ERETZ Book Subscribe Jerusalem Issue Gift Subscription Sample Issue Customer Service

Home

Hermon: Hazori to Hula

Golan: Devora &  Gilbon

Golan: Nahal Meitzar

Galilee: Nahal Kziv

Galilee: Nahal Amud

Galilee: Nahal Rosh Pina

Galilee: Ramat Adamit

Coast: Dor to Caesarea

Judean Hills: Ela Valley

Judean Desert: Masada

Judean Desert: Peres

Negev: Mount Zaror

Negev: Hatira Coxcomb

Negev: Ramon Ridge

Negev: Hatzra Ascent

Negev: Nekarot Hike

Negev: Ada Canyon

Arava: Barak Canyon

Arava: Maok & Nekarot

Eilat: Israel Trail Finale

Upgrade to the free Adobe Reader 7.0 today!

THE POOLS OF NAHAL PERES
 

A desert excursion for families that enjoy
hiking together

Nahal Peres drains from the eastern slopes of the Hatzera ridge and extends for some 17 kilometers. There are hiking trails along most of it, but when hikers talk about Nahal Peres, they usually mean the lower part of the riverbed. This is a pleasant, easy route that passes waterholes and through a narrow gorge. The landscape is impressive and fun to walk through and the hike draws to its close at a lookout point with a spectacular view of the southern Dead Sea and the mountains of Edom and Moab.

The Hike

The trail, with red markings, begins in the parking area and leads to one of the tributaries of Nahal Peres. This point offers a view of the clean white desert, with acacia trees growing in the riverbed. On the other side of the riverbed rises Mt. Zurim, 78 meters above sea level. The mountain’s table-like shape is typical of many mountains in the Negev due to the layer of hard rock that covers the soft chalk of the mountain, preventing erosion.

The black-marked trail that begins here descends into the riverbed’s eastern tributary, bypassing the pools. Continue along the red trail, leading past the black trail and a dirt road marked in blue. The trail climbs a bit and arrives at Nahal Peres, reaching the top of the gorge in which the pools are located.

The winter rains make this point the highlight of the hike. In the center of a 100-meter-long rocky area is a string of pools that fill with water in the winter. It is framed on both sides by 8-meter-high banks. A 10-meter-high waterfall adds a final touch to the charm of this site. This is a great place for a long break. The high banks provide shade and the area radiates tranquility.

Continue along the green-marked trail, bypassing the waterfall from the left, to the point where it meets the black-marked trail Follow the black-marked trail into the riverbed. The trail now leads through a narrow gorge for about half a kilometer, passing many small pools.

Some 80 meters before a large waterfall, 50 meters above the riverbed, the black-marked path leaves the channel, veering to the right, up a ladder of metal rungs attached to the rock. Climb the ladder to the green-marked trail leading to the top of the Peres Ascent.

You are now standing on the remains of an ancient road that led from the Tamar Fortress to the oasis of Zo’ar. The view of the Dead Sea and the mountains of Moab and Edom is spectacular. From here, the trail descends to the parking area beside the Arava Junction, where the hike ends.



 

 

Start: The parking area beside kilometer marker 111 on the Dimona-Dead Sea Road (Route 25)

End: Arava Junction.

Length: Four hours

Difficulty: Children over nine years of age.

Bring: Comfortable walking shoes,  hat, water, food. If you like, bring along a gas ring in order to make coffee and tea.

Map: Hiking and trail map of the Northern Negev.

 

 


© ERETZ Magazine 2016