If you are a desert lover you probably already know road 10 along the Israeli-Egyptian border; it is one of the longest roads in Israel and one of the most beautiful at least for desert lovers. It is considered a not-safe road and therefore since 2011 closed to the public and under IDF control and not accessible. However, in the last couple of years it had been opened one weekend a month as well as during the holidays. The unfortunate events last weekend where three soldiers were killed, will likely lead to closure of the road.
Living in the Negev we have toured the road repeatedly because it is spectacularly beautiful.
In the Desert time behaves differently.
Some facts about the road: it is 182 km long; the northern starting point is near Nitzana going straight south to the Sayerim Junction, where it continues as road 12 running 71 km to Eilat.
It was constructed in 1986 after the peace agreement with Egypt and Israel’s withdrawal from the Sinai Peninsula. I found it interesting that today’s border between Israel and Egypt had been determined in 1906 between the British Empire sitting in today’s Egypt and the Ottoman Empire that then controlled today’s Israel and Palestine for the 402 years (1516-1918). This border was upheld after various wars between Israel and Egypt as well as in the peace-agreement that was signed in 1978 and finalized by 1982. The border is a straight line as if drawn using a ruler on a map in a room far away from the field.
The fence along the border was built in 2013 with the purpose to prevent the stream of migrants from Africa to enter Israel but also to try to prevent drug smuggling by the Sinai Bedouin tribes, which is still going on across the border until today. It should also prevent infiltration and attacks by Muslim terrorists from the Sinai.
On days road 10 is open and accessible for the public there a check points by soldiers every few kilometers checking that all is well and writing down the number of the cars and how many people in the car. The soldiers explain the rules, all in very friendly, helpful way, even though it is sabbath and the soldiers could be home with their families. Every time we have toured here, I have had the impression that these young soldiers are very eager for us to enjoy the beautiful desert views and landscapes, just as they appreciate it every day; they have not got used to the views, they do not take them for granted.
Friendly soldiers assisting the tourists
Along road 10 there are no place to buy food, drink or fuel; you are not allowed to stay over night outside, you need to be out by 5 pm.
When we wave to Egyptian soldiers they wave back to the great joy of our grandchildren. Road 10 itself is OK, you do not need 4X4 but it is worn down and damaged by weather and time with holes, so notice where you drive.
When we go with our grandchildren you cannot just drive and drive, they need to stop and run around and loose some energy. At the beginning it is possible to do that at the Nitzana Hillocks with blinding white rocks (see my post from September 2, 2021); only the children will be very dirty with white chalk everywhere, so perhaps it is better to do it at the end of the tour:
Our grandchildren can stay quiet in the car about half an hour before they need to run around, pee behind a rock and drink some water, all this fits with stopping at the Sabha water hole.
It is an underground water hole from Nabatean time or Byzantian time depending on where you read about it. Soldiers have a station here and greeted us with a smile. My son and granddaughter were very brave and went in for a swim – the water was very cold:
There is water all the year, the water is run off from rain. Our younger grandson thought his sister was crazy, he stayed on the dry ground with his mother and me.
Having been refreshed we drove along the straight fence to reach the next station Kadesh Barnea which is 670 meter above sea level with a great view over the area we have crossed:
Kadesh Barnea is the ideal place to enjoy the spectacular views over the desert also far into Egypt and the northern Sinai. It is also the perfect spot for a picnic to sit quietly and let the breeze cool you and enjoy the mesmerizing landscapes.
With regular intervals on the Egyptian side, you see their military bases, all the same, like a lego castle. Among Israeli reserve soldiers (miluimnikim) they say that the gate to the Egyptian military base is located towards the Israeli side because that is safer than on the opposite side where they have terrorists and Bedouin smugglers that do not hesitate to attack.
Next station is Mount Horesha also elevated so you can see far into Egypt and Israel.
Road 10 is straight, like drawn on a map using a ruler
Looking into Sinai and Egypt
If you have 4X4 car you may go to Mount Karkom to see the many petroglyphs and if you come in December, it is possible to see what some researchers believe is the burning bush:
I hope Road 10 will be open so every one may enjoy the wonderful desert views.
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