Ein Gedi Nature Reserve Reopens Popular David Stream Trail After Flood Damage

The lower section of the David Stream trail in Israel's Ein Gedi Nature Reserve will reopen to the public on Sunday, just in time for the intermediate days of the Sukkot holiday. This marks the final segment of the popular hiking route to be accessible again, following extensive damage from an unusual flash flood over a year ago. Visitors will once again be able to hike to the David Waterfall for the first time since May 2025.

The rehabilitation of the trail and its infrastructure cost approximately 7 million shekels. While the path to the waterfall is now open, a key restriction remains: swimming in the pool at the base of the David Waterfall will continue to be prohibited due to the risk of falling rocks, a hazard that existed even before the flood. The flood also altered the stream's landscape, filling in pools with sediment and making them shallower than before.

The flash flood occurred on May 4, 2025, when about 30 millimeters of rain fell in a short period, causing strong currents that washed away paths, damaged infrastructure like stairs and bridges, and covered parts of the reserve with debris. The reserve's entrance, restrooms, and protective fencing also sustained significant damage.

The Israel Nature and Parks Authority has been working on the reserve's restoration since the event. This involved clearing sediment and waste, rebuilding paths and support walls, installing railings, and repairing damaged infrastructure. Trails have been reopened gradually after safety checks, starting with the Arugot Stream trails, then the path to the Ein Gedi spring and the upper sections of David Stream, with the final lower section now set to open, weather permitting.