#1 - Masada Snake Path
Masada National ParkLength: 1.1 mi • Est. 1 h 7 m
Masada (מצדה) is a UNESCO Heritage Site and the second-most visited site in Israel, after Jerusalem. The Snake Path (שביל הנחש) was once the rear entrance to Masada, and consists of roughly 700 steps up the side of the mountain.
Masada, the last fortress of Jewish freedom fighters protesting Roman rule, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and national park. Its camps, fortifications and assault ramp constitute the most complete surviving ancient Roman siege system in the world. Because of its history and the wonderful condition of its ruins, its second in popularity only to Jerusalem as an Israeli tourist destination.
Herod, a Roman king of Judea, created Masada in 37-31 B.C. as a winter palace. In 66 AD it served as a fortress against a Roman attack. The snake path was a "back door" to the fortress and rarely used at the time. Today there are around 700 steps that cover 2 km, and gain 350 m (1,148 feet) in elevation.
This trail is frequently completed by taking the tram back down, but you can also return the way you came or take the path down the other side of the plateau.
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