Cross-Judea Hike, Day 3 - Tekoa D to Metzoke Dragot

The third and last day of our cross-Judea trek started from the small settlement outpost of Tekoa Dalet, situated right at the edge of the Judean Desert. From here, we descended down towards the Tekoa Stream (Nahal Tekoa), where we witnessed dramatic landscapes that were still relatively green from the winter rains, but which eventually turned into the barren landscape of the Judean Desert.

Along the way we not only noticed a change in terrain and landscape, but also in population, as we now came across Bedouins who roamed the valleys and the hills with their flocks of sheep, goats and camels. We met several Bedouin families from different tribes in the El-Hisme Valley. As is their custom, they invited us for tea, giving us a chance to learn first-hand about their culture, religion and family-life.

We learned about the different geological formations of the Judean Desert and about how this entire region had been created. It was truly humbling to be standing in the middle of these wonderful and massive creations of nature.

We then reached Wadi Darga (Nahal Dragot), which turned into an immensely impressive canyon that had been created through many millennia of erosion. The route eventually led us to Metzokei Dragot, which is located on a cliff above the Dead Sea. Here we enjoyed unique views over the world’s lowest body of water, as well as over the Moab Mountains on the Jordanian side.

On this last day of our trip, we walked a total of 18 km (11 mi) on a mostly downward slope. All together, we covered a distance of about 45 km (28 mi) during these three days. Being able to witness first-hand the gradual change in scenery, landscape and population between the Jerusalem Mountains and the Dead Sea was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for me.

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