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Erez Speiser – Israel Scenic Roads (Part 3)

 

This series of posts, we will introduce some of Israel’s most scenic roads. All of them offer both great views and interesting attractions along the way.

Roads #225 & #227 – Scorpion Pass

Start point: Yerucham GPS (30.988664, 34.923494)
End point: Road #90 GPS (30.814003, 35.248579)
Region: Negev Desert
Length: 50 Km
Net Driving time: 1  Hour.
Best season: Winter.

Roads #225 & #227 connect the town of Yerucham to the Arava valley. It used to be the main road to Eilat until 1956. The Road offers fantastic deseret scenery and an exciting driving experience as it crosses the “Big” Makhtesh and then descends the serpentines of the Scorpion pass.

Main Attractions along the drive:

• Makhtesh Hatira (Called also the “Big” Makhtesh), 14 km long, 6 km wide and about 400 m deep. It is much less popular than the bigger Ramon Crater, but not less beautiful. This gives an advantage of a more “intimate” experience.
• Ein Yorkeam & Hatira Canyon: Upon existing the crater we have an option for a short hike to visit these 2 desert attractions.
  Ein Yarkam is a seasonal spring in the upper part of the Hatira wadi, east of the “big” Makhtesh. The spring is “active” mainly during the winter and early spring, filling a large pool with water up to 5 meters depth. Towards the end of the summer only a few water puddles remain in the lower part. From the spring you can continue walking down the Hatira canyon until a big dry waterfall nicknamed “Nakeb el Yahud”.
• “Nakeb El Yahud” – How it got its strange name? In 1944, during the British mandate, a Palmach platoon was in a long 21-day journey from the Judean Desert to the Negev. Because the they did not want to be discovered by the British troops in the open areas of the Rotem Plain, they were forced to deviate from the original route. After passing through a few canyons, they reached a “dead-end”, facing a tall dry waterfall rising to the right and a high cliff blocking their way on the left. What to do? Out of lack of choice, they climbed the canyon cliff that was considered impassable until then!! The Bedouins living in the area named it “Nakeb El Yahud” (Pass of the Jews). Nowadays, a metal ladder and cables serve the hikers on the path that goes along the canyon.
• The “Small” Maktesh: A bit further along the road there is another option for a short walk for a dramatic view point on the “Small” Makhtesh. It is 7 km long, 5 km wide and over 500 m deep. It has an almost perfect round shape. And because It is relatively small you can see almost all of it in one look. An amazing vista.
• The Scorpion Pass: All of a sudden, the road drops steeply from the mountains down to the Arava valley. The road negotiates the height difference with a series of tight serpentines. The view from the head of the pass is truly dramatic.

Get Detailed descriptions and optional short hikes for this drive.