Which desert contains Wadi Qelt, the canyon linking Jerusalem’s hills with Jericho?

The Judean Desert contains Wadi Qelt, a dramatic canyon running through the dry hills east of Jerusalem toward Jericho.

Wadi Qelt is an intermittent valley system shaped by erosion in the Judean Desert. Its route has long connected the Jerusalem area with the Jordan Valley, and parts of the landscape contain springs, monasteries, and ancient paths.

The Judean Desert lies mainly in the West Bank and slopes sharply from the central Judean Mountains toward the Dead Sea. This steep descent creates a pronounced rain shadow: moist air rises over the mountains, leaving the eastern slopes much drier.

The desert is also associated with the Dead Sea Scrolls, found in caves at nearby Qumran. The Judean Desert should not be confused with the larger Negev Desert farther south, although both are arid regions of Israel and the wider historical landscape.