A 20-min ride away from Eilat lies Timna Park, one of the most popular parks in Israel and a must-see desert attraction for visitors coming to Israel's vacation capital. It offers an intriguing combination of wild nature, fascinating history, and activities for the whole family.
A visit to Timna Park allows vacationers in Eilat to connect with the desert and discover the power of nature that sculpted the gorgeous rock formations scattered throughout the park. Timna Park also affords visitors a rare glimpse into life in antiquity and artefacts from the ancient Egyptian era. A visit to the park is both pleasurable and educational and is suited to all ages.
The key sites at Timna Park are:
Boreg Hill is the first attraction in the park. The attraction bears this name because of the rock stairs climbing the hill on the diagonal. They are reminiscent of the threads of a bolt, making the hill look like a turning screw ("boreg" is Hebrew for "screw"). Boreg Hill is the park's first example of "natural sculpting" whereby nature sculpts the earth to create sights of rare beauty. It's possible to park by the side of the road and walk to the hill, located a short distance from the road.
The Chariot Paintings , which are actually rock engravings from the 14th to the 12th century BCE, are a great reason to stop. Among the engraved scenes are hunts, fighters, and animals, evidence that Timna Valley area was filled with activity in ancient times.
Solomon's Pillars and the Temple of the Goddess Hathor are some of the other famous park attractions. The pillars, which draw visitors from Israel and the world, are considered one of the park's major wonders of nature. The pillars, rising to the lofty height of 40 m, were created naturally and are named for the biblical King Solomon. It's possible to park near the site and climb the stairs to the right, an easy climb that last about 15 min. The sharp-eyed will notice the famous engraving of the Egyptian Goddess Hathor, whose ancient temple was located a short walk from the pillars.
The Arches and the most ancient mines in the world form the fascinating stop that begins at the shaded Visitors' Center where it's possible to learn about the site before entering. At the site are natural sandstone arches a short walk away. It's also possible to ascend a ladder to one of the arches. Afterwards, visitors can enter the underground mine and crawl inside it.
The Mushroom is one of the symbols most often associated with Timna Park. The Mushroom is a natural rock formation of red sandstone that takes its name from its shape. Mushroom Valley was once the site of an Egyptian camp producing copper. We recommend getting out of the car, learning about copper production at the open, shaded Visitors' Center and, of course, taking a selfie with the Mushroom.
Timna Lake is the last and central stop at the park. The blue lake surrounded by desert hills is one of Israel's most beautiful sights. It is forbidden to swim in the lake, but there are paddle-boats available to couples and families. At the lake, visitors can enjoy several activities, such as filling bottles with layers of different colored sand and having a cup of desert-herb tea. Adjacent to the park, visitors will find a restaurant, bathrooms, and a unique gift shop.
Getting to Timna Park
Take Rte. 90 north from Eilat for about 19 min until coming to the sign indicating the left turn to the park, located about a 2-min drive from Rte. 90.
