Wadi Millek is a popular name from the days of the British Mandate given to the route of the wadi that runs along Road 67 and Road 70. The wadi connects Zichron Ya'akov and Furidis in the west, along the route of the Dalia stream, continues up the route of Tut stream and passes at its highest point, At the Elikim Interchange. From there, the route goes down the Yokneam stream until it reaches the Yizrael Valley. The wadi route is dramatic (no less!) since it is 1 of 3 roads that allow crossing the Carmel ridge and connecting the center of the country to the north.
The name "Millek" is a disruption of the word "Milah", which is "Salt" in Arabic & Hebrew, because of the salt caravans that passed through the Wadi on their way from the Atlit salt ponds to Damascus. On British maps appears as Wadi MILH. The British paved the road in the 1930s during the Arab Revolt from the Yokneam area to Bat Shlomo. From Bat Shlomo to Zichron Yaakov there was already a road paved by Baron Rothschild's clerks.
The production of salt in the Atlit area continues to this day. The "Salt of Haaretz" company dries seawater ponds for the production of salt. It seems that even on the Salt topic this land preserves a long history.
Another thing about salt; The word "salary" in many languages, derives from the word "salt". The reason is that throughout history there were those who paid wages in sacks of salt, because of its high value. Its high value was due to its ability to preserve food, and not because of its taste in cooking or salad dressing.
Photos: map of Wad Millek & the salt pond in Atlit today: https://www.salt.co.il/
