GENERAL INFORMATION
Mitzpe Ramon is a small town in the Negev region of Israel, some 85 kilometres south of Beersheba, and overlooking the mighty Ramon Crater.
Founded in the 1950’s originally as a military outpost and then as a wayward station for local miners and road workers. Mitzpe Ramon remains small, but acts as a stopping point for travellers going from the north of Israel to Eilat and also caters to some of the soldiers stationed at the nearby military bases. The town boasts the highest air quality in Israel and a series of breathtaking landscapes. Mitzpe also provides a haven for various kinds of performing artists, new edge healers, and desert enthusiasts.
FOOD
A small café/restaurant exists near the visitors centre.The Ramon Inn restaurant offers a variety of Israeli and non-Israeli foods.Hahavit, the local bar/restaurant provides a diverse menu. Mis’edet aKatze offers various homemade foods at reasonable prices.
SIGHTSEEING
Mitzpe Ramon’s biggest sight is the Ramon Crater, 500 metres deep, 40 kilometres long, 10 kilometres at its widest, and claimed to be the largest in the world. It is a particularly large asymmetrical hole dug out of the ground by natural processes of erosion. Ramon Crater is the largest one of the three Negev craters. It contains geological formations unparalleled elsewhere in the world. Together with magnificent panorama, it presents a fascinating story of geomorphologic evolution. The Ramon Nature Reserve encompassing the crater and the surrounding Negev Mountains is the largest nature reserve in Israel.
Mitzpe Ramon Visitors Centre is located at the edge of the cater and affords stunning views over the area and has a small informative museum documenting the geological and natural history of the area. A large picture window in the centre affords visitors a breathtaking view of the crater itself.
The Albert Promenade- a trail decorated with impressive environmental sculptures-starts from the Visitors Centre and goes along the edge of the Ramon Crater. In the middle of the promenade there is a “ bird balcony” which hangs above the crater and offers the best view around the crater. Visitors can see birds flying under their feet rather than over their head. After the paved trail ends, a path continues along the crater edge and leads to a small observation platform installed atop of a rock resembling a camel.
Bio Ramon- a museum showcasing the wildlife of the desert and the crater. The rich collection of desert plants and animals displayed is divided into two parts: an indoor interpretation centre and an outdoor area reconstructing the Negev desert landscape, with desert loess, Hamada, sand, cliffs, riverbeds and even a small spring.
There are a number of treks of various lengths that can be arranged in and around the crater. There are many interesting rock formations in different colours to be seen, as well as desert animals including the tame ibex that congregate around tourists, looking for handouts.
Jeep tours with an English-speaking guide can be arranged.
TRANSFER FROM OVDA AIRPORT
Takes approximately two and half hours.
