Ein Bokek Nature Reserve
Ein Bokek is a stream canyon with a yearlong flow of the Bokek Stream leading to a spectacular desert oasis within a narrow canyon. Because of its high shaded walls, it can be quite cool even in the summer. The entrance is located close to the hotels on Route 90. This water hike is quite easy and very suitable for families. Understandably, the reserve can get quite crowded.
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Time: About 2 hours there and back.
Distance: About 2 to 3 km there and back.
Type of walk: Same way there and back.
Difficulty: This is a water hike in a shallow stream and you should bring water shoes. In the summer, the water may be shallow enough to maneuver on the dry bank in hiking boots, but this can be difficult. It is a relatively easy hike and very suitable for families.
Directions and parking: Enter “Wadi Bokek” into Waze. Parking is in a parking lot by the road.
Admision: This site is run by the Israel Parks and Nature Authority. Admission is currently free. There is a kiosk. There is no brochure. There are seasonal hours. Entry is up to one hour before closing time.​
By the entrance to the park, you will se the ruins of a Byzantine fortress on your right, and you can climb up to this. On your far left are the ruins of a Roman pool and aqueduct system.
By the trail are reeds and tamarisk. You will eventually come to a pool with a waterfall, although some people turn back when the canyon opens up. It is possible to hike even beyond the pool up the cliff, but this is more difficult.
Unlike the springs in the Judean Mountains which are layer springs exposed by erosion of a valley, this spring is a fault spring, exposed by a geological fault.
Fortress from the Byzantine period that would have guarded the water source.