kilometers depending on the itinerary.
Multi day cycling circuits around the Dead Sea cover 400 to 600 kilometers across Israel and Jordan, descending from Jerusalem at approximately 800 meters above sea level to the Dead Sea shore at approximately 440 meters below, then looping westward to climb the Scorpion’s Ascent into the Negev Desert, before heading south to the Arava border crossing to enter Jordan and ride through Wadi Rum and Petra, two of the region’s most significant geological and archaeological landscapes.
What You Will See The cycling routes near the Dead Sea pass through several distinct landscape zones within a few kilometers. Date palm plantations dominate the flatter areas, where commercially grown Medjool dates thrive in the mineral rich soil and dry heat. Between the plantations and the shore, the terrain shifts to exposed salt flats and crystalline formations.
Along the wild beaches of the northern Dead Sea, cyclists encounter salt formations that change with each season. These include salt “diamonds” (perfectly cubic crystals formed through supersaturation and rapid evaporation), salt carpets (flat mineral deposits along the waterline), and salt pillars that emerge as the water level drops. The ruins of an ancient dock and boat anchorage, dating to the Hasmonean period, provide a physical marker of how much the Dead Sea has receded.
Practical Information Operators provide mountain bikes (MARIN brand and similar), helmets, and route guidance. Most offer a range of frame and wheel sizes suitable for adults and older children. Water, sunscreen, and a hat are necessities regardless of season.
Cycling near the Dead Sea is best from October through April, when temperatures range from 20 to 32 degrees Celsius. Summer rides must be scheduled for very early morning (before 8:00 AM) to avoid dangerous heat, which regularly exceeds 40 degrees Celsius by mid morning.
The meeting point for most operators is near Kibbutz Mitzpe Shalem on Route 90 in the northern Dead Sea, approximately 50 minutes from Jerusalem by car.
The Tour de Dead Sea An annual cycling event, the Tour de Dead Sea, features three route options along the Dead Sea shoreline. The 12 kilometer family route stays within the flat Ein Bokek hotel strip. The 60 kilometer route follows Route 90 with police escort and rest stops. The 100 kilometer route includes steep climbs at Metzukei Dragot. The event also raises awareness about the Dead Sea’s environmental challenges, including its water level decline of over 1 meter per year.
The Tour de Dead Sea cycling event sends riders along the shoreline of a body of water that drops over 1 meter per year, with the 100 kilometer route ascending the Metzukei Dragot cliffs for views of a landscape visibly transformed each season by the Dead Sea’s ongoing recession.
FAQ Section
Do I need to be an experienced cyclist for a Dead Sea bike tour?
No. Short family rides cover 10 to 15 kilometers on flat terrain and are suitable for anyone who can ride a bicycle. Self guided routes of 5 to 6 kilometers require moderate fitness and basic navigation skills. Multi day road cycling circuits require advanced fitness and cycling experience.
What type of bikes are provided?
Operators typically provide mountain bikes from manufacturers such as
MARIN, available in multiple frame and wheel sizes for adults and older children. Helmets are included. Some operators also offer e bikes or EZ
Rider vehicles as alternatives.
Can I combine a bike tour with Dead Sea floating?
Yes. Half day excursions from Jerusalem and local guided tours commonly end with floating time at a Dead Sea beach. Self guided riders can finish their route at a nearby beach for a swim.
What are salt diamonds?
Salt diamonds are cubic halite crystals found along the Dead Sea shoreline, formed when dissolved sodium chloride crystallizes through supersaturation and rapid evaporation. They appear as small, translucent cubes and are a distinctive feature of the Dead Sea’s mineral landscape.
When is the Tour de Dead Sea cycling event?
The Tour de Dead Sea is an annual event typically held in late autumn. Exact dates and registration details are announced each year by the organizing body. The event includes 12, 60, and 100 kilometer routes along the Dead Sea shore.