Southern Points of Interest

  The sulfur mines - the sulfur deposit in the Be'eri area was discovered during WWI by Australian and New Zealand soldiers who were in the area. In 1933, an English-Arab company began mining the sulfur and did the initial processing. In 1946, after about 10,000 tons of sulfur had been produced, the deposit and mine were depleted, and the factory next to it was closed. Today, one will find the abandoned factory building, a deep water well and a strong sulfur odor....

A broad northward observation point and a tourist attraction for thousands of travelers in the area. From this bird's-eye lookout, one can view the Habsor reservoir complex, which supplies water to irrigate the agricultural fields of the Western Negev. In addition, the observatory allows a comprehensive view of the Yatir area and Be'er Sheva, as far as Ashkelon. In the evening, one can see the spectacular twinkling lights of all the nearby settlements. Photography credit: Eyal Bribram...

General information: Tour type: A short hike and an observatory Tour duration: 1-2 hours. Difficulty level: Medium. Rest Rooms on-site: None. Possible picnic points: Picnic tables at the foot of the mound. Getting there: The entrance to the mound from road 232, about 100 meters south of the Re'im junction. Access is well-signed and suitable for any vehicle. The mound is clearly visible from the road. Opening hours: Open all year round. WAZE - Tel Gama Observatory Tel Gama (Gama Mound) is a peripheral observation point over most of the territory of the Habsor region. The mound calls for observation and a bit of hiking to cover the entire scope. It is recommended to go down from the mound and around it toward the northern turn, then go down into Habsor stream and walk near the mound eastward. When you approach the shadow of the mound, lift your gaze, and you can see nesting birds in the loess soil, remnants of mud bricks...

Tel Haror (Arabic: Tell Abu Hureyra) is a large mound in the Negev, located on the northern bank of Nahal Gerar, near Moshav Shibolim. The mound spreads across about 150 square km, divided into two parts - the lower and upper cities. At the top of the hill, there is a WWI era Turkish cemetery, including Sheikh Abu Hureyra's tomb, after whom the mound was named. Until Israel's War of Independence, the Arab residents of the area used to go to the grave and make sacrifices during an entire week.  Nowadays, Tel Haror is a place of pilgrimage for Muslims seeking marriage. Photography Credit: Dror Lavi...

General information: Tour type: Observatory and blossom tour Tour duration: Approximately 1 hour. Difficulty level: Low Rest Rooms on-site: None. Possible picnic points: None. Opening hours: Open WAZE : Anemones Hill - The graves of Ariel and Lily Sharon Anemones Hill (previously called "Lily's Hill" ) is a mound in front of the sycamore farm. About the site: Ancient mound, currently used as the burial estate of Ariel Sharon and his wife, Lily Sharon; An observation point on the Shikma stream area and a site where anemones bloom in season. What can one see? Observation point, spring blossoms and the Sharon burial plot. A view from the hill: To the North - you can see The Sycamore Farm and the Shikma stream, the main stream in the area, where all other streams drain. To the South - agricultural fields. To the East - you can see Kibbutz Dorot, which belongs to Sha'ar HaNegev Regional Council. To the West -you can see the ruins of the Khirbet...

One of the longest suspension bridges in Israel. The 80m bridge stretches between the two banks of the ravine and above a natural pool of water that is full all year round. (It is not recommended to enter the water!) Turtles can be seen in the water when looking down from the bridge Beyond the bridge on the loess cliff, there is a monument commemorating two members of Kibbutz Mashabei Sadeh, who were killed at this place in an ATV accident. How to get there: The bridge is best accessed from the southern side of the Besor Trail. Drive north from Tzeelim Junction (Route no. 222) for about a kilometer and turn right at the Besor Trail (blue markings). You will arrive at the bridge after about two minutes’ drive along the blue-marked dirt road.    ...

General Information: Tour Type: Observation point. Short tours possible. Track Duration: 1-1.5 hours Difficulty Level: Low Rest Rooms on-site: None. Possible picnic points: 8 picnic tables at the entrance to the site Getting there: Drive south on road 232 towards the Rafah border crossing. After about 21 km, you will reach the Avshalom junction, continue for another 2 km and turn left, following the brown signs pointing to the monument. After 1 more km, you will recognize the entrance to the site between avenues of palm trees. Tour starting point and ending point: the starting point is the Steel Division (Ha-Plada) monument; the endpoint is the access road to Camp Amitai, the "Yamit Walls" site. WAZE – Ha-Plada Monument About the site: A memorial to the fallen of the Steel Division in the battles over the Gaza Strip and the Sinai in the Six-Day War, including an observation point from which one can see the border triangle of Egypt, Israel and Gaza. What...

General information: Tour type: Observation Tour duration: 1 hour Difficulty level: Low Rest Rooms on-site: None. About the observation point: In the center of this bird's-eye lookout, 20 wind chimes are hung, playing their music as the wind blows through, spreading their melody across the top of the hill. Each flute represents one year in the life of Assaf, who used to graze Nir Am's cattle herds in this area when he was a teenager. From the observation point, one can watch the birds that spend time in the reservoir and identify them by the paintings on the ceramic panels embedded in the reservoir's railing. The observatory also provides an excellent view of the Gaza Strip. WAZE - Asaf Siboni Observation Point...

Opening hours: The old Be'erot Yitzhak (Water Tower) site is open all year round, free of charge. Getting there? For those coming from road 4 or the Sa'ad Junction, drive 700 meters east on road 25 and turn south (right) to road 232. Drive 1.5 km and turn right onto a paved road following the directional signs to Be'erot Yitzhak. After about 1.5 km, turn left, drive about 800 meters next to the greenhouses and turn right to the water tower. For those coming from the south on road 232, driving North, the turn left is about 1.5 km after Kibbutz Alumin (just before the gas station). What can one find on-site? You can see the water tower of old Be'erot Yitzhak kibbutz, the well-kept garden, the commemorative corner and the explanatory plaques placed on-site. Difficulty level: Low Rest Rooms on-site: None. Possible picnic points: There is a shaded picnic table at the edge of the site. WAZE: The Old...

  To schedule your visit, please login to the Natural Parks and Nature Reserves Website and use their online booking system. HaBsor Stream: On the banks of HaBsor Stream stretches one of Israel's largest streams, exiting Eshkol Park, which is mostly man-made (KKL -JNF, the Natural Parks and Nature Reserves Authority and Merchavim Regional Council all partner in the development and operation of the park). The Park - A lush, green focal point for those touring the Northern Negev region. Each season "paints" the park and its surroundings in different hues and shades, and from February-March the entire area is dyed in "anemone ruby" - a breathtaking sight that beckons us to leave our homes, go out to nature and rejoice in these 'blossoms'. The park entrance - West of Ofakim. You can reach the park from Yad Mordechai Junction, Magen Junction, and Gilat Junction. The springs burst out of the ground in several locations, and...

The Shikma Reservoir was created with the construction of the Shikma Creek floodgate, which holds back floodwaters before they reach the sea. The floodgate was constructed by the neighboring Kibbutzim during the 1950s and was used to water agricultural fields. A decade later, the reservoir was transferred to Mekorot company's care to introduce groundwater and enrich the coastal aquifer. The reservoir's water is pumped and transferred to percolation and infiltration basins located at its northern point. Photography Credit: Cover photo - Rachel Evron Content page photos - Shira Bloch Lifshitz...

General information: Tour type: Observatory  Tour duration: Approximately 45 minutes. Difficulty level: Low Rest Rooms on-site: None. Possible picnic points: There is a picnic table in the parking lot. Getting there: From Kibbutz Be'eri, continue on the tourist sites road that goes out and branches a little before the kibbutz gate. When you reach the fork, continue to the right and drive straight to the T intersection. At the intersection, turn right and climb along the concrete path until you reach the sign instructing a left turn toward the monument. WAZE – Anzac Monument About the site: A monument commemorating WWI Anzac soldiers (Australian and New Zealand armed corps) who were killed in the Land of Israel - some in battles in the south during the occupation of Gaza. The site offers a beautiful lookout at the area and the border with Gaza. Combining this site with a tour of the Sulfur Factory, Old Be'eri Nakhbir and the Bitronot Be'eri Reserve is recommended. What can...

Ofakim Park: From Gilat Interchange, on the Be'er Sheva-Netivot road ( 25), drive west about 4 km to the entrance to the city of Ofakim. Drive south along the main street (Herzl Street) and turn left on HaHida Street, which leads straight to the park gate. With the colorful flower statue, Safra Square welcomes  visitors to the park. Finding open plains and fields stretching to the horizon, in our little country, without some mountain or city "disrupting" the rest of the landscape is tricky. Such landscapes can be seen almost exclusively in the Western Negev. We chose to walk in such a landscape, where the channel of Ofakim Stream carves its way through the plains on its way to Nahal Gerar. It is hard to believe that there were dozens of prosperous settlements during Byzantine times in this arid region, and where Israel dared to build a city in 1955. But looking carefully at...

The Armistice House is the site where the IDF and Egyptian army armistice delegations met after the Six-Day War. The discussions, aimed at investigating violations of agreements and settling disputes, took place at the 95th kilometer on the Mefalsim-Gaza road, the crossing point between Israel and the Gaza Strip. Prisoners of the "Bat Galim" ship stopped in the Suez Canal in 1954, and the bodies of IDF soldiers killed at the "Sinai Operations" in 1956 were also returned here. Photography credit: Yaakov Shkolnik...

The tube bridge is located near the longest suspension bridge in Israel, which is well-known and beloved, attracting tens of thousands of travelers every year, during all seasons and especially during floods, when vast surges of water flow in the stream and provide a spectacular view. One may walk between these two bridges in a circular route stretching along the Habsor stream, on foot or by bicycle. The distance between the two bridges is about 4 km, and the circular route continues for about 7 km....

The Black Arrow Monument - "Armistice House"  General information: Tour Type: Driving, Monument/Observation point, Picnic site. Track time: Up to 1 hour Difficulty level: Low Rest Rooms on-site: Yes Possible picnic points: The site offers picnic tables, water fountains, kids' playground - all in shaded areas. Getting there:  How to get there: Those coming from the North on road 232, immediately after the entrance to Kibbutz Mefalsim, continue on the right and turn right at the bend following the signage. For those coming from the South on 232, pass Kfar Gaza, and before turning to Kibbutz Mefalsim, turn left at the bend, following the signage. Opening hours: open at all times (pending the security situation) WAZE: Black Arrow Monument About the site: Part of the paratroopers' heritage sites, from the retaliation acts of 1953-1956. The site depicts 11 operations, including the "Kadesh" operation (i.e. the "Suez Crisis"), out of 70 operations the paratroopers carried out in that period. There's also a lookout on the Gaza Strip, a...

Across the road from Kibbutz Ruhama, there's a hidden gem: a stunning grove featuring mats of anemones (in season). After the rain, it is recommended to arrive with 4x4 vehicles only. Ruins of the Arab village of Gmama - Remains of mud houses in this Arab village, established in the 19th century by the Kharatis (tenant farmers) who worked the land in the territory of the Bedouin Al Atauna tribe, and who abandoned the village in 1948. The village's name is from the Arab word Gmam, meaning plenty of water, probably because of the abundant water wells in the vicinity. The village was built on the ruins of an ancient Byzantine settlement. There are also remnants of a Byzantine monastery nearby.  ...

The nature reserve extends south of Kibbutz Karmiya, east of the Shikma stream. Its uniqueness lies in the high groundwater on the border between the shifting sands and the heavy loam soil. White acacia trees grow there, marking Israel as the northernmost boundary of their global distribution. At the end of winter, the reserve blooms with diverse wildflowers like the Allium Tel-Avivense, Lupinus Palaestinus and others....

Opening hours: open all year round Getting there: Drive south on road 232. Turn right at Holilt Interchange to road 240. After about 1 km, you will pass a turn to Kibbutz Sufa. Continue a few dozen meters and turn right. After about 70 meters, turn right again to the site (a brown sign marks the spot). The site offers plenty of parking, accessible parking and pathway. Difficulty level: Low Rest Rooms on-site: None. Possible picnic points: At the entrance to the site, there are picnic tables and water fountains. WAZE: Nirim (Dangour) monument. Origin of the name Dangour: These lands, where Kibbutz Nirim was first established and currently occupy the Kibbutzim Holit, Sufa and Nir Yitzhak - were bought before WWI by Rabbi Shalom Dangour, a native of Baghdad, who served as the rabbi of the Jewish Community in Egypt and purchased these lands for Jewish settlement. What can one find on-site? A monument for those...