The Cave of Letters is one of the most extraordinary archaeological sites in the Judean Desert — a large cave above Nahal Hever, roughly 5 km south of Ein Gedi kibbutz, where a cache of documents and personal belongings was discovered in the 1960s. The letters of Bar Kokhba found here transformed understanding of the second Jewish revolt against Rome.
Reaching the cave requires a strenuous hike — the descent into Nahal Hever from the plateau is steep and exposed, taking 3–4 hours return. The cave itself is large and accessible, but the hike demands early starts and plentiful water. Most visitors to Ein Gedi do not make this trip; it is best suited to those with specific historical interest and good fitness. The letters themselves are now in the Israel Museum in Jerusalem.