💦 עין גדי: השביל הקצר שמוביל למפל הכי מפתיע במדבר יהודה

Deep in the Judean Desert, right beside the Dead Sea, there is a green oasis that looks like it belongs in a movie: Ein Gedi Nature Reserve. At its heart flows Nahal David, a stream that runs all year long thanks to natural springs coming down from the mountain. Walk in from the parking lot, and within minutes you're surrounded by shade, tall trees, and the sound of rushing water, plus maybe a few wild ibex goats grazing calmly nearby, so used to visitors that they barely move. The shortest, easiest route is only about 400 meters, roughly a 15-minute walk, leading to a pool and the first small waterfall, perfect for a quick taste of nature without much effort. For those who want more, a longer circular route, about one kilometer and around an hour of walking, leads all the way to David Falls, the tallest waterfall in Ein Gedi, which drops from an impressive height into a large pool below. Swimming right at the base of David Falls itself is off-limits because of the risk of falling rocks, but other pools along the trail are open for a refreshing dip, especially useful on the region's hot summer days — as with any natural swimming spot, stick to areas that are actually permitted and keep an adult nearby. Along with the water, keep an eye out for rock hyraxes, small round animals that love sunbathing on boulders.