An itinerary that includes the most important landmarks in and around Makhtesh Ramon (Ramon Crater). Combined with interesting short walks.
| Road Trip Metrics | |
|---|---|
| Distance | 60 Km |
| Duration | 1 - 2 Days |
| Best | Dec - Apr |
| Possible | Oct- May |
| Location |  |
| Full Description | |
Over a short distance of just 60 Km, you will visit an amazing group of desert highlights
Important note: Take into account that some of the roads are Dirt Roads! All of them are Ok also for a regular passenger car.
MAIN ATTRACTIONS:
- Lots Cisterns: Visit this remote site of 17 ancient water cistern dated to King Solomon’s period (10th century BCE).
- Mount Ramon: Visit the highest point in the Negev desert and take a short hike to the touching memorial site for the 7 Columbia shuttle astronauts.
- Mitspe Ramon: A leisurely walk along the Makhtesh promenade.
- Minsara: The “Minsara” (Carpentry) is a unique geological phenomenon. A hill covered with natural square rocks that looks like a pile of wood in carpentry.
- Ramon “Color” Road: An old Quarry turned into an open geological museum.
- “Cone” Hill: A steep climb to an impressive viewpoint in the heart of the carter.
- Mount Saharonim: An exciting ridge walk on a knife-shaped mountain.
- Ammonite Wall: Explore hundreds of 90 million years old fossils.
- Possible hikes near the route: Mount Ardon
MAP OF THE ROAD TRIP
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Guided Jeep Tour with Short Hikes
Join “Israel by Foot” expert Desert Guide with his Jeep (4WD vehicle) for a deep tour in Makhtesh Ramon. The tour is a Mix of “Off-Road” driving and Short Hikes.
Details & Booking
MAKHTESH RAMON – INTRODUCTION
What is a Makhtesh
- Crater – A roughly circular depression in the ground usually caused by volcanic activity, impact, or explosion.
- Makhtesh – A crater-like formation created by erosion
The word “makhtesh” is the Hebrew word for a Mortar and Pestle. The geological landform was given this name because of its similarity to a grinding bowl.
There are only seven such craters in the world, all of them located in the Land of Israel(5) and the Sinai desert(2). Of the five located in Israel, two are tiny ones near the top of mount Arif. That leaves us with the three main Makhteshim (craters):
- Makhtesh Ramon: It is the largest makhtesh in the world. Over 40 km long, 10 km wide, and about 400 m deep. It is also the most famous, and by far the most visited since the main road #40 from Beer Sheva to Eilat is crossing it.
- Makhtesh Hatira (also called the “Big” Makhtesh) is the 2nd in size. 14 km long, 6 km wide, and about 400 m deep. It is much less popular than it’s “bigger brother”, but not less beautiful.
- Makhtesh Hazera (also called the “Small” Makhtesh) is the 3rd in size. 7 km long, 5 km wide and over 500 m deep. Because of its small size, it easier to understand the Makhtesh phenomena as you can see almost its complete outline in one view.
The crater was created 220 million years ago when oceans covered the area. It is full of unique geological formations, such as clay hills known for their fantastic red and yellow colors and forms. Black Basalt hills that are remains of an ancient active volcano which erupted thousands of years ago, polygonal prismatic columns of quartzite, fossils, and more…
How was the crater formed?
LOTS CISTERNS
Ancient cisterns from king Solomon’s period
- Starting point: On road #171 near the junction with a Blue marked dirt road. (GPS: 30.503353, 34.609570) . (1)
ROAD #171
Road #171 crosses the highest area of the Negev Desert. A relatively flat area at an altitude of 800-1000 meters. Because of the altitude, the area is relatively colder and gets more precipitation compared to other areas in the desert. Therefore it is richer in flora and fauna. It even gets occasional snowfall during some of the winters.
- Drive North on the Blue marked dirt road for about 1 Km unit reaching a parking area and a campground. (Use the Lots Cisterns Map and GPS link from the eBook for easier orientation and the short walk).
- From here, there is a 4 Km circular Red marked trail that passes near several of the 17 cisterns.
LOT'S CISTERNS
The Lots cisterns, are a series of 17 man-made water-holes, dug during King Solomon’s period (10th century BCE). Today, 3000 years later, they still get filled with water each winter.
- We recommend to walk right (West) on the Red marked trail for about 1 Km and retrace your steps. In this short section, you will pass by five cisterns.
MOUNT RAMON SHORT HIKE
A short hike to a viewpoint on “Karney Ramon” (Horns of Ramon). A group of 7 Black hills rising from the bottom of the crater. Each hill is named after one of the seven astronauts that died in the Columbia space shuttle crash in 2003
- Return to the main road. Turn left and drive 1.1 km until a junction with a Red marked dirt road. (GPS: 30.506696, 34.621439) (2)
- Use the Mount Ramon Map & GPS Link from the eBook for easier orientation and the short walk.
- Turn right and drive 1.3 Km on the Red marked dirt road until the parking area.
- The dirt road is not in “great” condition, but still decent with any passenger vehicle. The last few hundred meters are rougher, and it is recommended to make them on foot.
3-5 DAYS NEGEV DESERT TREK
- Start in the Small Makhtesh
- Hike to the Big Crater
- Hike to ancient Avdat via Ein Akev
- Finish in Makhtesh Ramon
Inn to Inn Hiking with Luggage Tranfer
Price from:
1,800 NIS
- From the parking area starts a great 3 Km short walk. Follow the Red trail to the summit of mount Ramon. The highest point in the Negev Desert (1037 m ASL). From the top, we descend to the edge of the Makhtesh cliffs, where we get a dramatic view on the eastern area of the crater with the seven black Basalt hills dominating the scenery. The trail now follows along the cliff until the memorial site. From here, there is a truly amazing view on the crater below.
COLUMBIA SPACE SHUTTLE
On February 1, 2003, the Space Shuttle Columbia disintegrated upon reentering Earth’s atmosphere, killing all seven crew members. Ilan Ramon, the first Israeli astronaut, was one of the crew members on board. The fact that Ilan’s last name is the same as the biggest Makhtesh in the word lead to the idea of setting up a memorial site in the area. The specific spot was chosen because it has an amazing vista on the seven black hills that rise from the base of the crater just below. Each hill is named after one of the seven astronauts.
- From the memorial site, return on the Black marked trail to the parking.
In memory of Ilan Ramon
MITSPE RAMON
Visitors Center and the Makhtesh Cliff promenade
- Getting there:
- Drive about 30 Km to Makhtesh visitors center. (GPS: 30.609357, 34.806044) (3)
- Use the “Mitspe Ramon” Map and GPS file from the download pack for the short walk and orientation in the area.
RAMON VISITORS CENTER
On the edge of the Ramon Crater cliff sits the visitors center, a mandatory station before a visit to the Makhtesh area. The visit includes observation from a panoramic window. A dynamic and interactive exhibit that combines videos and a 3D model of Makhtesh. Another section is dedicated to the story of Ilan Ramon (The first Israeli astronaut). It includes an exciting film and a display of exhibits from his journey to space. It is recommended to book ahead here
- After the visit, we recommend going on a short walk along the crater’s cliff to the Camel mountain lookout. (Map and GPS link are available in the eBook)
- The walk is about 3 Kilometers (back and forth 1.5 Km) and very easy to follow with the map.
- Just walk west along the clear path parallel to the crater cliff marked with INT markers. After about a kilometer, the path gets narrower and is marked, Black. About ½ Km further, you reach the lookout balcony of Mount Camel. An impressive view of the whole Makhtesh.
The “Minsara” (Carpentry)
A geological gem near the main road
- Getting There:
- Drive on road #40 to (GPS: 30.621332, 34.843270) (6.5Km), turn right on the Green marked dirt road, and drive ½ Km to the parking space. (4)
- From here, there is an easy short trail to tour around the site.
MINSARA (CARPENTRY)
The “Minsara” (prism or Carpentry) hill that rises in the heart of the Ramon Crater is covered with sandstone columns with straight sides, that look like wooden boards cut out in a carpentry shop. As you walk, you’ll discover the prisms, most of them with 4-6 faces, some sticking out of the ground at a right angle while others scattered across the slope.
How were the prisms created?
They are the result of a rare geological phenomenon: into the sandstone hill, a hot magma penetrated from the depths of the earth and melted the sandstone. The rock bulged, and after cooling down, it shrank and cracked, creating the prisms that we see today.
How were the prisms created?
They are the result of a rare geological phenomenon: into the sandstone hill, a hot magma penetrated from the depths of the earth and melted the sandstone. The rock bulged, and after cooling down, it shrank and cracked, creating the prisms that we see today.
RAMON “COLORS” ROAD
An old quarry turned into a natural gem
- Get back to road #40, turn right and drive 3.5 Km to (GPS: 30.601854, 34.871083) (5)
The next section of the road trip is on minor paved roads and marked dirt roads that are suitable also for standard passenger cars. Use the “Ramon dirt roads Map and GPS link from the eBook for easier navigation.
- Turn left to the Blue marked minor paved road.
- The road is called “Ramon colors road”.
RAMON COLORS ROAD
The Nature and Parks Authority rehabilitated the abandoned mining and quarrying area in the heart of the Ramon Crater, and converted it into an open geological museum displaying a variety of colorful rocks and fascinating natural geological phenomena.
Main sites:
? Colored sand and rocks from the Jurassic era.
? Old mining equipment
? Small winter lake at the site of the open mine.
Main sites:
? Colored sand and rocks from the Jurassic era.
? Old mining equipment
? Small winter lake at the site of the open mine.
- Drive on this road for 6 Km until a junction with a Red marked dirt road.
- Along the road, enjoy the different attractions mentioned above.
“CONE” HILL (GIVAT HARUT)
A fantastic 360° vista in the heart of the Makhtesh
- Getting There:
- At the end of the “Color” Road, turn left and drive 200-300 m until a junction with a Black marked dirt road.
- Turn left and follow the dirt road for 700 m.
- On your left, you will see “Be’erot” campground, which is the only organized lodging option inside the crater. On-site, you can rent matres and sleeping bags for 10 NIS. There is also a Kiosk offering refreshments. (Tel: 08-6280404 ext.1, mail: beerot@netvision.net.il)
- Shortly after the campground, you will meet a junction with a Red marked Dirt road.
- You are now a few minute’s drive from the trail-head of the Mount Ardon Hike. Highly recommended if you got the time and energy!!
3-5 DAYS NEGEV DESERT TREK
- Start in the Small Makhtesh
- Hike to the Big Crater
- Hike to ancient Avdat via Ein Akev
- Finish in Makhtesh Ramon
Inn to Inn Hiking with Luggage Tranfer
Price from:
1,800 NIS
- Turn right a and follow it 1 Km until a junction with a Back marked dirt road.
- Continue straight on the Black marked dirt road for 1.1 Km until a small parking area where the quality of the road deteriorates, and it no longer suitable for a passenger car. (This section is easier for navigation with the eBook )
- From here starts the short 2.4 Km way-and-back short Hike (1.2 km each way) to the top of the “cone” hill.
CONE HILL
The hill has an almost perfect cone shape. It rises steeply 70 m from the Craters’ base provides an amazing 360° vista on the Makhtesh and the mighty Ardon Mountain rising just in front of it to the north.
- Use the “Cone Hill” Map and GPS Link from the eBook for easier navigation on the short hike.
- Continue by foot on the Black marked dirt road until a junction with a Blue marked path. Turn left and walk on it until an intersection with a Red marked trail. Turn right and start climbing gradually to the base of the “cone”. Look on your right for the narrow, steep path that goes to the top.
MOUNT SAHARONIM
Walk on the southern “wall” of Makhtesh Ramon
- Getting There:
- Drive back to the main road #40 in the same way you came. (6)
- Turn left and drive 1.4 Km until a junction with a Green marked dirt road (7). GPS: 30.585540, 34.891516)
- Turn left again onto the Green marked dirt road and drive about 3 Km until a “T” junction with a Black marked dirt road. Park here for the short hike to Mount Saharonim.
- It’s a 4 Km way and back Hike (2 Km each way).
- Use the Mount Saharonim Map and GPS link from the eBook for easier navigation on the short hike.
MOUNT SAHARONIM
Mount Saharonim is “knife-shaped”ridge and is actually a section of the southern “Wall” of the crater. The trail follows the ridge just below top on the northern side giving great views of the crater along the walk.
- Walk for about 500 m south along the Black marked dirt road. Turn left onto a Green marked path. The path climbs steeply on the ridge, then levels and follows the ridge. Follow it as long as you want and retrace your steps.
AMMONITE WALL
Ammonite Wall by By Tomerfiliba / Wikimedia
A short walk to explore Explore hundreds of 90 million years old fossils
- Getting there:
- Drive back to the main road #40.
- Turn left and drive 1.4 kilometers until a Red marked path meets the road from the right. (GPS: 30.583155, 34.887354) (8).
- From here, use the Ammonitim Wall Map and GPS link from the eBook for the short walk to the Ammonite Wall.
WHAT ARE THE AMMONITES?
Ammonites are an extinct group of marine molluscs closely related to living octopuses, squid, and cuttlefish. The earliest appeared during the Devonian (400 Million years ago), and the last died out during the Cretaceous–Paleogene extinction event (66 Million years ago), Because of this, Ammonites are excellent index fossils, used to link a specific rock layer to a specific geological period.
The rock face of the Ammonite Wall in the Ramon Crater contains hundreds of ammonite fossils from around 70 Million years ago!!
The rock face of the Ammonite Wall in the Ramon Crater contains hundreds of ammonite fossils from around 70 Million years ago!!
- To reach the Ammonite wall, walk 700 m along the Red Marked Trail.
- On the way back, after about 150 m, notice a Green marked path to your left.
- For the energetic hikers, this is an excellent detour!!
- The path makes a short, but steep 120 meters climb to the top of the nearby summit for another breathtaking view of the Makhtesh.
STARGAZING
The perfect dessert for the day
Mitzpe Ramon has some of the darkest, most easily accessible skies in Israel. There is some light pollution here, but on a dark night, the Milky Way is bright and easily visible, and the sky is star-studded. Join Us for an unforgettable night’s adventure.
GET THE ROAD TRIP EBOOK
Price: Just $
Sample eBook
- Hiking Maps
- GPS Navigation App
- Road Trip Description
- Mobile Phones Optimized.
MAKHTESH RAMON FAQ’s
What is a Makhtesh?
Makhtesh is a crater-like formation created by erosion.
The word “makhtesh” is the Hebrew word for a Mortar and Pestle. The geological landform was given this name because of its similarity to a grinding bowl.
There are only seven such craters in the world, all of them located in the Land of Israel(5) and the Sinai desert(2). Of the five located in Israel, two are tiny ones near the top of mount Arif. That leaves us with the three main Makhteshim (craters).
What is the size of Makhtesh Ramon?
It is the largest makhtesh in the world — over 40 km long, 10 km wide, and about 400 m deep.
Are there also short and easy hikes in Makhtesh Ramon?
Yes. There are several attractive, easy hikes in the Maktesh. You can find details on a few of them here.
What is the best hike in Makhtesh Ramon?
If you have time for one Day-Hike, then the climb on Mount Ardon is the one to go for.
Can I sleep inside the Makhtesh?
The only lodging option inside the Ramon Carter is “Be’erot” campground. On-site, you can rent matres and sleeping bags for 10 NIS. There is also a Kiosk offering refreshments. (Tel: 08-6280404 ext.1, mail: beerot@netvision.net.il)
How old in the Ramon crater?
The crater was created 220 million years ago! From volcanic and magmatic phenomena.