Mitzpe Moab
Desert inside the city – Mitzpe Moab and Nahal Kidod.
Most of the sites in the Dead Sea region require a difficult journey on roads that are not exactly paved.
An unusual one is the route of Mitzpe Moab, which is located inside the city of Arad,
and is also the end point of the route in Nahal Kidod.
On Mitzpe Moab:
The city of Arad rose in the heart of the Judean desert. It is surrounded by fascinating sites.
We will find an organized map with walking paths surrounding the city, adapted to different levels of difficulty.
Some of these paths are Nahal Kidod and Mitzpe Yoav located at the end of this stream (located in the city of Arad itself).
On the route of Mitzpe Moab and Nahal Kidod:
We will start the route on the Arad – Masada road.
At the intersection of Tzur and Mishmar streets. There is a green marked trail that descends to the Kidod stream bed.
Already at the beginning of the path that passes behind the residential neighborhoods of Arad we can observe rock monkeys.
After walking 300 meters we will reach an area where there are stone bulbs.
The bulbs are actually rocks made of calcite – a type of limestone – formed around organic remains (a fish or bird skeleton for example)
And their fields can be found in several places throughout the country.
It is important to remember that the bulbs are a protected natural value and it is strictly forbidden to take them from the area.
We will continue on a recommended route to bypass a small waterfall located in the river bed, from here we can identify the channel all along the way.
In the area where the stream meets another tributary we can observe the caves on the banks of the stream and at a distance of 200 meters. Remains of Mogora (a cistern cut in the rock and stairs leading to it).
Next to the remains of the warehouse is another one, still intact.
We will continue to climb the path until we reach a branch that will direct us north to the river, where the first part leads us along an ancient canal.
After 300 meters we go down a relatively steep descent back to the river channel.
The route continues along the river bed.
The stream curves to the north, you go up the path that at this point turns south and continues uphill until Mitzpe Yoav.
This is the most challenging section of the route as it is steep and exposed to the sun and is one kilometer long.
Important Information about Mitzpe Moab:
Route length: 4 km.
For whom it is suitable: also for families with children.
Season: in all seasons, except during times when there is a risk of flooding.
Entrance: free of charge.
Equipment: protection from the sun, the route is completely exposed to it. Comfortable walking shoes and water.
The credit for the main image on the page is to: Neuklan, Wikipedia. and published under the license and conditions in the link below:
