In and around Jerusalem
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- Summary of walks in Jerusalem
- The City of David
- An introduction to the Old City
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- Nature walk: the Cedar Trail in the Jerusalem Forest.
- Nature walk: Gazelle Valley Park
- Nature walk: the Jerusalem Botanical Gardens
- A countryside hike on the Gazelle Trail in the Ramot Forest
- Mount Scopus - its university, botanical garden and lookout points
- The Mei Neftoah (Lifta) Nature Reserve and Arazim Valley Park
- The Judean Mountains (west of Jerusalem) - Summary of hikes and overview
- The Shvil Hamaayanot and Yad Kennedy memorial
- Ein Hindak and the Ein Karem National Park to Ein Karem
- The springs of Emeq Refaim - Ein Lavan, Mayan Itamar and Ein Haniya
- From Tzomet Ora (near Hadassah-Ein Karem) to the springs of Ein Lavan and Mayan Itamar in Emeq Refaim
- Ancient agriculture in Sataf
- The unusual cave formations in Nahal Halilim
- To Ein Tzova and the crusader ruins of "Belmont"
- To Ein Hindak and Ein Bichura in the Sataf Reserve
- The spring of Ein Kobi and the luscious ravine of Nahal Kobi in the Begin Forest
- The beautiful Nahal Katlav
- Outpost 21 via the historic Burma Road
- Hiking above Nahal Sorek
- The spring of Ein Hod and Crusader castle at Hurvat Beit Itab
- Derech HaKaiser (The Caesar's Way) and overlook of Nahal Zanuach
- Castel National Park
- HaHamisha Forest and visit to the Harel Brigade Monument In Har Adar
- Hiking or biking around Har Eitan
- The HaHamisha Forest and spring of Ein Kfira
- IN THE SHEFELAH (LOWLANDS) - Summary of Hikes and Overview
- A hike to Tel Azeka
- A walk to the ruins of Qeiyafa - Goliath, will you please stop hollering?
- Tel Tzafit and the Philistines
- Neot Kedumim and agriculture in ancient Israel
- A circular hike around Givat Hatourmusim (Hill of Lupins)/ Tel Socho
- Hiking in the Bet Guvrin-Maresha National Park
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- Burgin
- The Judean Desert, the Dead Sea, and the Jordan Valley - Introduction, summary of hikes, and attractions
- Attractions from Jerusalem to the Dead Sea, including Ma'ale Adumim
- A nature walk In the wadis of Maale Adumim
- Ein Prat Nature Reserve
- Ein Mabu'a
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- Ein Gedi - Nahal Arugot
- Along the Jordan Valley
- Qasr el Yahud - Baptismal site
- South of Jerusalem - Herodium, Gush Etzion Springs and Nahal Tekoa
- North of Jerusalem - Nebi Samuel, Beth El, and Shilo
- Fun family cycling in the Judean Mountains, Shefelah and Judean Desert
- From the First Station to Ein Lavan and Ein Haniya
- A desert ride around Ma'ale Adumim
- The Arazim bicycle trail from Arazim Valley Park
- Spectacular views from the Aminidav Forest and Yad Kennnedy
- The Burma Road in the Shefela
- From Tzafririm to the ruins of Itri in the Adulum Park - a village frozen in time
- In Adulam Park - views, lupins and tels
- Britannia Park and Tel Azeka
- A ride around Har Eitan
- Horseback riding close to Jerusalem
- Outdoor swimming in spring-fed pools and swimming pools in and around Jerusalem
- The Zippori Center in the Jerusalem Forest
- The "Country Club" in Ma'ale Adumim
- Ein Hemed National Park (Aqua Bella) for swimming, picnicking and fortified Crusader home
- The Palm Pool at Ein Prat
- The artesian pool at Ein Mabu'a
- The Sport's Club at Ramat Rachel
- Mesilat Zion swimming pool
- Ein Lavan
- The spring-fed pool of Ein Haniya
- Swimming in Shoresh in the Judean Mountains
- The swimming pool at Kibbutz Almog close to the Dead Sea
- A natural-style rock pool by Mevo'ot Yericho in the Jordan Valley
- The spring pool in the Mei Neftoa (Lifta) Nature Reserve close to the Central Bus Station
- The kids pool at Rechelim
- A timeline and list of historical and geographical essays on this website
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The GUSh Etzion Springs
On this popular hike, you will walk along a beautiful forest path with gorgeous views, visit 2 or 3 of the Etzion springs, and explore the ruins of Khirbet Jumjum, a fortified Jewish town from the Second Temple and Talmudic periods.
Time: Hike A takes about 2½ to 3 hours, and this includes time for enjoying the pools and exploring the ruins of Khirbet Jumjum. It is also possible to extend the hike for another hour or so to visit Ein Lavan (Hike B).
Distances: Hike A: 6 Km, Hike B 7.5 Km
Type of hike: Both hikes are circular
Difficulty: There is a fairly steep and slightly slippery section on the first part of the hike, although this can be bypassed if desired. From Khirbet Jumjum there is a moderately steep ascent. Otherwise, this is an easy hike. For Hike B, the return incline can be strenuous due to its length.
Starting point: Parking area at the intersection just before the Gavna catering facility. Just before the parking area are two Keren Kayemet LeIsrael pillars and a Gavna sign.
Directions by car: Enter "Gavna, Bat Ayin" into Waze and click on "Gavna Events".
Public transport: Enter "Kfar Etzion" into Moovit. There are regular buses to Kfar Etzion from outside the Jerusalem Central Bus Station. It is about a 15-minute walk to the starting point from the entrance of Kfar Etzion. From the roundabout outside Kfar Etzion, take the second exit towards Bat Ayin signposted to “Gush Etzion Springs” and “Regional Cemetery”. Take the first turn on the right marked “Gush Etzion Springs”. Continue along this road until you come to the intersection just before the Gavna catering facility.
Security: This hike is in Area C, as is the rest of Gush Etzion. It is in a Jewish enclave and there are no Arab villages in the immediate vicinity. It is a popular hike with usually plenty of people around and is regarded as being safe.
OVERVIEW
THE LONE OAK IN GUSH ETZION
If the centuries-old oak tree outside Alon Shvut could talk - it would have a lot to tell.
The area known today as Gush Etzion was inhabited by Jews during the Second Temple period and beyond, but until the last century there had been no Jewish presence there for over 1,500 years. This began to change in the early twentieth century when two separate attempts were made at resettling the area on land purchased from nearby Arab villages. However, these fledgling communities were abandoned following the Arab riots of 1929 and 1937.
A third attempt to settle the area was made in 1943 by a group of young pioneers that included a number of Holocaust survivors. The hills were rocky and barren, the water supply tenuous, the winter weather bitterly cold, and the settlement was isolated. Despite the difficulties, the settlers of Kfar Etzion and 3 other nearby kibbutzim made steady progress and by 1947 there were about 450 Jews living in Gush Etzion.
Following the approval of the United Nations Partition Plan on November 29 1947, the settlers of the Etzion block had some tough decisions to make. The UN decision was widely celebrated by the Jewish people because of its historic approval of an independent Jewish state, but according to the provisions of the plan Gush Etzion was slated to become part of an Arab state. Hostilities broke out in the country a few hours after the vote, and Arab militias began attacking Jewish vehicles on the roads. Travel between Gush Etzion and Jerusalem became extremely dangerous, and supplying the residents and their defenders with provisions and reinforcements very difficult.
At this point the settlers could have abandoned their homes and moved to Jerusalem. However, the decision was made that only the children and mothers would be evacuated, while the others would remain to face what would likely be a difficult siege. In so doing, they provided crucial relief to the southern Jewish neighborhoods of Jerusalem from Arab forces from the Hebron area.
After a 2-day battle on the eve of Israel’s declaration of independence, Gush Etzion fell to the Jordanian Legion who were aided by British and Arab irregulars. The defenders of Kfar Etzion surrendered their arms, were told to assemble for a photograph, and were shot. The defenders of the other settlements were taken to Jordan as prisoners of war. In total, 151 people died defending Gush Etzion, which was then taken over by the Jordanians.
For each of the next nineteen years, the survivors of Gush Etzion would gather together at a site on the mountains outside of Jerusalem from where they could look across the border and just make out the silhouette of the "Lone Oak Tree," a centuries-old oak growing on a hilltop between them and their abandoned homes. This landmark became a symbol of the hope that one day they would return.
Less than two decades later, after Israel’s surprising victory in the 1967 Six Day War, this is what happened. The Jordanians had been warned not to initiate hostilities when war broke out. Nevertheless, the Jordanians attacked and opened another front against Israel. As a result of their decision, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) had no option but to advance against the Old City, East Jerusalem and the rest of the West Bank.
Israel had no plans to take over Judea and Samaria, but the Jordanian forces retreated and this allowed the IDF to capture these areas with almost no fighting. Following the capture of these historic and strategic areas, there was considerable ambivalence within the Israeli government and the Israeli people about what to do with these areas. Nevertheless, a consensus quickly emerged that Gush Etzion would never be relinquished.
With the permission of the government, Kibbutz Kfar Etzion was reestablished several months after the Six Day War. Many of its members were children of fathers killed during the War of Independence. Shortly after this, a second town was founded adjacent to the Lone Tree and given the symbolic name Alon Shvut, meaning “Tree of Return”.
Today, Gush Etzion is a flourishing suburban area consisting of 19 small Jewish communities and the large towns of Efrat and Beitar Illit, with a combined population of over 80,000 residents, and a thriving agricultural sector based mainly on fruit trees and vineyards.
The trail:
- From the parking area, take the blue-marked jeep trail signposted to חורבת גומג׳ום עין סג׳מה. Soon, on your left, you will see a sign that says “למעין” (to the spring) indicating the path to Ein S’ajma (עין סג׳מה)
. This footpath is slightly difficult because of its steep incline and slipperiness due to frequent use, but it is not dangerous. However, if you wish to bypass this short cut, continue along the jeep trail, turn left at the next intersection, and after about 15 minutes this will bring you to the same point as the short cut.
- When the footpath reaches a jeep trail, turn right, and within a few meters, by the end of the railing, are steps leading down to the spring and pool.
This spring is known in Arabic as Ein S'ajma (Arabic for a “deer”), and is also called “Ein Yitzhak” in memory of Yitzhak Weinstock, a 19-year old from nearby Alon Shvut who was killed by terrorists in 1993 in a roadside attack near Ramallah. The pool is small and 1.8 meters deep. There are a few picnic table here. [A bit further down the hill is a second pool fed from the same spring named “Dubak’s Pool” after Yitzhak’s father who passed away from an illness in 2007 - but this is not part of this hike].
- At the pool turn left onto a footpath marked with a red bicycle symbol painted on a rock. This is a very beautiful footpath that passes through a pine forest, overlooks the valley below, and provides gorgeous views of the surrounding hills and valleys and Beitar Illit in the distance. This bicycle trail runs parallel to a blue-marked jeep trail slightly above it. The trail emerges in front of the ruins of Khirbet Jumjum (חורבת גומג׳ום)
.
- To view the ruins, take the path straight ahead up the hill.
This was a fortified Jewish town in the Second Temple period and was also inhabited during the Byzantine and Mamluke periods. It is worthwhile going to the top of the hill to view the ruins. Excavations in 2005 and 2008 uncovered ossuaries, burial caves and winepresses. Turn to the left when you get to the top to look for a ritual bath (mikvah), water cistern, and the remains of an olive press. The view from the top of the hill is spectacular.
After descending from Khirbet Jumjum on the same path you went up you have two options:
Hike A (shorter):
- Go through the open area in the fence and take an immediate left onto a path which initially parallels the jeep trail on the other side of the fence. Follow this trail on the outside of the vineyard until it meets the blue-marked paved road. Then turn left up the hill.
- Towards the top of the hill, the blue-marked trail comes to an intersection. Take the right fork onto the blue-marked jeep trail, and this will lead you to the pool of Ein Huvela
.
In contrast to the other pools in this area, the main pool of Ein Huvela is enclosed and functions as a mikvah for the male residents of Bat Ayin and other nearby areas. Enter and you will get a wonderful spiritual and physical jolt because the water is so cold! The spring can be reached from the pool by crawling through the narrow tunnel near the mikvah to a water-filled cave. Across the road from the mikva is a hummus joint which is open in the afternoon and evening. It does not serve dairy – so forget the latte.
Hike B (longer):
- By the base of the hill of Khirbet Jumjum is a bicycle trail on the left (facing towards the hill) indicated by a red bicycle trail sign. This will take you to the next valley along. Close to the bottom of the valley, it joins with a green-marked jeep trail. Turn left here and it will lead you to Ein Livna
.
Ein Livna has only a small pool, but at 2.5 meters it is quite deep. Take this into consideration before you jump in. There are picnic tables close to the pool.
- From Ein Livna continue ascending up the valley. The settlement of Bat Ayin is on your right. This settlement was founded in 1989 and now has a population of over 1,000 people. At the top of the hill you will see a footpath that climbs up to Ein Huvela.
From Ein Huvela to your car (both hikes):
- From Ein Huvela, continue up the blue-marked trail to the left of the pool. At the next intersection turn left, and at the intersection after this turn right onto the continuation of the blue-marked trail.
- When you come to a paved road turn right. Your car is a short distance past the Gavna events center.
Nearby places of interest: (Click here for a comprehensive listing from the official Gush Etzion Tourism:
Gush Etzion Heritage Center is in Kibbutz Kfar Etzion and is a memorial to the people who gave their lives protecting the communities of the Etzion Bloc during Israel’s War of Independence. A very moving sound and light show can be seen in either Hebrew or English. This site was recently declared a National Heritage Project by the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. It is open Sunday to Thursday in the summer from 9.00 AM -5.00 PM and in the winter from 9.00 AM - 4.00 PM. Admission fee is 25 NIS. It is advisable to call beforehand. Tel: 02 993 5160 or 02 993 8308.
Gush Etzion Winery at the Gush Etzion Junction. Visitors can visit the wine production area and taste the wines in the Visitors Center. Open Sundays 10.00 AM-5.00 PM and Fridays 9.00 AM-2.00 PM. Tel: 02 930 9220.
Deer Land Park: This has a nature reserve, petting zoo, climbing wall, 360-degree swings, bungee trampoline, paintball, archery, marksmanship, horseriding, 4x4 jeep rides, and a 400 meter-long zipline that crosses the valley at a height of 120 meters. It is open in the summer from 9.30 AM-5.00 PM, and 9.30 AM-1.00 PM on Fridays, and in the winter from 9.30 AM-4.30 PM and 9.30 AM-12.30 PM on Fridays. The price is between 10-25 NIS for each activity and 100 NIS for the zipline. Telephone: 02 570 9768.
The Lone Oak Tree is located by the town of Alon Shvut. Relax and listen to the recording.
The Workship Gush Etzion is at Rosh Tzurim. Design and make Judaica objects using specialized woodworking tools during a 2½-hour session that is suitable for everyone age 6 and over. Telephone: 054 678 5813.
Ein S'ajma is the first spring you will come to. It is not very deep and is good for a refreshing dip.
Spectacular views from the forest path between Ein S'ajma and Khirbat Jumjum.
Khirbat Jumjum has ruins from Second Temple times and also Byzantine and Mamluke remains. It's worth a walk to the top, if only for the view.
Ein Huvela functions as the mikveh for Bat Ayin. It's an experience - socially (it also functions as a sort of Bat Ayin men's club), physically (the water is cold) and spiritually. Also, try out the hummus joint across the road.
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