Scorpions’ Ascent to Mitzpe Ramon Visitors Center
Motorcyclist Map
Route Suggested By: Helio Diamant - https://diamant.org.il/blog
View In Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/fVzTR1z9eozrfmHs8
GPX Download: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tAqgFmDKsMbqDI7HYEXCxjVmotCskfc1/view?usp=sharing
Description: From the Scorpions Ascent, we will travel to Mitzpe Ramon Visitors Center. Mitzpe Ramon is the town developed in the desert at the edge of the Mitzpe Ramon Crater. The Mitzpe Ramon Crater is one of the three main craters known in Israel, in this region of the Syrian African rift. In the continuation to Eilat we will go down into the Mitzpe Ramon crater, but before that it is worthy to stop at the visitor center, where one can learn about the crater and the rift, and also about the history of the first Israeli astronaut Ilan Ramon, who died in the tragic explosion of the Columbia on its way back to earth, and of his son Assaf, who was going through his father's path as a pilot until he died in an air force plane crash during a training. From the visitor center we can also get an incredible view of the crater. The map below is also kind of confusing, because again there are two ways to get there from the Scorpions Ascent. If you ask Google Maps it will probably say to you that you will need to go back and uphill at the ascent to go there. Since that is, again, a dangerous path, I have decided to continue with road 227 and turn right in the first intersection in the direction of the Ein Yahav Reserve and the Tzien river bridge. At this point I must say: since road 227 is a road that is not being maintained (as I explained before), I don't know what the situation of this route is at this moment - last time I've been there was around 10 years ago. So, be very careful all along the way and if you see any sign that the road is in bad condition or even turning into a trail, turn back and go up the ascent again.
Admin Country: Israel