A steep climbing on its slope is rewarding: it supplies a perfect observation over the landscapes of the Arava-valley. You can be assured that this trial is highly enjoyable and worth the terrain driving on the dirt road from the Arava Route into the depth of the Negev.

Some Comments

• The route is perfectly fit for bikers.  Leave your vehicles at HazevaField School and ride your bikes to Har Masor; however, the circular trail is suitable for seasoned hikers only.
• Although its length is only about 2.5 km, the trail is not easy to complete because of the non-simple climbing over its edge to the pinnacle, and the steep descending into the deep gorge, which sometimes during winter entails also water-full cistern crossing; therefore this trail is graded as a difficult one and it can fit for families which are experienced-walkers. Entering the area means visiting a training zone of the IDF so touring the route during weekdays is forbidden. You need to coordinate first with the army, but during weekends and holidays hiking is allowed and coordination is unneeded. 
• It is recommended to enter the area at least four hours before sunset.

Arriving There

Drive on the Arava route (no. 90) until Hazeva and Hazeva Field School. Southeast of Hazeva junction, on the right side of those who arrive from north, turn to a dirt road which is signed by the signpost Nahal Masor, marked-green in the trail marking system. This dirt road leads east [1 in our map]. The beginning of this dirt road is located 150 meters [492 feet] north to kilometer stone no. 155. Drive 12.4 km on this dirt road which is passable for private vehicles, but only if you are a very trustworthy driver. In the beginning of this road it is recommended to nullify the odometer, for gauging the distance of this drive.

Driving on the Dirt Road

After 2.2 km [1.4 miles] the road is crossed by another black-marked dirt road [2], which is called The Spring Axis because it cuts through springs that emanate from the outskirts of Nahal Arava [Arava canyon].

However, follow the Green-marked dirt road. After approximately 7 km [4.3 miles] from its beginning [3], the dirt road comes to a training zone of the Air Force which is called Shooting Target 90, and the remains of army cars and aircrafts (including two Skyhawk warplanes) that serve as targets there  are evident for the function of the zone.

After about 10 km [6.2 miles], the dirt road comes to a riverbed and it is well-felt when the car bumps over its gravel stones. Drive 1 km [0.62 m] further [4] on the riverbed until you'll meet with a perpendicular wall of the canyon that was dug and curved by the stream. At 12.4 km [7.7 miles] away from the beginning point, you arrive at the beginning point of the trail, e.g. the place where the green trail joins with thered one [5].

Walking There

Leave your vehicle at this point (do not leave valuables in the car, in case of car burglary) and start walking on the green trail. When it turns left it becomes a footpath only for hiking. Walk about 250 meters and start climbing on Masor Mountain, which could be seen surging above you [6]. The climbing on the sharp slope is not easy at all and toward the end it demands using your hands to lift yourselves with wedges that are stuck on the gradient. Occasionally it gets really scary even for the brave ones among us and you can use all limbs and backside to advance safely upward.

Masor Mountain

The spectacular view, which is seen from above warrants all the effort. It is recommended to stop here for making coffee and taking a light meal.  At this point on Masor Mountain, the height is 180 meters above sea-level and 150 meter above the ground. The outlook to the west includes (the horizon from north to south) the following settlements, Idan, Ein Hazeva, Hazeva and Ein Yahav. Beyond those Moshavim there are the heights of Edom Mountains, and below is the depth of Masor canyon, which continues like the immense canyons across the border at Edom Mountains and cuts through the topography toward Nahal Arava that drains its floodwaters to the Dead Sea. Nahal Arava is the only canyon in Israel that leads its floodwaters downstream from south to north, and there are some canyons in the Negev that empty their waters into it; henceforth  it covers a vast land that stretches from Nahal Paran at the south to Nahal Tzafit and Nahal Tamar at the north. Recognize below you the Nahal Masor, the "saw" canyon that "saws" the topography from west to east. This canyon, which is called Wadi Munshar or Wadi abu-Swira in Arabic, goes down from Machmal Ridge to the northern Arava and alongside the northeast mountain range of the Saad-Nafha Lineament. Although this geological fault is not so well known as the Great Rift Valley that serves also as the riverbed for Nahal Arava, but with all due respect, this fault indeed dissects the Negev across its breadth and continues to cut across the Sinai Peninsula, and forms in its way the breathtaking landscapes, which are seen from this observation point.  Being surrounded by an arid desert, it is easy to point out the scarce and yet distinct vegetation that grows around: acacia raddiana, acacia tortilis and the acacia strap flower that climbs on this tree. Other green speckles of plants that had adjusted to the heat and dryness of the desert are seen on the surrounding slopes: shrubby saltbush, salt tree, jointed anabasis, bushy bean-caper, knotweed, goldy locks and white broom.

After having enough of the food, landscapes and picture taking, go west along the green-marked trail that descends from the mountain. After about 300 m [984 feet] the marking color is changed intored. Keep tracking after this marking down the side of the mountain through a beautiful path that descends toward Nahal Masor [7].

The Deep Gorge

The path leads up to the other bank of the canyon, and it takes a brief climbing of about 15 minutes until eventually it comes to the beginning [8] of an impressive gorge, one of the tributaries of Masor canyon that cuts through the chalkstone. When you go down though the risky and enjoyable descent use all four and slide on your behind down the lowly waterfalls. Usually after rain the cisterns of the gorge are full of water. Little before the end of the creek, notice a trunk of a tree that can be helped as a rail in going down and which for some reason prefers to grow here at the gorge and to serve as a ladder for hikers.

Exit the deep gorge [9] while following the red trail that eventually leads some additional 200 m [656 feet] to the vehicles. 

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