Ruhama Badlands

Ruhama Badlands is a nature reserve in the Negev with two distinct areas featuring rolling hills, seasonal streams, and exposed kurkar ridges. Water erosion has shaped these rock formations over time, creating the badlands terrain visible today.

The reserve borders Kibbutz Ruhama, founded in 1912 as the first Jewish settlement in the Negev. The kibbutz was abandoned several times before being permanently resettled in 1944.

Locals call this landscape Little Tuscany because of its rolling green hills and red anemone flowers that bloom during winter months. These flowers shape the visual character of the land and draw visitors who want to see the seasonal display.

The western section of the reserve can be accessed via Road 334, making it easy to reach by car. February offers the best time to visit if you want to see the wildflowers in bloom.

The loess soil composition creates specific water drainage patterns that shape the distinctive badlands terrain found here. These geological conditions allow the wildflower vegetation that covers the hills to thrive.