In and around Jerusalem

This partially circular ride through Britannia Park in the Shefela includes a must-see stop-off at Tel Azeka. Details of this tel are covered in the hike "A visit to Quiyafa and Tel Azeka". Because this is a park rather than a forest, there are exceptional unobstructed views of the Shefela. 

Distance: about 14 km.

Difficulty: The roads are paved or have a firm and reasonably smooth surface and this ride is suitable for hybrid bikes. The park is quite hilly and you will need to be in good shape if you want to keep up a fast pace.

Starting point: The beginning of this ride is the parking lot of the recreation area by the northern entrance to Britannia Park. There are pleasant picnic areas here and also liberally spaced along the route. 

Directions: Enter "Britannia Park" or "פארק בריטניה" into Waze. This locates the northern entrance to the park which is exactly where you want to be. To reach the park from route 38, turn right at Tzomet Azeka and proceed along route 383. The park entrance is 1.3 Km from the junction on the left and is the first paved road you come to. The entrance to the park is not well sign-posted, but you will see a Keren Kayemet sign as you enter. After entering the park, take the first turning on the left to park your car in the recreation area. 

The Bicycle Ride:

• Follow the green-labelled main road through the middle of the park signposted  "דרך הפארק" ("derech hapark").  

• After a short distance, turn left at the first intersection to ascend to Tel Azeka. This road is black-labelled and indicated with a green arrow. The entrance to the tel is well marked and is at the top of the hill.

• After visiting the tel, continue on the same road marked with a green arrow to "משואה בית גוברין". There are wonderful views of the Elah Valley as you descend the hill. At the bottom of the hill, the road joins up with the green-labelled "derech hapark".  

• Continue on this green-marked road to route 535. Along the way you will come to an observation area which includes two signs identifying the views in front of you. On a clear day you can see all the way to Ashdod.

• When you come to route 353 you have the choice of either turning back or making a loop on the other side of the road. The roads of this loop are also green-marked. This part of the tRail is not quite as hilly, but the surface of the road is also not quite as good. This road brings you eventually to Chanyon Sherigim where there is a WC and water, and from here it is only a short distance to route 353.

• Turn left and continue on route 353 until you reach the green trail and "derech hapark" on the right side of the road. Retrace your steps on this road. At a signpost for Tel Shaklon make sure you make a sharp left to keep on the green trail. This road is signposted "יציאה צפונית" ("northern exit"). On this return journey, do not take the detour to Tel Azeka, but continue along the green-marked trail to the starting point of the ride. 

Map of the park. Entry into the park in this ride is at the arrow at the top of the map, which is the northern entrance to the park.