Masada is an ancient fortification overlooking the Dead Sea dating back to between 31-37 BC. During the siege of Masada by Roman Troops, more than 960 Jews committed mass suicide rather than fall at the hands of a Roman invasion. Its cliffs are 1300 feet high. Its takes about 45 minutes to hike the Snake Trail straight up or less than 5 minutes by cable car. Sunrise brings the coolest weather and the best light for photos. At 6am, just as the sun was rising, I hiked straight up its Snake Trail -- more than 700 steps, so that I could always claim to have conquered it one step at a time.
