Nahal Peres

North Negev

The 1^st dry fall of nahal Peres

The route type:

Long hiking route (partly marked) with a couple of obligatory and another couple of avoidable rappells.

The route is obviously divided into two parts: the upper canyon (there are no marked trails here and at list the first rappelling is obligatory) and the lower canyon (there is a marked route on the canyon floor with the exception of 1km patch in the very beginning; both rappelling are not obligatory).
You can do either part or both of them. The following description refers to the “full version”.
Keep in mind that the hiking route in lower part of nahal Peres is highly popular, so be prepared for crowds and these terrible noisy kids...

The canyon is dry all the year round (with a possible exception of some pits just before the second rappelling station) but be wary about floods during winter rains.

Some rappelling sites are equipped but some are not, so bring your own equipment to organize rappelling stations. *

Getting there:

Drive on the road number 25 (Dimona – Tsomet Arava) till the sign “Metsad Tamar” (watch “118km” road distance mark as well).
Turn from the main road as to “Metsad Tamar” and park your car (if you are not concerned about the possibility of car thefts you can continue farther on the dirt road marked with blue and “Israel Trail” marks, but I would not recommend it). It will be a good idea to put the second car at the petrol station after Tzomet Arava junction in the direction of Eilat as it is safe location and it is close to the end of the route.

From Metsad Tamar parking spot the most obvious but long option is to follow marked routes: 11551 (blue marks) and then 11537 (green marks) which brings you to the upper canyon of nahal Peres. Instead we decided to cross the terrain with no trails keeping to point 1, that I choose as a “Start point” of the route because it is the last place where you can get easily into the canyon: the canyon deepens significantly after this point.
Once on the canyon floor, follow the “green trail” till the place where it starts to climb up on the left wall. Leave the trail and proceed farther down the canyon. After 100m you will reach the 1st dry fall which must be abseiled.
Provide 1.5-2.5 hours for approach depending on the chosen option.

Upper canyon of nahal Peres

Lower canyon of nahal Peres

Route description:

There are 3 to 4 dry falls that can be abseiled:

1. 32m from the lower rappelling station or 40-45m from the upper one (mostly vertical, then last 10m - overhang)

There are two rappelling spots: the upper one - on a big block towering on the right side near the edge (red colored signs on pic. 1-6) and the lower one - on a big ledge below the mentioned “block” (blue colored signs on pic. 1-6).
The upper station: The are two bolts (one with “ear” and one without it) on the front face of the block (pic. 2,3) and one old piton on the left face (pic. 1,2,4). There are cracks suitable for the natural anchoring as well. *

The lower station: In order to get to the lower station, scramble down and traverse right to a big ledge (blue arrows on pic. 1). The are two bolts (12mm) here: one with “ear” and one without it (pic. 5,6). *

Pic 1. The 1st dry fall rappelling stations

Pic 2. The upper rappelling station

Pic 3. The bolts

Pic 4. The old piton

Pic 5. The lower rappelling station

Pic 6. The lower rappelling station

A view from the rappelling station

The 1st dry fall

A 100m long bolder field separates the base of the first dry fall from the second one:

Boulder field between the dry falls

Approaching the 2nd dry fall

2. 35m (15m vertical, then overhang)

There are big boulders near the edge which can be used for anchoring. Bring your own rope loops and a maillon. *

The 2nd dry fall rappelling station

The 2nd dry fall

From the base of the second dry fall you have to cross another 200m long big boulders field and then the terrain starts to be much less rugged. Walk 800-900m more to the exit from the upper canyon and join the “green trail”. From here follow green marks till the place named "Gabei Peres" where numerous pits filled with water are present. 3km of easy walking.

Just before coming to Gabei Peres you cross the dirt road marked with red marks which allows you to exit from the route (see trails map).

Walking to Gabei Peres

Gabei Peres water holes

Gabei Peres water holes
(the arrow points to the rappelling spot)

3. 15m (or even less) of stepped descent

Descend with a side trail that branches from the "green trail" and leads to the water pits. Walk left along the central fissure till the U-shaped dry fall and look for a relief features suitable to build a rappelling station.

Actually there is little to choose from and we used some heavy boulder approx 3m from the edge.

There is a big and easily accessible ledge at the beginning of the descent. It is convenient to begin to rappel from this ledge.

12-15m long rope is enough to get to the scree slope and boulders at the foot of the fall.

The 3rd dry fall rappelling station

Rappelling down the 3rd dry fall

Walk about 1km along the wide wadi till the junction of two trails (the "green" trail, which just bypassed the 3rd dry fall, and a "black" trail, which descends from the east bank) and then follow the black marks which will lead you through the narrow channel of nahal Peres to the 4th rappelling station.

Walking in the lower part of nahal Peres

Eventually the "black" trail turns right and climbs up steeply - out of the canyon. Leave it and follow through a short chain of water pits (the deepest is waist-deep) to the very end of the channel.

4. 40m (10m vertical, then overhang)

40m long rope is just enough to get to the scree slope and boulders at the foot of the fall but 60m long rope will bring you to the actual floor.

As on February 2017, there were 4 excellent bolts near the edge - one pair in each wall, - but keep in mind that they may be removed at any time. For such a case there are some options to place a natural protection, but they are scarce (to put it mildly…). Actually, there is one good through hole at the height of the head near the edge. On the other hand, there are some caverns in the canyon walls which are suitable for eccentric anchors (tricams, hexes etc.).

Approaching the 4th rappelling station

The 4th dry fall rappelling station

An option for natural anchoring (through hole)

Rappelling down the 4th dry fall

From the foot of the dry fall you have to follow the canyon bed for 2 km to get to the road number 90.

The route quality:

***** - The only one of its kind. A "must do" trip!

**** - Very interesting, highly recommended!

*** - Pretty nice route.

** - Inexpressive one.

* - Do it if you have nothing to do...

* Pay attention! The information is updated for February 2017. Try to check it before starting on your trip.