Red Canyon is a narrow sandstone slot canyon in the Eilat Mountains, 20 kilometres northwest of central Eilat — a 90-minute loop hike that descends through metal ladders into a slot canyon of deep red sandstone walls, follows the canyon floor through narrow passages, and returns along the rim with panoramic views over the surrounding desert. The canyon is the most photographed short hike in the southern Negev and one of the easiest geological day-trips from Eilat.
This guide covers the canyon itself (geology, the descent route, the slot section), trail logistics (length, difficulty, safety), what makes Red Canyon distinct from other Negev hikes, and how to combine it with Timna Park for a full desert-geology day from Eilat.
What is Red Canyon?
Red Canyon is a natural slot canyon carved into the Lower Cretaceous sandstone of the Eilat Mountains by millions of years of water erosion. The canyon is approximately 150 metres long in its narrowest “slot” section, where the walls rise 20 to 25 metres above the canyon floor and the width drops to less than 2 metres in places. The deep iron-oxide-rich sandstone gives the walls their characteristic red colour, which intensifies in the late-afternoon sun.
The canyon is part of a longer geological system in the Eilat Mountains; the slot section that visitors hike is the most accessible and dramatic stretch. The Israel Nature and Parks Authority manages the trail; signage and basic infrastructure (metal ladders, marked footpaths) are in place but the experience remains essentially a wild desert hike rather than a developed park.
Visiting Red Canyon Today
Hours: the trail is open continuously; no entrance gate or fee. The parking area is free.
Getting there: drive north from central Eilat on Highway 12 for approximately 25 minutes. The trailhead parking area is signed; the unpaved access road from the highway is short but requires basic dirt-road driving (standard rental cars are fine). Organised tours from Eilat hotels include transport.
Atmosphere: mornings are coolest and quieter; afternoons bring tour groups and the best photographic light. Winter weekdays are the quietest; school holidays can crowd the trail.
Trail conditions: the path is marked with standard Israel National Parks coloured trail blazes. Carry the official trail map (available at the Eilat Tourist Information Centre).
The Hike
The Approach (15 minutes)
A flat marked path leads from the parking area to the canyon rim — sandstone landscape with desert vegetation and views back toward the Arava Valley. The path ends at the descent point where metal handrails mark the start of the canyon entry.
The Descent (15 minutes)
Three to five metal ladders descend into the canyon floor — each ladder typically 2 to 4 metres, bolted into the rock with handrails. The metal is hot in summer afternoon sun (wear gloves or use a cloth). Children should descend with adult supervision; the rungs are well-spaced for adult feet but require care for small feet.
The Slot Section (30 minutes)
The canyon floor at the bottom of the descent is mostly flat sand and small smooth pebbles. The first 150 metres are the deepest “slot” — narrow walls, dappled light, and the iron-red sandstone closest to eye level. Photographic stops along this section produce the most-shared images of Red Canyon. Continue downstream past the slot; the canyon widens gradually.
The Return Loop (40 minutes)
The marked trail exits the canyon at the lower end via a less dramatic series of natural rock steps. The return path follows the rim of the canyon back toward the parking area, with panoramic views of the canyon system from above. The full loop is approximately 3 kilometres.
Photography Notes
Best light is mid-afternoon (around 15:00 to 16:30 in winter, slightly later in summer). The angled sun illuminates the slot walls directly and intensifies the red colour saturation. Morning light is flatter; midday produces harsh shadows that hide the canyon detail.
Wide-angle lens captures the slot scale; the narrow walls and deep colours work for landscape composition more than telephoto detail. A polariser reduces sandstone glare.
Footing for photography — the canyon floor is uneven; a wrist strap or chest strap is more practical than a neck strap for moving with the camera.
Nearby Attractions
Timna Park is 35 minutes north on Highway 90 — the natural pair for a full desert-geology day. Combine Red Canyon (90 minutes) with Timna (3 to 4 hours) for a substantial day-hike experience. Eilat Mountains lookout points along Highway 12 offer pull-over photography stops. The Egyptian border at Taba is 5 km south of central Eilat for travellers extending into the Sinai (separate visa required).
Practical Tips
Bring water — 1.5 to 2 litres per person. No water sources on the trail; the visitor centre in Eilat is the last refill point.
Avoid winter rains — flash floods can fill the slot canyon dangerously fast. The Eilat region rarely sees rain (less than 30 mm annually) but when storms occur, they can be sudden. Check the Israel Meteorological Service forecast before heading out in November to March.
Good shoes — closed-toe walking shoes or hiking boots; not flip-flops. The metal ladders need a foot that grips the rung.
Wear layers in winter — the slot canyon floor stays cooler than the surrounding desert and the early morning Eilat Mountains can be cold.
Head torch in winter afternoons — short winter days mean the lower canyon sections lose direct light by 16:00. A small head torch keeps the return walk safe.
Don’t go alone in poor weather — the slot canyon is isolated and mobile signal can be patchy. Pair-up minimum.
Why Visit
Red Canyon is the easiest dramatic short hike from Eilat — a real slot-canyon experience that delivers the deep-red sandstone walls, the metal-ladder descent and the geological drama of much longer Negev hikes inside a 90-minute round trip. The trail is short enough for travellers without serious hiking experience and visually striking enough to justify the dedicated trip.
For a full day-hiking experience from Eilat, combine Red Canyon (morning) with Timna Park (afternoon) — same direction, same parking-and-driving logistics, and complementary geology. For a half-day, Red Canyon alone fits comfortably between a morning at Coral Beach and an evening at the Eilat marina.
