<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nA long cliff rises to a height of 100 m or more between the upper Avdat and the Tsin valley. The broad bed of the Wadi Tsin, as well as the HaTsinim cliff, which stretches for some 20 km along the northern edges of the Avdat plateau, are the ideal playground for trekking enthusiasts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
En Avdat National Park is located in Wadi Tsin, on the northern edges of the Avdat plateau, 400-600 m above sea level. But in addition to an impressive desert landscape, a reservoir of wildlife (kingdom of ibex and vultures), the great cliffs of En Avdat are home to important archaeological remains of the settlements of Byzantine monks who found inner peace in the caves of the walls. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Its upper strata are made up of hard, white Eocene limestones, and the lower strata are soft (clays and marls). Erosion eventually resulted in deep canyons with high cliffs such as the En Avdat Canyon. The concentration of travertine <\/strong>and remains of some prehistoric sites <\/strong>in the area indicate that the canyon in its present form was created some 45,000 years ago. The greenery blends with the layers of white limestone, a landscape unique among the most beautiful in the Negev. <\/p>\n\n\n\nEin Avdat National Park. Views of the ravine from the upper viewpoint. EDUARDO AZCONA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe Avdat National Park is home to the remains of a Nabataean settlement<\/strong> established as a way station for caravans travelling along the Incense Route. It is later because it was an important urban centre in Roman and Byzantine times (2nd to 7th centuries AD). From the remains of the city you can still see traces of cultivated areas, agricultural terraces, dams and cisterns from these periods.<\/p>\n\n\n\nYou can walk to the Havarim cistern <\/strong>after turning east on road 40 at km 128, following the signs. This is a Nabataean cistern carved out of limestone rock on the north bank of Wadi Havarim, a tributary of Wadi Tsin. It is one of the most beautiful cisterns in the Negev and still fills with water when the wadi floods. The roof rests on a carved central pillar, which bears an ancient Nabataean symbol identified with Dushara, the chief Nabataean god. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n<\/span>Routes in the park <\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nHow to get there. Entrance.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n On road 40 (Beersheba - Mitspe Ramon road). The lower entrance to En Avdat is near the Ben Gurion family tomb and Midreshet Sde Boker. The upper entrance is about 5 km to the south.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
North entrance<\/strong> (lower car park): Between km 130 and 131, turn east following the sign for Midreshet Sde Boker. Continue following the signs for about 4 km to the lower car park. This will be the start of the route<\/strong> which will be described below. <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\nThe south entrance <\/strong>(upper car park): Between kilometres 123 and 124, turn east according to the sign. Approximately 1km along the road, you will reach the upper car park, from where you can walk to the viewpoint and the top of the upper Wadi Tsin waterfall. At this entrance you will find spectacular panoramic views across the entire canyon but there is no possibility to go down to the wadi<\/strong>. <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\nThe The best time to enjoy the routes in the Park is spring and autumn.<\/strong>. At the entrance of the Park you will be able to get the tickets<\/strong>If you are interested, the staff will provide you with a map and details of hiking options in the area. <\/p>\n\n\n\nStart of hiking route in Ein Avdat National Park. EDUARDO AZCONA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nPoints of interest<\/h3>\n\n\n\nEn Avdat waterfall<\/strong>A flowing waterfall, and at its feet, a crystal-clear pool in the watercourse.<\/li>Euphrates poplar<\/strong>Euphrates poplar grove: a grove of Euphrates poplars, trees whose main distribution in Israel is along the Jordan River. The poplars are particularly beautiful with their yellow autumn tones in winter. They stand out in the aridity of the place. <\/li>Caves of the monks<\/strong>In Byzantine times, the caves were used by monks seeking the seclusion and tranquillity of the canyon.<\/li>En Ma'arif viewpoint<\/strong>: Looking from the head of the canyon.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\nRoute description<\/h3>\n\n\n\n The path runs through the interior of the ravine. It starts at the north entrance and ends at the viewpoint at the south entrance. It is important to bear in mind that the final part of the route, with the ascent to the viewpoint (south entrance) is only one way. There are several flights of stairs on very steep terrain that can only be tackled by ascending (descending is forbidden). Bearing all this in mind, we have two options: to tackle the route in one direction and have a vehicle to pick us up at the viewpoint, or not to do the whole route (2 to 3 hours) (at least the final part we mentioned) and return to the north entrance from where we started the route (1 to 2 hours). <\/p>\n\n\n\n