The “secret river of the Dead Sea” is the popular name for a beautiful but dangerous and untamed place. Despite what its name might suggest, it is not a natural phenomenon but a man-made formation created by the Dead Sea Works, which for decades have been channeling liquid brine from evaporation ponds into the Arava stream. The phenomenon has been known for years to geologists, curious visitors, photographers and experienced hikers.
The “secret river of the Dead Sea”
(Video: Arik Danino)
Most attention goes to the spectacular landscape created by the erosion of the salty ground, mysterious pools in vivid colors and a steep canyon-like terrain that feels almost foreign. Although a small number of guides do lead hiking tours for experienced trekkers, travel there is prohibited due to the risk of mines, sinkholes and dangerous proximity to the Jordanian border.
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Despite what its name might suggest, it is not a natural phenomenon but a man-made formation
(Photo: Arik Danino)
It should be emphasized that we do not recommend going to the site. The IDF also stated that it is a closed military zone. However, when we learned that Arik Danino (40), a tech worker from Rehovot and amateur drone photographer, had visited last winter and returned with impressive visual material, we sat down with him for a short conversation.
“The secret river,” he said, “is located roughly east of Masada and flows south along a route between the area of Kibbutz Kalia and the evaporation ponds opposite the hotels near Sodom. It is about five kilometers long as the crow flies and connects the northern part of the Dead Sea with the evaporation ponds. The seepage water carved out the ravine, creating what looks like a canyon. Over the years it only deepened, forming the impressive canyon-like landscape.”
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The seepage water carved out the ravine, creating what looks like a canyon
(Photo: Arik Danino)
“The name ‘secret river’ is a reflection of the quality of the trip in the area. It is not an organized hiking site and not everyone can go there, because of the danger of mines and sinkholes. I first went there with a guide who led us through a fence and official ‘danger mines’ signage. A year later, after becoming familiar with the route, I returned alone with my drone. I made sure to follow paths used by different groups of hikers that day and avoided the edges and any improvisation or off-route walking.”
“It feels like scenes from a science fiction film on another planet. There are many different types of terrain there, rocky ground, loess soil and salt earth. There are textures you don’t believe exist in Israel until you see them with your own eyes. Every few hundred meters you see something new, it is a very varied hike with no dull moments. At the end of the route there are two very special pools, a beautiful deep blue-green salt pool and another stunning reddish-yellow-orange pool.”
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Over the years it only deepened, forming the impressive canyon-like landscape
(Photo: Arik Danino)
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The name ‘secret river’ is a reflection of the quality of the trip in the are
(Photo: Arik Danino)
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It feels like scenes from a science fiction film on another planet
(Photo: Arik Danino)
“The route itself is not easy to walk. Since I hiked and filmed independently, I did not have a jeep waiting at the end like with a guide, and I walked about 12 kilometers. Because you are walking on the dried seabed, you step on layers of hard salt crust that feel like knives, and you need proper hiking shoes with very thick soles. It is not a place you arrive at spontaneously. You need to plan and study it and not go after heavy rains, since it affects the ground and you can get caught in floods or unstable soil. It is a very impressive route for experienced hikers, but I stress that the first time must be done with a guide or someone who knows it well.”
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There are many different types of terrain there, rocky ground, loess soil and salt earth
(Photo: Arik Danino)
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here are textures you don’t believe exist in Israel until you see them with your own eyes
(Photo: Arik Danino)
How was the drone filming experience at the secret river?
“The winds were very strong, which makes drone control difficult. In summer there are no winds and it is easier to film, but the heat is extreme and turns the hike into a nightmare and can also affect the drone. I hiked there with a 15 kg backpack, including drone equipment, a professional DSLR camera with a tripod and lots of water and food, and I was very afraid of slipping and getting injured alone in the field. Luckily that did not happen.”
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Because you are walking on the dried seabed, you step on layers of hard salt crust that feel like knives
(Photo: Arik Danino)
“I was worried I would trip on one of the rocks, fall and get hurt, and I was very careful, but the drone had other plans and gave me a nice cut on my finger. When I tried to launch it for the first time it was still off, but a sudden strong gust of wind spun the blades and cut me. From a photography perspective I shot several times from the same point but at different heights, which also shows the sinkholes and gives an indication of the danger of the place.”
What is it like to visit a dangerous place where travel is forbidden?
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You arrive at a place where few people have stepped is exciting
(Photo: Arik Danino)
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Impressive landscapes with colorful textures and strange shapes
(Photo: Arik Danino)
“For safety reasons it is very important not to go there alone. It is a fascinating experience. The fact that you arrive at a place where few people have stepped is exciting. I didn’t believe something like this exists in Israel. I am not used to seeing such impressive landscapes with colorful textures and strange shapes. It is somewhat reminiscent of the Rorschach inkblot test, you can interpret the shapes in many different ways.”
Warning: According to IDF instructions, travel to the secret river is prohibited. It is a wild area dangerous for hiking due to sinkholes, unstable mud and proximity to the Jordanian border.