Makhtesh Ramon

Makhtesh Ramon is a giant crater in the south of Israel, in the Negev desert. It was formed by progressive washing away of softer rock. Inside the crater and around it, there are mountains. You enter the crater by walking down the rim, or via Highway 40. I hiked it over two and a half days last week, walking down the trail from the Mitzpe Ramon alpaca farm, crossing to Shin Ramon (a minimountain in the center of the crater,) moving to the Be'erot Campground in the center where I spent the first night, then hiking around the Saharonim area in the southeast of the crater, spending the second night at a campground there and hiking out to Highway 40, from where I hitchiked home.

The weather was drizzly and cloudy the first day, cloudy the second day and clear on the last day.

Here are some views from the crater rim: