This is a very beautiful and interesting circular hike that ascends to the top of Tel Adulam from where there are fantastic views of the Elah Valley and Judean Mountains. There are also some caves to explore. The trail then descends to the bottom of the tel and encircles it.
Do you find this website helpful? Then you are sure to like “In and Around Jerusalem for Everyone,” a guide to the best walks, hikes and attractions in and around Jerusalem. For more details, rave reviews, and purchasing options see our Home page.
Watch this short video!
Time: Approximately 1½ hours
Distance: 3½ Km
Difficulty: Mainly an easy hike on jeep trails. However, there is one 10-15 minute section close to the top of the tel which is steep and a bit difficult, although not dangerous.
Directions and starting point: Enter "תל עדולם" into Waze. This will take you through the moshav Neve Michael and along country roads to close to the top of the tel. But stop at a 3-way junction where the paved road comes to an end and park your car here. If you find yourself driving on a rough jeep trail you have gone too far.
Public transport: There is no close public transport.
The ancient Biblical city of Adulam
Adulam is mentioned a number of times in the Bible. It was an important Canaanite city and is mentioned in the Book of Joshua (Joshua 12:15 and 15:35). Prior to this, the book of Genesis tells us that Judah left his father and brothers to partner with the Canaanite Hira from Adulam (Genesis 38:1) and it is here that he met his Canaanite wife. David hid in Adulam after being expelled from Gath by King Achish while fleeing from King Saul who was seeking to kill him. He gathered here his family "and every man who was in distress, and every man who had a creditor, and every man of embittered spirit, gathered themselves to him, and he became a chief over them; and there were about 400 men with him." (Samuel 22:2). This is the beginnings of his becoming a military leader. Could the cave on the top of the tel be the cave in which David and his men hid out? it is difficult to know as there are other caves in the area. Nevertheless, the place he hid is called in the Bible the "cave of Adulam." The place was inhabited as a Muslim village early in the Ottoman period, but was uninhabited at least by the 1800's.
The trail:
Entrance to the cave on the tel at the base of a stone wall. Is this the cave in which David and his men hid? it could be.
Copyright 2015 inandaroundjerusalem. All rights reserved.