Until road 40, connecting Beersheba with the Arava, was built, the road to Eilat went eastward from Beersheba, past Dimona, then descended into the Arava via a precipitous series of hair pin bends known as the “Scorpions’ Ascent”.
People have been using the Scorpions’ Ascent for nearly 2000 years – and you can still drive it today.
Mentioned throughout the Bible, it was during the Nabatean Period that the route became important as part of the Spice Route – leading from modern-day Saudi Arabia to port on the Mediterranean.
Mentioned throughout the Bible, it was during the Nabatean Period that the route became important as part of the Spice Route – leading from modern-day Saudi Arabia to port on the Mediterranean.
The route was upgraded by the Romans, and once again, almost 2,000 years later, by the British who rebuilt it to connect two police stations. After Israel’s independence, the road was paved, widened, and served as ‘the road to Eilat’ until 1954 when the road was replaced following the ambush of a bus traveling north from Eilat.
The route is open-year-round (except from periods in the winter when it could be closed due to the risk of flash flooding).
Officially though, the road is closed and forbidden to travel, but you know… 😉
Officially though, the road is closed and forbidden to travel, but you know… 😉
