In and around Jerusalem


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  • Summary of walks in JerusalemClick to open the Summary of walks in Jerusalem menu
    • The City of David
    • An introduction to the Old City
    • The Jerusalem Archaeological Park, Davidson Center and the Western Wall
    • On the Temple Mount
    • The Jewish Quarter - community building, destruction and renewal
    • The northern Rampart of the Old City wall and the Via Dolorosa
    • Mount Zion via the southern rampart of the Old City wall
    • Nachla'ot and Mahane Yehuda Market ('the Shuk")
    • Teddy Kollek - a great builder of Jerusalem
    • Ein Kerem and its artisans via the Jerusalem Forest
    • Yemin Moshe to Nahalat Shivah
    • Givat Ram - birds, roses, the Supreme Court and Knesset
    • The German Colony and Liberty Bell Park
    • Jerusalem during the British Mandate - from Mamilla Mall to the First Station
    • Pioneers of modern Jerusalem - Dr. Ticho, Ben-Yehuda and Rav Kook - in the city center
    • The Sherover and Haas Promenades and water supply system for Second Temple Jerusalem
    • The haredi neighborhoods of Zikhron Moshe and Meah She'arim
    • The gorgeous Jerusalem Biblical Zoo
    • Nature walk: the Cedar Trail in the Jerusalem Forest.
    • Nature walk: Gazelle Valley Park
    • 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 overviewClick to open the The Judean Mountains (west of Jerusalem) - Summary of hikes and overview menu
    • The Shvil Hamaayanot and Yad Kennedy memorial
    • To Ein Kerem via Ein Hindak and the Ein Kerem National Park
    • The springs of Emeq Refaim
    • 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 Tzuba Spring 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 Ein Kfira spring
  • IN THE SHEFELAH (LOWLANDS) - Summary of Hikes and OverviewClick to open the IN THE SHEFELAH (LOWLANDS) - Summary of Hikes and Overview menu
    • Hiking to Tel Azeka
    • A walk to the ruins of Qeiyafa - Goliath will you please stop hollering?
    • To the ruins of Quiyafa from the Elah Valley
    • Tel Tzafit and the Philistines
    • Neot Kedumim and agriculture in ancient Israel
    • A circular hike around Givat Hatourmusim (Hill of Lupins)/ Tel Socho
    • Tel Adulam
    • Hiking in the Bet Guvrin-Maresha National Park
    • The ancient synagogue at Um el-Umdan, Sher Hill, and the Maccabees of Modi'in
    • Midras, Itri and the Bar Kochba Revolt
    • Discovering the Roman city of Emmaus in the Ayalon Canada Park
    • Burgin
  • The Judean Desert, the Dead Sea, and the Jordan Valley - Introduction, summary of hikes, and attractionsClick to open the The Judean Desert, the Dead Sea, and the Jordan Valley  - Introduction, summary of hikes, and attractions menu
    • 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
    • Ein Qelt
    • Nahal Og
    • Qumran
    • Enot Tsukim/(Ein Feshkha for swimming and nature stroll
    • The Botanical Gardens in Kibbutz Ein Gedi
    • Nahal David, Ein Gedi Spring and ancient synagogue at Ein Gedi
    • Ein Gedi - Nahal Arugot
    • Along the Jordan Valley
    • Qasr el Yahud National Park
  • South of Jerusalem - Herodium, Gush Etzion Springs and Nahal TekoaClick to open the South of Jerusalem - Herodium, Gush Etzion Springs and Nahal Tekoa menu
    • Herodium
    • The Gush Etzion Springs
    • Nahal Tekoa
  • North of Jerusalem - Nebi Samuel, Beth El, and ShiloClick to open the North of Jerusalem - Nebi Samuel, Beth El, and Shilo menu
    • Nebi Samuel National Park
    • Beth El - the place of a dream
    • The Tabernacle at Shilo
  • Fun family cycling in the Judean Mountains, Shefelah and Judean DesertClick to open the Fun family cycling in the Judean Mountains, Shefelah and Judean Desert menu
    • 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 JerusalemClick to open the Outdoor swimming in spring-fed pools and swimming pools in and around Jerusalem menu
    • The Zippori Center in the Jerusalem Forest
    • The "Country Club "in Ma'ale Adumim, the most beautiful city in Israel
    • Ein Hemed National Park (Aqua Bella) - 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
    • Swimming at Enot Tsukim/ Ein Feshkha by 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 of Jerusalem and list of essays on this website
  • Outdoor trips suitable for a stroller or wheelchair
  • Common flowers in the Judean Mountains
  • Trees, bushes and flowers of the Desert
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A desert RIDE round Ma'ale Adumim 



This is a circular ride on the security road around Ma’ale Adumim. A security road does not sound that exciting  - but this one is. Much of the time, you feel as if you are cycling far from the city. Rather you are in the desert overlooking wadis and Bedouin encampments and experiencing spectacular views of the hills of the Judean desert. Ma'ale Adumim is built on top of interconnected hills and much of this ride is on moderately flat roads except for a long last section which has a moderate elevation. 

Ma’ale Adumim is an extremely well-planned garden city, with spacious parks, play areas and roads lined with palms and colorful shrubs. This alone makes it worth a visit.

Shamir Park in Ma'ale Adumim is a good place to leave younger members of your family and a non-cyling spouse while you hit the trail. There is boating on the lake, green lawns for relaxing, dairy and meat restaurants, and during the summer months kids' activities and rides. But there are not a lot of benches on the lawns and no picnic tables. Entrance to the park is free, but the boat rides are not. The disadvantage of using this park as a starting point is that there is a 1¾-mile ride up the hill to the start of the trail, although the incline is not excessively steep.  

Distance: 11 km  (from the rehabilitation hospital)

Difficulty: Most of the trail is on paved roads and suitable for thin-wheeled or hybrid bikes. The ride is moderately flat, except for the last section, which is a long uphill with a moderate elevation. About 80% of the trail has a barrier or fence between the road and the side of the wadis, and is therefore suitable for responsible children. For the other 20% they will need to be careful.

Starting point: There are two possible starting points - either from Shamir Park or from the parking lot of the rehabiliation hospital on Har Habayit close to the center of town .  

Directions from Jerusalem: Enter "Shamir Park" on Waze and click on פארק שמיר/דרך הר  הצופים". Take the slip road to Ma’aleh Adumim (route 471) from route 1 and then the central entrance (which is well marked) to Maale Adumim. Shortly before the security check is Shamir Park on the left. Park here or continue into town. At the second roundabout (roundabout #3), which contains a large dove statue, turn right on Har Habayit. At the next roundabout (roundabout #2), turn left on Dereck Zemach Ha’Sade. Just after the bus stop on the right, turn right into the parking lot of a non-active rehabilitation hospital and park your car here.  

  • If you are starting from Shamir Park, cycle up to the rehabiliation hospital parking lot on Har Habayit.
  • Facing the building, take the path that goes around the right side of the rehabilitation hospital - this will lead you to Ha’Eshel St. Cross this road and to the right of Has-Shita St. you will see ahead two do-not-enter signs (except for security vehicles). This is the security road you will be riding on. 
  • Shortly after entering the security road take the turning on the left. Notice here a rock with the image of a bicycle on it. There are a number of these signs throughout this route to guide you. 
  • After about 15 minutes (4 Km), there is a fork not marked with a rock and cycle sign. Take the right-hand fork overlooking the wadi. 
  • Shortly after this, there is another fork in the path. Take the road to the left (and not the road to the right which heads down the valley to a water treatment facility). There are no further roads down to the wadi and for the next few intersections keep to the right along the security road. 
  • The security path eventually comes to an end opposite an observatory with a dome. Cross the empty parking lot and head onto the main road (Derekh Kedem). Turn left towards the center of town.  
  • You will pass a number of roundabouts. At each one continue straight ahead on Derekh Kedem.
  • At the fourth roundabout, #10, it is worthwhile taking a short detour to view Park Mishpacha. by turning right on Derekh Ha’gai and shortly on your right you will come to Park Hamishpacha. This is a beautifully laid out park with colorful foliage and climbing equipment for kids.  
  • Return to roundabout #10 and continue cycling along Derekh Kedem. You will pass the parking lot for the outdoor shopping mall Kikar Yahalom, then the indoor shopping mall Kanyon Adumim, and then city hall. There are many restaurants in both Kikar Yahalom and Kanyon Adumim. 
  • At roundabout # 3, which has a statue of a large dove, continue straight ahead on Derekh Har Ha’tsofim if you are parked at Shamir park and this will take you directly to your car. Otherwise, if you are parked outside the rehabilitation hospital, turn left onto Har Habayit.  
  • At roundabout #2  you will see your parking lot on your left. Turn left on Dereck Zemach Ha’Sade. Just after the bus stop on the right, turn right into the parking lot of the rehabilitation hospital.

For nearby places of interest - see the page on this website "In the Judean Desert - Introduction, summary of hikes and attractions".

 

A view of the Judean desert from the bicycle path overlooking one of the many Bedouin encampments in the wadis around Maale Adumim

 

Ma'ale Adumim is at a transition zone for vegetation, having vegetation typical for both the Judean Mountains and  Judean Desert.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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arnoldslyper@inandaroundjerusalem.com