A hidden oasis in Israel’s southern Negev desert, Nahal HaBesor is a narrow sliver of water in a region dominated by an arid climate. Winding through a mix of natural pools, reeds, and rocky landforms, the stream is flanked by a pair of verdant banks that contrast the surrounding desert. Beyond its ample wildlife and carpets of wildflowers that pop up each spring, the area is also home to an eye-catching structure - an 80-meter-long suspension bridge that straddles the river’s most picturesque section.

The bridge, often mistakenly called the “rope bridge”, was constructed in 1995 as part of the wider “Derech HaBesor” scenic project, aimed at improving accessibility to the many trails, archaeological relics and natural landmarks throughout the area.

Designed by architects Yiftach Aloni and Dudi Drori, it features a steel cable base with wooden planks underfoot, offering a solid yet wobbly crossing experience. This sturdy, functional design was created to allow hikers, cyclists, and sightseers a safe passage over the stream, which can flood and become impassable during the winter.

Spanning a natural pool that remains full year-round, the bridge offers views of red reeds and anemones that blossom from March to May. With a bit of luck, visitors might also catch a glimpse of softshell turtles calmly paddling in the river’s waters.

As the bridge connects several points of historical and natural interest on both sides of the river, trails lead hikers through the suspension bridge to the ruins of an ancient Byzantine farm, Tell el-Far’ah Archaeological site, and remnants of the old railway that once crossed this region, to name just a few.

Just north of the bridge stands a memorial honoring two young Kibbutz members who lost their lives in 1991 when their ATV tragically plunged into the creek. Comprised of two metal hoops atop a concrete pedestal, this unassuming monument serves as a somber reminder of the risks that come with the area’s rugged beauty. Nearby, the six-meter Tze’elim lookout tower offers sweeping views of the river, as well as the rolling hills and farmlands that surround it.