Do not rush to Mitzpe Ramon: The stops worth the drive on Highway 40

Highway 40 is one of the main roads crossing the Negev Highlands, but those who rush on the way between Sde Boker and Mitzpe Ramon might miss quite a few things happening right in their surroundings. Between these points hide Bedouin hospitality tents, hiking trails, family farms, off-road tours, and a vineyard where they are trying to bring back to life grape varieties that were used for wine production about 1,300 years ago. This journey allows getting to know the Negev Highlands not only through the landscape, but also through the people who live and operate in it.

The route passes through places very different from each other: from Bedouin villages where hospitality is part of the lifestyle, through Nahal Havarim and a family farm that produces cheeses from its goat milk, to jeep tours that reach places the road does not reach. The last station, in Avdat, takes us back to the past — to a contemporary attempt to regrow the vines from which wine was produced here in the Byzantine period.

"The Tent Way": Getting to know the desert through its hosts

The first station is "The Tent Way" (Derech HaOhalim), a tourism project established in 2018 that connects Bedouin hospitality centers along Highway 40. The way passes through the villages of Ramat Tziporim, Avdat, the Nahal Hava triangle, and Nahal Aricha, providing a source of livelihood for about 14 families.

Instead of one tourist complex, there is a collection of family-run centers, each with its own character. The meeting takes place where the hosts live. Visitors can choose between a shared Bedouin tent, an air-conditioned family hut, or a double suite. The villages are off-grid, with residents producing energy using solar systems.

Nahal Havarim: The familiar route gets a different angle

Tour guide Ofer Levy ("Ofer HaMidbar") offers a route in the upper, less familiar part of Nahal Havarim. A short 2.5 km circular route is suitable for families. Noa Brant also holds "Moments in Motion" photography workshops here, teaching participants how to capture the desert's light and composition using mobile phones.

Naot Farm: Family, goats, and lodging

Established in 2003 by the Nachimov family, Naot Farm combines agriculture and hospitality. They produce goat milk cheeses and operate a bistro and lodging complex. The cabins feature private wading pools and kitchenettes. Activities include sunset yoga on Fridays and scorpion tours in the summer.

Sela Family: The jeep is the way, not the destination

The Sela Family Desert Tour Center offers trips to the Ramon Crater, Zin Valley, and the Nabatean Incense Route. The jeep is used as a means to reach remote locations, combining off-road driving with insights into geology, nature, and history.

Avdat: The ancient wine returns to the vineyard

In Avdat, history goes back 1,300 years. Archaeological excavations between 2017 and 2019 uncovered charred grape seeds. Researchers identified wild vines as remnants of ancient varieties, which were planted in the Avdat National Park in 2023. The first harvest allowed for the production of natural wine without additives, marking a significant step in reconstructing Byzantine-era viticulture.

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Between Sde Boker and Mitzpe Ramon, this section of Highway 40 offers a compelling reason to change plans and stop. Together, these stations tell the story of the Negev Highlands: a region where tradition meets tourism, agriculture, and entrepreneurship.