Things to see and do South

Lower Entrance (side entrance Midreshet Ben Gurion)

The trail is easy to the water drop that flows all year round and flows into a basin. On the walls of the canyon, traces of other more ephemeral falls are visible. It was these waterfalls that eroded the rock and formed the gorges. In some places, caves were used by monks in Byzantine times. From the lower basin, you can go back to the top of the cliff or climb to the top of the cliff with ladders that are mounted in the rock (closed access in case of bad weather). This passage is not recommended for older children and elderly people. You can reach the plateau from where you have a superb view on the canyon. Attention, it is forbidden to go back once the ascent is undertaken (6,5 km).

Upper Entrance (entrance side Ovda National Park)

This access makes it possible to take a walk on the plateau from which the water is flowing during heavy rain in the bottom of the park. The trail is well signposted and easily accessible. You can't get down in the gorge by the built ladders because these are only usable in the Lower Entrance-Upper Gate.

Created in 1982, the Timna Park features desert landscapes of all beauty, with numerous geological formations. These are the oldest known copper mines in the world. Exploited from the fourth millennium BC, it is mainly the Egyptians who, from the th to the th century BC, created here a true copper industry. Among the most curious geological formations are an arch, a mushroom shaped rock, and the "pillars of Solomon", feet high. At the foot of these are the ruins of an Egyptian temple, erected in the th century before our era in honour of the goddess Hathor, protector of minors. Take a look at the hieroglyphs engraved in the rock. The park also houses an artificial lake, fed by the water table, where it is possible to make a pedal boat. Mountain biking and rappel are also part of the proposed activities. Camping near the lake, usually reserved by the groups.

When the border between Jordan and Israel was first set in 1992 in the middle of the Jordan bed, some cultivated land was on the Jordanian side. They were finally left to Israel in 1994, in exchange for other land. The road to peace allows to discover some of these lands. The route starts from the Moshav Idan (Iddan), passing through the Moshav Hatseva (Hatzeva) and then closer to the Jordanian border before ending at the mohsav Ein Yahav, near road No. 90 towards Eilat. It is 24 km. There are farms and beautiful views of the Jordanian mountains. This route is also signposted for cyclists. To see on track: Peace Scenic Lookout, at the corner of Badlands Road, opened in 1998, has the names of the generous donors and Hufira Scenic Lookout near Ein Yahav.

This kibbutz was founded in 1957. Today, its 600 kibboutzniks produce fruits (mangoes, dates…) and vegetables, and produce more than 60% of Israeli dairy products. The kibbutz visited. There is a restaurant and a shop that sells local products. Yotvata enjoys the tourist attraction of the Hai Bar reserve, a few kilometres south.

The Red Sea Desert Information Centre, which depends on the Eilot Regional Council, can help you organize your visits to the southern part of the Arava Valley, between Yotvata and Eilot.

The Underwater Observatory houses a panoramic glass room 4 metres below sea level, from which you can admire countless multicoloured fish. If you still haven't had your fill of the Red Sea, the park's extensive aquariums will add to the list of wildlife on display. Children will undoubtedly enjoy seeing the turtles, rays and sharks, and touching some of the fish in the tanks.

The Eilat coral reef stretches for over 1 km along the western coast of the Gulf. It is a natural underwater reserve for around a hundred species of coral, as well as numerous multicolored fish. The water is crystal-clear, and coral and fish are perfectly visible at shallow depths. You don't need a tank - just a mask, snorkel and flippers ("snorkeling"). If you haven't brought your own, you can rent them on site. Caution: avoid contact with the coral, and don't dive barefoot: the coral cuts.

Those arriving by car can easily access the entrance to the Shchoret Canyon (or Black Canyon), which is on the Israel National Trail. Halfway along the track leading to the pillars of Amram, take on the left another track marked in green. At the end of the road, a marked green trail is made between the 20 m high walls. There's only sandstone, but also the older black granite and, further, the outflow of the gorge, white chalk, younger. Then leave green tags for red tags on the right, which reach a large point of view on the Vallée valley. Continue on the trail marked in red to a second point of view. From this one, follow on the right, south, the black tags that go back to the parking lot. Count 2 hours of round trip.

From the road 90 from Eilat, take on the left a track marked in blue. After 6 km the track ends with a parking lot. 5 min walk leads to the geological formation of the pillars of Amram. It is a high "fée" carved in sandstone by hydraulic erosion on the western cliff of a circus that is the foothills of Eilat mountains. In the plain, you may see gazelles dorcas. It is better to have a car to visit this site: The bus from Eilat will only leave you at the entrance of the track.

The Red Canyon is the framework of one of the most beautiful trails of the National Mountain Park of Eilat. By bus, on the line linking Eilat and Return Ramon, ask the driver to drop you at the intersection of the track leading to the entrance of the site (indicated by a sign on the edge of road No. 12). From there, walk around 1,5 km to reach the parking lot. You will then have 1 km of extra walking to reach the interesting part of the canyon. If you are by car, directly reach the parking by the track (or pre-park if the floor is too sandy). The trail is marked in green, blue and black. The green course does not require more than 1 hour round-trip. It goes to the bottom of narrow gorges where you can find a large part of the day.

Road No. 12 reaches at the top of Mount Hizkiyyahu at 838 m above sea level. From here, views of Eilat Mountains and, beyond, the valley of Arava to the East. To the west, Egypt: the old road of Mecca, the Montagnes mountains and the grey sand plain called the Moon Valley. Unfortunately, this part is inaccessible and visible from the road.

After crossing the Filter Border Crossing area and starting along the Egyptian border, a small lane on the right leads to the region's sole source: Ein Filter, i. e. the "source of the drops" because the pond is fed by almost a drip. A 4 x 4 is required. To access the pond, park on the parking lot and follow the signposted trail. Less than one kilometre later, you will arrive at the source, sheltered at the bottom of the Nefatim Oued and preserved from the intense evaporation by the shadow of the cliffs surrounding it. The pond fills more extensively in the rainy season when a waterfall falls along the wall. Upstream, another small mare was set up by British soldiers. There is a marked trail in black. The best time to visit ponds is dawn or late afternoon: You can then marvel at gazelles, rock damans or gangas to the water. Take a 30 minute walk for this walk.

You will find impressive views of the road No 12, which runs along the Egyptian border to the north and climbs over the Gulf by crawling between the mountains of Eilat to the west and the Montagnes mountains to the east, in Egypt. It is the former pilgrim route (El al-Hajj) from Cairo to Mecca by the Sinai Desert and Aqaba, traced by the Sultan of Egypt, Mahmoud Ibn Beautiful, in the early th century. From the road itself, the view extends over the blue Gulf and, basically, the Jordanian mountains, all red at sunset. From Eilat and after a great turn, a small road on the right leads to Mount Yeroham Lookout. The view is magnificent on the Gulf, the city of Aqaba and the town of Eilat.

This art teaching centre offers courses and workshops for all ages and organizes cultural events throughout the year. It is located in a beautiful renovated building dating back to the Ottoman era.

Makhtesh Ramon is a spectacular 500-metre deep geological formation, stretching 40 km long and 9 km wide in the middle of the Negev, next to the city of Return Ramon. It is one of the five makhteshim in the region (Makhtesh Ramon, Makhtesh Gadol, Makhtesh Katan and two minor makhteshim). Commonly known as craters, they are actually circuses of karst erosion that all fall under the same training process.

Originally, there was a mountain where the summit, following the seismic activity of the African Syrian fault, found itself in an asymmetrical way. The rains entrainèrent surface erosion and sides and created, by infiltration, underground cavities. The movement of water inside the cavities thus formed façonna a karst landscape whose tender rocks under the cap were gradually evacuated. The hard rocks of the summit écroulèrent under their weight and were swept by a oued, the Nahal Ramon. The soil contains a wide variety of rocks, minerals and colorful sands, but also fossils. In the crater and surrounding area, some plants extract from quartz, clay, but mainly gypsum. The fauna and flora, desert type, are very diverse.

A leaflet named Makhtesh Ramon Nature Reserve, available at Return Ramon Visitor Center and also downloadable on the park site, contains details of the walks and hikes that make it possible to discover the crater. Durations vary from 1 hour to 3 days and relate to all levels of difficulty. About 12 km from Return Ramon, in the heart of the crater, a nomadic camp welcomes visitors, including for the night.

A thermal spa in the desert, incredible but true! Taking 900 metres in depth, water for the four spa basins is particularly rich in minerals, a valuable ally to alleviate vascular problems. The centre offers various massages: Aromatherapy, reflexology, Ayurvedic, Thai… There is also a sauna and steam bath on site; In short, this centre has nothing to envy the Dead Sea Care Centre. A kosher in the garden and a kosher cafeteria ensure the cover and, as well, a part of the centre has been transformed into a lodge. 82 rooms with air conditioning, bathroom, kitchenette and satellite TV are available. Prices vary according to formulas and seasons.