Hidden from sight: the hidden pools of Nahal Perat - voila! tourism

Water pools, Nahal Euphrates (Wadi Kelt) (Photo: Eyal Shapira)

You can't get used to it.

For that moment when you are walking along your itinerary, and then, without any preparation in advance, you hear the water.

You don't see them yet, but that wet sound surrounds you, pulls you forward by the nose and your walk becomes more brisk.

All to see with your eyes what you have been hearing for long minutes in your ears.

In short, those who say "as happy as a child in a toy store" have never seen "as happy as a traveler in the desert hearing water".

And then it comes - and you find yourself the little piece of God.

and one more.

and one more.

This is exactly what is beautiful about the Euphrates stream (Wadi Kelt) in the north of the Judean desert: this stream is always surprising, you can always find more pools, pools, and rambling corners in it that are a small and personal oasis.

Always surprising and you can find more pools, waterfalls and swimming corners.

Nahal Perat (photo: Eyal Shapira)

A small and personal oasis.

Wadi Kelt-Nahal Perat (Photo: Eyal Shapira)

Secrets are hidden even in a non-secret stream

The Euphrates River has long been no secret.

It seems that during the Corona period, everyone discovered this beautiful nature reserve, and attacked it.

Most of the attention was captured by the three main springs of the stream, which begins its life near Jerusalem and spills about 30 km later in the northern Dead Sea area, near Jericho. These springs are Ein Perat - a regulated complex to which entrance is paid, as well as Ein Maboa and Ein Kelt, to which entrance is free.

But between these three points, there are many more great hidden corners. So why not Because not everyone can or wants to go on a desert walk that lasts more than a few minutes.

So, since spring has already given its start, it's time to throw aside the charcuterie, put on the swimsuit and hit the road.

You will get all the technical details at the end of the article.

Here we go.

A lesser known baptismal site in Wadi Kelt.

The gorge pool in Nahal Perat (photo: Eyal Shapira)

From this high point you can watch most of your itinerary (photo: Eil Shapira)

The view grabs the eyes and does not let go

The starting point of this beautiful route is in Matzfar Shacharit, next to the entrance square to the settlement Nopi Perat.

And what's beautiful about this starting point is not only the desert landscape that grabs your eyes and doesn't let go, but mainly the fact that from this high point you can view most of your itinerary, including the end point area.

And this is definitely a big advantage for types who like to know where they come from and where they are going.

Matzpor Shacharit houses several benches facing the view and shade trees - an excellent spot for a morning snack plus coffee.

From here you descend on a route marked green.

Please note: the route is clearly visible in the field, but does not appear in some navigation applications.

The descent is a bit steep, and if you are with children, walk with them carefully.

In a few minutes you will be assimilated into the desert landscape, and this is the place to know that although it winds through a desert expanse, the Euphrates River is abundant with water all year round thanks to the rainwater that permeates the Judean Mountains area and bursts forth here with joy.

This stream has always attracted hermits, monks and prophets, including Jeremiah and Elijah.

They too, like you, followed the water and stayed thanks to the cheapness.

After about 700 meters of descent, that moment comes when the sound of the water is clearly heard.

A few tens of meters more, and you are already on the water.

Now, look for the blue trail marker, and turn right (east) with it.

Within a minute and a half you will reach one of the most beautiful pools of the Perth River: the gorge pool, into which a busy waterfall falls.

With the help of metal pegs (another element that every boy and girl will be happy to adopt on a trip) you reach an excellent observation point on the water.

If you are interested in taking a dip, continue east a few more meters on the blue path, bypass the gorge pool from the side and reach it from where it is shallow.

The water is cold.

Not frozen, but definitely tolerable.

And if you are children, you won't feel the cold at all.

Because children, when they are excited to meet water on a trip - they are never cold.

Check.

Spring days are days when the Judean Desert is still green with vegetation (Photo: Eyal Shapira)

In Nahal Perat there are many places where you can sit by the pool comfortably (Photo: Eyal Shapira)

Must take a picture under the waterfall

The blue path continues beside the stream, and it will provide you with additional resting points by the water.

Take your time, because this trip is shorter than you think.

Another 15-20 minute walk, and you've reached another pool.

It doesn't have an official name, but it has a devout local fan base, and there is a great chance that you will meet here teenagers from Kfar Adumim and Euphrates Landscapes, who have adopted the place and skip to it lightly from their home just like your children skip to the public park next to you.

Here, too, there is deep water and a noisy waterfall, but unlike the gorge pool, there are many places where you can comfortably sit by the pool.

Just keep in mind that on weekends it can get a bit busy here.

So come early, or on a weekday.

Yes, it's definitely worth taking time off work for this place.

After you've dipped, swum, dived and asked strangers to take pictures of you under the waterfall, it's time to do what you've been repressing all the time you've been having fun: climb back up.

To do this, continue east with the blue path and after exactly a minute and a half you reach a fork in the paths.

Now turn right to a path marked black, which will take you up, to the end point.

The climb is not easy, but if you take breaks, it is definitely tolerable.

In fact, it seems that there is no climb that is too difficult - some people are in too much of a hurry.

So take your time again, climb easy, enjoy the view, and the destination will be reached much faster than you thought.

This destination is the six-pointed bird next to the village of Kfar Adumim.

This impressive landscape bird commemorates six travelers who were murdered by terrorists in the 1990s while hiking in Nahal Perat:

From the six birdhouses, after you catch your breath, walk to the side of the road that leads from Kfar Adumim to the Euphrates landscape, to the vehicle that is waiting for you - a matter of about 800 meters.

And of course it's better to send a driver on duty to bring the car, while you steal a few more minutes in front of the amazing view of Nahal Perat, and promise yourself to get here again very soon.

One of the most beautiful pools of Nahal Perat: the gorge pool, into which a busy waterfall falls (photo: Eyal Shapira)

Arrival and other matters

The length of the route:

about 3.5 km. Difficulty level: medium. Suitable for families who love walking.

"Mitzpe Shacharit" in Wise (at the entrance square to the Nopi Perat settlement).

You can also do a shortened linear route (about 3 km ): go down to the river from Mitzpe Shacharit, dip in the ravine pool, and return to the car the same way.

the route is located in the territory of Yosh. It is not recommended to walk it alone. The water pools in the stream are not a regulated bathing site and the entrance to them is the responsibility of the travelers. Jumping into the water is dangerous due to the presence of large rocks in the pools.

• tourism

Tags

• Euphrates River

• And Eddie understood

• springs

• water trip