Ein Yorke'am to Scorpions’ Ascent
Motorcyclist Map
Route Suggested By: Helio Diamant - https://diamant.org.il/blog
View In Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/yrQ6wffb4Z3wubEc6
GPX Download: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1t0CFm5BORWtEOvW2e-CGsX3UJDCLjFP7/view?usp=sharing
Description: Our next visit point is going to have us travelling in a circle for a moment, but it is so close that it is a pity to miss it, especially if you are on a motorcycle. It is called the Scorpions Ascent, aka Aqrabbim Ascent, aka Ma'ale Aqrabbim. We are talking about a route which was previously used by the British during the Mandate in 1927 while it was still made of stones. In 1949, the Golani commandos used this British dirt route to reach Eilat in and control the Red Sea access for the newly born State of Israel. The road was turned into asphalt by the Israeli Army Engineering Corp. in April 1950, as it was by that time the only way to reach Eilat. At the top of the route, there is a monument dedicated to the Engineering Corps who built this road for traffic. After better and more secure roads were built later in the area, a discussion aroused between the army and the Ministry of Transportation regarding who is supposed to maintain this road, with the army saying that this is a road and should be maintained by the country, and the MoT claiming that this is a military road and should be maintained by the army. With no solution, the road is nowadays closed to traffic of cars, but bicycles and motorcycles can go around the blockades and have access to the road. The map below is a little strange due to the fact that the road in fact “doesn’t officially exist”. This is why you see the Southern part of the route. With the motorcycle, you should take a right to Road 206 when leaving Ein York’eam, and another right at the junction between road 206 and 227. Some security advises to whoever will visit the place: The road is in bad condition and is dangerous - if you are in a group of motorcycles at the moment you go down there, please keep a distance of 50-100m between each motorcycle. Never travel near the edge of the road, at some points there might be pieces of road missing. Always be close to the mountain wall. Be aware that there may be bicycles going up or downhill - beware not to hit them. Beware of Bedouin motorcyclists - they are kamikazes.
Admin Country: Israel