Makhtesh Hagadol

District: Southern

Situation and characteristics

Makhtesh Hagadol (the "Great Mortar") is the middle one of three erosion craters in the Negev, smaller than Makhtesh Ramon. Like Makhtesh Haqatan, the "Little Mortar", it lies to the north of the Wilderness of Zin.

Through the crater

From the development town of Yeroham (32km/20mi southeast of Beersheba), founded in 1951, a road runs southeast and comes in 7km/4.5mi to the northwestern edge of the crater. Continuing through the crater, we emerge from it through a gorge on the southeast side. Off the road to the right, 5km/3mi southwest, are the Oron phosphate works, where many of the inhabitants of Yeroham work. A road to the left runs north and in 12km/7.5mi joins the road from Beersheba via Dimona to the Dead Sea at Mount Rotem, near the site of Mamshit.