Mount Karkom

Mountain Rugged mountain with archaeological sites and rock art

Mount Karkom sits in Israel’s southern desert and attracts hikers and archaeologists for prehistoric petroglyphs, stone circles and stark desert panoramas that reward long, dusty walks.

Main image
Bulbuses on Har Karkom.jpg
Cave of Moses.jpg
Clouds, Mount Karkom, Negev, Israel עננים, הר כרכום, הנגב - panoramio (1).jpg
Clouds, Mount Karkom, Negev, Israel עננים, הר כרכום, הנגב - panoramio.jpg
Har Karkom (997009157546905171.jpg
Har Karkom (997009157547205171.jpg
Har Karkom (997009157547705171.jpg
Har Karkom (997009157548005171.jpg
Har Karkom (997009157548405171.jpg
Har Karkom (997009157548605171.jpg
Mount Karkom
Mount Karkom archaeological area, Negev/Arava region, Southern District, Israel
30.2862, 34.7448

How to Get to Mount Karkom #

Mount Karkom is reached by road from the Arava/Negev region. The site is remote and usually visited as part of an organized tour or with a local guide; approach routes use unpaved desert tracks from Route 90 or nearby junctions.

Tips for Visiting Mount Karkom #

  • Walk the marked trails to see the petroglyphs; many panels are fragile and should not be touched.
  • Visit at morning or late afternoon for softer light on the rock art and cooler conditions.
  • Combine with a desert drive to the northern Negev to see the landscape that surrounds Karkom.

Best Time to Visit Mount Karkom #

Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons for exploring the desert archaeology.

Spring
Mar-May · 15-25°C
Mild temperatures and wildflowers in some years.
Autumn
Sep-Nov · 20-28°C
Clear skies and comfortable days for field visits.
Winter
Dec-Feb · 5-15°C
Cooler and wetter; some days may be muddy.

Weather & Climate near Mount Karkom #

Climate

Mount Karkom's climate is classified as Hot Desert - Hot Desert climate with hot summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 3°C to 32°C. Very dry conditions with minimal rainfall with a pronounced dry season.

Best Time to Visit
JuneJulyAugust
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
46°
Warmest Month
-2°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coolest month with highs of 13°C and lows of 3°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.

71 Very Good

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
13°
63%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

25 mm
Rainfall
2.5 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.7
UV Index
Moderate
10.3h daylight

February

February is cold with highs of 15°C and lows of 4°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.

73 Very Good

Comfort

10°
Feels Like Cold
10°C
Temperature
15°
59%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

26 mm
Rainfall
2.8 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.0
UV Index
High
11.0h daylight

March

March is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 7°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.

82 Excellent

Comfort

13°
Feels Like Cool
13°C
Temperature
19°
54%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

20 mm
Rainfall
3.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.5
UV Index
High
11.9h daylight

April

April is cool with highs of 24°C and lows of 11°C. Almost no rain and mostly sunny skies.

94 Ideal

Comfort

17°
Feels Like Cool
17°C
Temperature
11° 24°
46%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

7 mm
Rainfall
3.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.9
UV Index
Very High
12.8h daylight

May

May is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 14°C. Almost no rain and clear sunny skies.

96 Ideal

Comfort

21°
Feels Like Mild
21°C
Temperature
14° 28°
42%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

2 mm
Rainfall
3.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.4
UV Index
Extreme
13.6h daylight

June

June is warm with highs of 31°C and lows of 17°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.

100 Ideal

Comfort

24°
Feels Like Warm
24°C
Temperature
17° 31°
43%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

0 mm
Rainfall
3.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.8
UV Index
Extreme
13.9h daylight

July

July is the warmest month with highs of 32°C and lows of 19°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.

100 Ideal

Comfort

26°
Feels Like Warm
26°C
Temperature
19° 32°
44%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

0 mm
Rainfall
3.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.8
UV Index
Extreme
13.8h daylight

August

August is warm with highs of 32°C and lows of 19°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.

99 Ideal

Comfort

25°
Feels Like Warm
25°C
Temperature
19° 32°
49%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

0 mm
Rainfall
2.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.5
UV Index
Extreme
13.1h daylight

September

September is mild with highs of 30°C and lows of 17°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.

99 Ideal

Comfort

24°
Feels Like Mild
24°C
Temperature
17° 30°
54%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

0 mm
Rainfall
2.7 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.0
UV Index
Very High
12.2h daylight

October

October is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 14°C. Almost no rain and clear sunny skies.

97 Ideal

Comfort

20°
Feels Like Mild
20°C
Temperature
14° 26°
55%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

2 mm
Rainfall
2.4 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.4
UV Index
High
11.3h daylight

November

November is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 9°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.

85 Excellent

Comfort

14°
Feels Like Cool
14°C
Temperature
20°
55%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

13 mm
Rainfall
2.4 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.8
UV Index
Moderate
10.5h daylight

December

December is cold with highs of 15°C and lows of 4°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.

73 Very Good

Comfort

10°
Feels Like Cold
10°C
Temperature
15°
59%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

24 mm
Rainfall
2.1 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.6
UV Index
Moderate
10.1h daylight

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