From the overnight parking lot we will go west on a dirt path until we cross the road that goes south to Eilat or north to Iruham. We will follow the markings of the Israel Trail to the west up the hill from the eastern side of the intersection. We will reach the top of the ridge and continue walking on the path along the ridge line that changes gradually during the ascent. We will walk 2.3 km along the ridge and go down to a low saddle on which we will continue a little less than two km until we reach Masad Tsefir. This is one of three small citadels, built in order to secure traffic on the ancient perfume road during the Nabatean-Roman-Byzantine period. We will continue about 50 meters west to Masad Zefar, and we will reach an intersection of paths where we will turn towards the northwest along the path with the blue marking (where the Israel Path marking continues at the same time). We will go down a path with a very moderate slope into a wadi and after about 2.3 km we will cross another wadi where you can see an acacia tree about 100 meters to our left. Impressive in the hard limestone that builds the bedrock of the river channel. At this point we can see the continuation of the Nahal Yamin and Nahal Hatira channels. We will move forward on the path marked - green, which is integrated with the marking of the Israel Trail down the stream. On the way down, caution is required due to loose rocks and steep rock faces. At the bottom of the stream we will continue south 700 meters down the channel between acacia trees and saltbush. We will reach the confluence of the Yamin and Hatira streams - this is a trail junction. At this meeting point you will notice the acacia tree partially covered with a plant with red flowers. This is the shitt harnog, a rootless parasitic plant, whose feeding tubes penetrate into the branches of the acacia. Camels and other herbivores prefer the fleshy leaves of the hernog over the tiny, thorn-covered leaves of the host (the acacia tree), so they chop the parasite in order to satisfy their hunger and thus prevent it from completely taking over and killing the acacia. Upon arriving at the confluence of the streams, we will turn towards the northwest up Nahal Hatira following the green markings and the Israel Trail markings. We will continue for 2 kilometers until we reach a sort of dead end in the form of two waterfalls, considering the steep cliffs blocking our way. This steep obstacle forced the Palmach rangers, during a journey in 1944, to create a new passage between the center of the Negev mountain and the Arabah. During a trip to get to know the area, which lasted 21 days of walking in the desert, the Palmach rangers came to make Nahal Hatira, in their request a way to the source The water in Ein Yirkaem. The young warriors made a new way through the cliff by cutting with pickaxes as well as using ropes and sticks, pulling each other up the cliff. The determination of the Palmachniks allowed them to complete the secret journey, without the British soldiers discovering them in the area, since the Negev was forbidden to Jews in those days according to the laws of the British Mandate. We will now climb up the steep trail on the west side of the canyon through the rock slide, and then climb the ladder and continue walking along a narrow path with steps and metal railings. At the very end of the narrow section, look at the rock face to your left and look for the inscription commemorating the breaking of the pass in 1944. From here we must continue up the canyon along the green trail markings and the Israel Trail and after 800 meters climb from the stream on the right bank (northwest). After 200 meters you will see a path marked "transparent" that branches off to the left (to the southwest), and we turn to it down ancient steps carved into the rock, leading to Ein Yirkam - an important source of water throughout history in this area, and the immediate destination of the young Palmachniks in 1944. After a rainy winter, Filled with large bodies of water, it's a great place for a cool dip. We will return to the path with the green marking and after 500 meters we will reach the Ein Yirkam parking lot and the Yerkam side, next to the Yerucham Crater. This is where our route ends. .
