If you arrive at least a couple of hours before dark, this is an easy stroll to stretch your legs after the drive to the desert, a taste of what’s to come. Early morning before breakfast is also a good time for this short and level walk (one hour) but take a peaked hat as the sun will be in your eyes.
You can often see an ibex on sentinel duty atop this standing stone placed by Ezra Orion…
…and just behind the stone, to the left of it is a green gate in a fence that surrounds the village.
Once you pass through, follow the green markings (white-green-white) for about half an hour.
The path follows the contours of the cliff to your right with the conical Hod Akev constantly in view.
After a sharp turn right, you approach a promontory flattened by Ezra Orion on which he planted steel railway sidings which suggest to me a silent cocktail party.
Of course you haven’t come for the drinks, you are here for the 300° panorama over Nahal Tzin.
The seasons do not impact the landscape, this is not Maine or the Black Forest. But every day – almost every hour – there is a subtle effect of light, visibility and temperature which produces different colors and tone. Local artist Michal Peleg has captured this in a small photo album.
If you are there in the morning, you may want to hike further to Har Tzaror, my favorite hike in the area.
