HaMinsara, Makhtesh Ramon – Visitors Guide

HaMinsara, also known as The Carpentry or The Sawmill, allows seeing a unique phenomenon inside Makhtesh Ramon.

Note: you can find additional information about this area in Mitzpe Ramon and Makhtesh Ramon.

Basic Info

HaNagariya (“Carpentry Shop”) – a concentration of prism-shaped stones. The prisms are the result of the “baking” of the sandstone in the high temperatures caused by fiery lava erupting from the depths of the earth. The great heat transformed the rock which, when it cooled, created thousands of polygonal pillars, and these broken pillars form the “Carpentry Shop.”

Source: Makhtesh Ramon – Nature Reserve and Visitors Center’s official site.

Map

HaMinsara is located close to Ammonite Wall (about 5km from Mitzpe Ramon). When driving on road #40, you will see a sign to HaMinsara. After approximately 1.5 km, you will reach small car parking if you follow this sign. From the parking, there is a wooden path.

Directions for drivers: Link to Waze and Link to Google Maps
Directions for public transport: Link to Moovit

Interactive map of the area:

Here is a detailed map from the brochure provided at Makhtesh Ramon Visitors Center.

Note: you can click on the map to enlarge it.

Entrance Fee

Free.

The Track

Here is an interactive map from israelhiking.osm.org.il where the trail is marked:

The length of this track is about 600 meters. And the sum of the total climb and descent is 54 meters.

HaMinsara in Hebrew means sawmill. This place is called a sawmill since the stones look like pieces of wood.

Here are several photos from the first part of the trail:

The sandstone in this area went through a high-temperature metamorphosis. After high heating and cooling down, the sandstone cracked into hexagonal shapes.

This circular route takes about half an hour. HaMinsara is a competently open place, i.e., free entry and no visiting hours. But, keep in mind there is no artificial light, so visit only during the daytime.

Summary

If you are in the area, it is worth a visit. This lovely short trail allows seeing an interesting phenomenon. And if you are looking for nearby attractions, check out Mitzpe Ramon and Makhtesh Ramon.

That’s all for today, and I’ll see you in future travels!

Stay Tuned!

Additional Resources

Here are several resources that I created to help travelers:

• Trip Planner with Attractions and Itineraries is the page that will help you create your perfect travel route.
• What is the Best Time to visit Israel? To answer this question, we will consider the weather, prices, holidays, festivals, and more.
• Information and Tips for Tourists to Israel will answer the most common questions tourists have about Israel (including safety, passports, weather, currency, tipping, electricity, and much more).
• Israel National Parks and Nature Reserves include a complete list, top ten, map, tickets (Israel Pass, Matmon, combo), and campsites.
• If you are looking for things to do, here are the pages for Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Haifa, Sea Of Galilee, Akko (Acre), Eilat, Nazareth, Safed (Tzfat), and Makhtesh Ramon.