Mishmar Stream

A hike to Nahal Mishmar! A hike in the “Challenges on the Trails” series. A spectacular canyon with dramatic walls that “cuts” through the fault escarpment in the Judean Desert and descends to the Dead Sea. A challenging route involving walking over boulders, using iron rungs and ropes, crossing pools, and climbing cliffs.

Meeting point – start and finish: Nahal Mishmar overnight campground (near Route 90, south of Kibbutz Ein Gedi).

We will ascend along the northern side of the stream, following the red trail above the canyon carved beneath us. After approximately 4 km of walking above the stream, we will reach the junction with the blue trail, which we will take on the way back through the canyon. We will continue uphill along the blue trail, then turn onto the black trail toward Ein Mishmar—a beautiful spring flowing at the base of the waterfall. Most of the year, the spring contains good swimming water.

We will return through the stream gorge. We will cross pools (after floods) and descend with the help of iron rungs.

Walking duration: 5–6 hours
Distance: 12 km round trip from the overnight campground near Route 90
Elevation differences: -400+

The Nahal Mishmar hoard was discovered in 1961 as part of an operation to search for additional hidden scrolls. Following the discovery of the Judean Desert Scrolls, many archaeological expeditions set out for the Judean Desert. One expedition, led by Pesach Bar-Adon, found Chalcolithic-period artifacts in a cave near the top of the high waterfall on the northern cliff of Nahal Mishmar. The cave is now known as the Cave of the Treasure.

The hoard, hidden in a niche in a remote corner of a Chalcolithic dwelling cave and wrapped in a mat, consisted of 442 objects: 429 made of copper, including scepters and ivory vessels; six objects made of hematite; one made of stone; five made from a hippopotamus tusk; and one made from an elephant tusk. (Wikipedia)

Length: 4 km
Duration: 3 hours
Target audience: Experienced hikers
Cost: 180 NIS
Arrival: Self-arranged