The Makhtesh katan (also Small crater, Hebrew הַמַּכְתֵּשׁ הַקָּטָן) is the smallest of the three erosion craters (Makhteshim) in the central one Negev, its area is protected as a national park.
background
The Makhteshim are a geological phenomenon typical of the Negev desert (and the Sinai), which - although they look like meteorite impact or volcanic craters - arose in a completely different way.
The erosion craters were all created in the same way: the primordial sea deposits a sediment that turns into limestone, the sand below is compacted into sandstone. As a result of a folding, elevations have formed in a northeast - southwest direction, which rise up as islands in the primordial sea and erode, exposing the sandstone. With the opening of the Jordan Rift and the rise of the plateau, the sea level receded, the streams running to the Jordan Rift washed away the soft sandstone for millions of years, the crater edges, protected from erosion by the limestone cover, remained and developed into the mountains on the crater edge.
history
Small Makhtesh was first measured by Jewish researchers in 1942.
Immediately west of the Makhtesh runs the Old Road to Eilat: those today as 227 The road named above was built by the British Mandate Government in 1927 and was initially roughly gravel: it connected Kurnov (with the police station, today Mamshit) with the Arava Depression and Eilat (then known as Um el Rashrash). In 1949 the road connection was used by the Golan Brigade in the "Operation Ovdah" (conquest of the southern Negev as far as Eilat in the independence war) and in 1950 it was paved. Until the new road is built with the "Freedom Ascent", the ascent through the Makhtesh Ramon Mitzpe Ramon, in 1953 the narrow road remained the main connection to Eilat.
landscape
The Makhtesh Katan is the smallest of the three large erosion craters, it measures 5 x 7.7 km, the difference in altitude between the level bottom of the crater (around 0 m) and the surrounding mountain cliffs (approx. 480 m above sea level) is almost 500 m.
The exit of the Makhtesh is formed by a relatively narrow gorge in the southeast, which only carries water at times Nahal Hatzera leaves the crater here, the last section of the road was secured with concrete to protect it from undercutting. In the southwest lies on a cliff the Makhtesh Katan Lookout.
Flora and fauna
In the dry bottom of the crater (in the Nahal Hatzera, which drains the crater, water only flows in the time of rainfall in the winter months), some desert vegetation (Saharo-Arab flora) only grows in the winter / spring months, besides some bushes there are few in the crater Trees.
climate
The Makhtesh has an arid desert climate, the annual rainfall is very low here in the northern Negev.
getting there
By public transport
In the desert city Dimona there is a connection to the Israeli railway network, the rarely operated railway line (it mainly serves to transport goods) runs to Beer Sheva. From Dimona, the Makhtesh Katan is practically only accessible by private vehicle.
In the street
To the Makhtesh Katan Lookout the edge of the cliff can be reached by going from Dimona off on the 25 drives eastwards, at the Rotem Junction you turn onto the one leading in a southerly direction 206 a. The narrow one 227 leads between sections of restricted military area ("Firing Zone") to the southeast; even if it is banned from driving, you can drive to the junction to the lookout. From the with Old Road to Eilat marked route goes to a red and white marked gravel road Small Makhtesh lookout from.
Continuing on the old one Scorpions Ascent ("Ma'ale Aqqrabim") is meanwhile (2018) with a driving ban and blocked.
To get to the bottom of the crater, you have to cover a longer distance via the south-east access if you don't want to go down to the bottom of the crater on foot. From the main street 25 of Dimona in the Arava Valley A gravel road, which is only asphalted at the beginning but can be easily driven by private car, leads to the gorge leading out of the Makhtesh.
Fees / permits
Access to the entire Makhtesh Katan is free, the protected areas may only be visited from sunrise to one hour before sunset.
mobility
The access to the Makhtesh is easy to drive with a private car, the access road in the Makhtesh to the designated parking lot can only be driven with four-wheel drive vehicles with high ground clearance due to the washed-out bumps. The best way to park your private car is just before the turning area on the concrete driveway at the exit or entrance to the crater. The short distance in the Makhtesh itself is easy to cover on foot, in the Maktesh Katan you can only get around on foot anyway.
Tourist Attractions
- from 1 Makhtesh Katan Lookout, which is over a gravel road and a short walk from the street 227 can be reached, there is an impressive view of the Makhtesh.
- the Israel National Trail, the ascent from the bottom of Makhtesh is on the 1 Eli Ascent reaches the height of the cliff above the crater a little north.
- From the exit of the Makhtesh, the Nahal Hatzera, two footpaths lead through the Makhtesh. The 2 The red and white marked route leads first through a picturesque canyon, then on the path of the Eli Ascent to lead to the crater rim. The 3 blue-white route leads north and leads to the rim of the crater.
activities
- Hiking in Makhtesh Katan: the Little Makhtesh with its different colored rock formations is considered to be one of the most scenic erosion craters
shop
The next options for shopping for everyday items are in the town Dimona, at best in the petrol station shop on HaArava Junction between streets 25 and 90.
kitchen
There are no places to stop off at Makhtesh Katan, snack bars and restaurants can be found in Dimona.
accommodation
camping
- you can simply stay overnight on the 1 Rosh Maale Aqrabim Campground at the entrance to the Lookout and on the 2 Campground at the entrance to the bottom of Makhtesh.
security
- Crime is not a problem in the Negev desert, although it is advised against obviously leaving valuables in the vehicle. In the desert, there is more danger from heat and lack of fluids, the article provides information on safety measures Hiking in Israel.
trips
- The erosion craters are just as worth seeing Makhtesh Ramon and Makhtesh Gadol.
- the excavations of the Nabataean city are not far away in the northwest 1 Mamshit (near Dimona)
