The White Canyon is a narrow canyon about 5 meters wide and an impressive length of more than 100 meters in southern Negev. The canyon is built of white chalk rock and shines for distances which creates a magical atmosphere. After the rains and floods, it fills with water and becomes a wonderful and impressive desert pool.
The White Canyon is located on the seam between the Arava region and the southern Negev Mountains, not far from the Tzichur junction on Route 40. As mentioned, it is an incredibly narrow and long canyon (over a hundred meters) that fills with water during the rainy season and becomes a large pool.
It is recommended to enter the water, walk up the canyon to the upper pools, and then return on the same route between the white and high limestone cliffs. While walking down the canyon cliff, it is advisable to look down at the water stored inside the white canyon so impressively, and not give up walking in the water – their height is about one meter, and the temperature outside is usually pleasant and warm.
Chalk is a biochemical, crisp, white, and porous sedimentary rock. It is a rock close to limestone and consists of the mineral calcite, but unlike limestone, it does not have a crystalline structure. Due to being a soft rock and easy to quarry and design, the chalk was used for mining homes in the past. Examples can be seen in the area of Beit Guvrin (The caves there are man-made tunnels).
Getting to the White Canyon
The road to the White Canyon passes through a very long dirt path that is only suitable for SUVs.
For those arriving from the north, take Route 40 and pass Midreshet Ben Gurion and Mitzpe Ramon up to about 2 kilometers before the Tzichur junction. There, turn left onto a dirt road marked with a red trail marker. From here, we will continue along a route of about 18 kilometers, until we reach a split of paths where we will continue with the path marked in green. We will continue for another 12 km and reach another fork in the road, where we can choose between the path marked in black and the path marked in red. We will turn left, with the red trail, and drive along with it until we reach a blue trail, which will lead us uphill towards the white canyon.
It is important to know that the road passes through an active IDF training area of the Air Force, so a visit to the place is possible only on Saturdays and holidays, or by prior arrangement with the Southern Command. It can be reached by SUV right up to the edge of the pool.
For those who want to get there on foot, it is recommended to enter the area the day before and sleep in one of the night camps along the way, thus dividing the long way into two days. The canyon itself is a nature reserve and therefore it is forbidden to sleep or light a fire on the spot (except in regulated campsites).
The route is suitable for groups, couples, and avid spring lovers, for a longer hiking day.
Preferred season: winter and spring, after floods in southern Negev. It is advisable to make sure before leaving that the canyon is full of water, otherwise, the experience is much less impressive.
Driving distance: about 42 kilometers (about two hours drive) in each direction on dirt roads, feasible only for SUVs.
The place is open free of charge and without a time limit. Keep in mind that on days when the canyon is full of water, the place is crowded with hikers, especially on Saturdays and holidays.