Near Ezuz are two distinct destinations: the small Beerotayim Grove oasis and a hill with rock art. Together, they offer two perspectives on the landscape, from the oasis on the edge of the western Negev to images carved in rock. The local selection thus brings together a natural site and an archaeological subject.

Beerotayim Grove and its access road

Beerotayim Grove is a small oasis on the edge of the western Negev, toward the Egyptian border. A narrow road leads to the grove, following a route laid out for the Ottoman railway. This brings together two different themes in the surrounding area: the oasis as a landscape feature and the historical planning of a railway route.

Rock art north of Khan Beerotayim

North of Khan Beerotayim, a footpath about one kilometer long leads to a hill with rock art depicting people, animals, and an unusual tree. The images are clearly recognizable, but their dating remains uncertain. Based on similarities to other rock art in the Negev, KKL-JNF suggests that they were created between the early and late Islamic periods. The path and the oasis thus appeal to different interests: here, the focus is on the rock art and its possible historical dating, while at Beerotayim it is the landscape of a small oasis.

More highlights in the Southern District

The broader destination of the Southern District includes other distinct cultural and natural sites. Avdat National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site along the route of the ancient Incense Route in the Negev Highlands. For culture enthusiasts, it offers a different historical perspective from the rock art near Ezuz: the focus here is on the connection to an ancient route. Avdat is a separate site in the Southern District.

Masada adds another layer of historical significance to the regional overview. The site is considered a symbol of the ancient Kingdom of Israel, its violent destruction, and the final resistance of Jewish patriots against the Roman army in 73 CE. Surviving remains include Herod’s palaces and intact Roman siege works, among the most complete of their kind in the Roman world. While Avdat highlights the connection to the Incense Route, Masada’s palace remains and Roman siege context take center stage.

The Ein Gedi Nature Reserve is also part of the broader Southern District and offers a different landscape focus. It encompasses Israel’s largest oasis, with springs and waterfalls, ibexes and hyraxes, as well as flowing streams. A hiking trail along the Nahal Arugot, which flows year-round, leads to a hidden waterfall and pools in its upper reaches. After flooding, trail conditions may change; check them before setting out on a hike. Compared with the small Beerotayim Grove, Ein Gedi represents a larger oasis and a distinct nature reserve within the region.

Discover more destinations: Paran, Rishon LeZion, Yeroẖam, Bustan Hagalil, Alonei Abba, Havatzelet Hasharon, Elon, Malkiyya

View the broader travel guide: Israel.