The Eshkol National Park is a nature park and recreational area in the north-west Negev in Israel, it lies north in the course of the Nahal Besor (Bsor) resp. of the Besor Stream watercourse. The Gaza Strip is within a short driving distance (currently not accessible to tourists).
 Eshkol National Park | ||
| Eshkol, Nahal Besor, Nahal Bsor | ||
| district | Negev | |
|---|---|---|
| height | unknown | |
no value for height on Wikidata:  | ||
| Tourist information Tel | (0)8-998-5110 | |
| no tourist info on Wikidata: | ||
| location | ||
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background
The riverbed of the Nahal Besor begins in the Tsiporim Plateau west of Sde Boker, the wadi (or Nahal) runs in a westerly direction, historically it was given different names in different sections, which gave rise to a certain confusion.
Most of the river valley, apart from areas around springs, falls dry in summer, further west towards Gaza the river valley then falls dry and does not reach the Mediterranean coast. In winter, the creek with hardly any water in summer can swell enormously with the heavy rains in a quite large catchment area and could shape the landscape through erosion. The course of the river was able to dig deep into the Loess rock layer, so that the river valley lies below the plateau level.
The Eshkol National Park, which is also called Nahal Besor Park is a local recreation area operated jointly by the Jewish National Fund and the Israel National Parks Authority with ponds created at a temperature of 20 degrees in a reforested park area.
The Nahal Besor lies in its course under nature protection, one Scenic route allows you to experience the river valley by private vehicle. On this gravel road or specially created Bicycle trails you can explore the nature park by bike or hike through the hiking trails. In the southeastern section, the river valley is spanned by Israel's only pedestrian suspension bridge.
landscape
The river valley has carved itself into the flat plateau as a wide canyon. Even if water only flows (or stands) in short sections in summer, the groundwater flow allows palm trees, trees and reeds to grow in the river valley floor.
Flora and fauna
Numerous birds can be observed along the river valley, in addition to birds of prey, one can see collared bustards (Chlamydotis undulata), triele (Burhinus oedicnemus) and the hoopoe (Upupa epops).
From the flora, which can be admired especially in spring after the downpours of the winter months, the crowned anemone (Anemona coronaria) is particularly worth mentioning, which is in bloom from January to April. There is also a population of the Negev iris, which bloom at the beginning of March. In autumn the sea onions (Drimia / Scilla maritima) begin to sprout their inflorescences from the onions in the ground.
climate
In the Negev there is an arid desert climate, the most pleasant visits are in the early morning hours (then the wildlife is still more active), in the evening the park closes before sunset, before the coolness of the desert sets in.
The visit is less sweaty between late autumn and spring than in midsummer - the winter and spring months are also recommended because of the flowering period of the vegetation.
getting there
The west of Beer Sheva The nature park near the Gaza Strip is best reached with your own vehicle: from the well-developed road 40 from the north towards Beer Sheva if you turn south of Rahat on the street 310 after a short distance on the 25 one branches to the 241 direction Ofakim and continues on the after the branch to the place 241 to the junction at the park entrance.
From the coastal highway 4 from the north one takes in Ashkelon the street 25 in the direction Beer Sheva to then also at Gilat on the 241passing in a westerly direction Ofakim to the park entrance.
Fees / permits
.
mobility
Locally one moves on foot or to the parking lot at the former railway bridge with the private vehicle; the area of the local recreation area is for 
Mostly wheelchair accessible with few restrictions, some inclines have to be overcome.
Tourist Attractions
- the heart of the 2 Eshkol Park is a partly shaded area with several "wading pools" fed from a warm spring (paddling ponds with knee-hip deep water), picnic tables and benches, one pond can also be used for fishing. Here there are toilet facilities and a snack bar with a range of drinks and ice cream.
- the 3 Old Railway BridgeOld railway bridge is in the southwestern rear part of the park: the British Army had built a bridge over the Besor Stream here when the strategically important railway line from Rafah (Egypt) to Be'er Sheva was built. The wooden construction over the Besor Stream was reconstructed, the original concrete foundations can still be seen in the river bed.
- the 4 Besor Scenic Route leads from the street 241 along the course of the Nahal Besor towards the south. The gravel road can be driven at a leisurely pace with a private vehicle and leads past various viewpoints up to Tze Elim on the street 222.
- at the 5 Tel Sharuhe became witnesses of the ancient settlement Scharuhe excavated, which is mentioned in Egyptian writings and also in the book of Joshua. The hill was inhabited from the Bronze Age (17th century BC) to Roman times, it was excavated by Petrie in 1928/29. In the northern section, a courtyard paved with river pebbles of the Egyptian governor's palace, part of an Assyrian brick wall and the remains of a Roman fortress have been preserved. Ottoman - Turkish positions were located here until 1917, the British - Australian troops of the ANZAC took the area on their campaign to the north in 1917.
- the 6 Revuva Well is a fountain that was built towards the end of the 19th century. Created by the Ottomans to supply the Bedouins with water and renewed in 1933 under the British Mandate.
- the 7 Reservoir lookout lies in the area of Shellal, where the British soldiers on the Gaza - Be'er Sheva Front built large water reservoirs in 1917 to supply the animals. Newly built water reservoirs are used for irrigation purposes for agriculture.
- the 8 Suspended Bridge crosses the watercourse. The suspension bridge is the only one of its kind in Israel and a popular excursion destination, respectively. Starting point for hikes.
- from 9 Tze Elim Tower from there is a beautiful view over the Nahal Besor. The observation tower is located near the south entrance on the street 222.
activities
- picnic in Eshkol Park, in the pools the children can splash around
- the Scenic route can be driven with your own private vehicle, one Bike route runs south from Tze Elim Tower until Eshkol Park and continues north to Tel Jemmeh (Tel Gama).
- Marked hiking trails run on both sides of the river; the length of the hike can be planned individually.
- the region around the Nahal Besor is known for Bird watching ("Birding")
shop
Apart from the snack bar, there are no shops on site.
kitchen
There is a snack bar on site for drinks, ice cream and snacks; at water points and at the toilet facilities drinking water points.
accommodation
- , sanitary facilities, showers and cooking facilities are available in the camping area.
security
The security situation is harmless with regard to crime, various parking spaces are located in the park area near the ponds and the former railway bridge.
Due to the sparse population, the park has never been a target for rocket attacks by Palestinian extremists despite its relative proximity to the Gaza Strip.
trips
- Visiting the Nabataean cities in the Negev, above all the relatively close ones should be mentioned Shivta, but also Avdat and Mamshit.
- the ruins of the 10 Ma'on synagogue with a remarkable mosaic floor are located near Kibbutz Nirim
- near Ofakim are the ruins of the Byzantine place Futis (Φώτις), which is located on the site of the ancient city of Patish: 11 Horvat Patish (Horbat Patish).
literature
- Israel National Parks & Nature Reserves, Azaria Alon, engl., ISBN 978-965-220-705-0
- a Tour map of the region in Hebrew is available on site, information at www.habsor.co.il
