The Dead Sea lies more than four hundred metres below sea level, the lowest point on land, and Masada rises above its western shore as a vast flat-topped rock with sheer cliffs on every side. King Herod built a palace fortress here in the first century BC, with storerooms, cisterns, bathhouses and a three-tiered palace hanging from the northern cliff. After the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem in AD 70, a group of Jewish rebels held out on the rock against the Roman army. The Romans built a siege ramp up the western side, and according to the historian Josephus, when the walls were breached, the defenders chose to die rather than be captured.
The remains of the Roman siege camps and the ramp are still visible around the base of the rock, and from the top you can see them laid out like a diagram. The site is part of the UNESCO World Heritage list. A cable car takes visitors to the summit from the eastern side, by the Dead Sea, and the Snake Path climbs the same face on foot, best done before dawn to watch the sun rise over the mountains of Jordan.
The riding is extraordinary. Route 90 runs along the shore of the Dead Sea, through a landscape of white salt, brown cliffs and blue water, with heat haze shimmering on the road. The road from Arad descends from the plateau to the western side of Masada, with spectacular views and tight bends, and there is a separate access to the base of the Roman ramp. Summer heat is fierce, often over forty degrees, so ride early and carry water. Winter is pleasant and sunny. Watch for sand on the road and sudden flash floods after rare rainstorms.
The hotels at Ein Bokek, on the Dead Sea shore, have shops and restaurants, and Arad, on the plateau, has fuel and services. Israeli food here means hummus, salads and grilled meats, with fresh juice to fight the heat. Before you travel, look at recent travel advice. Visit the summit early, wander through Herod's storerooms and palaces, and stand at the edge of the cliff looking down at the Roman camps. Then ride down to the Dead Sea and float in the salty water, an unforgettable experience.