This is a very pleasant hike with wonderful views over the Elah Valley and ending at the ruins of Quiyafa. You can walk inside the walls of the fortress.
THE RUINS OF QEIYAFA
There has been a long-running debate among Israeli archeologists, particularly from the Biblical minimalists. as to whether the biblical account of King David is exaggerated and David was no more than a tribal chief or warlord, or whether the picture described in the Bible of a powerful and influential monarch is correct. The findings at Queyafa have swung this debate in favor of the BIble.
Carbon dating of olive pits found in its ruins date this city to the time of King David. This is important information, as there is a paucity of archeological findings from this historic period. Moreover, only a centralized government of an organized state would have had the resources to create a regional center and military outpost such as Qeiyafa.
Many of the archeological findings indicate that Qeiyafa was a Jewish city. These include the finding of 5 lines of ancient Hebrew writing on an ostracon, and a jar with a Jewish name written on it (see pictures below).
This walled city stood for about 50 years and was then probably abandoned. By then, it may have outlived its usefulness as a "border" fortress.
Distance: Just over 8¾ Km
Time: Approximately 3½ hours
Type of walk: Circular
Difficulty: Easy walk with some inclines
Starting point: Parking lot for Socho
Directions and parking: Enter into Waze "Givat HaTourmusim" or גבעת התורמוסים. The entrance is not very conspicuous and is 2.3 Km along route 375 from the roundabout on route 38.
Public transport: Buses 475 or 417 go from from Binyanei Ha’umah to Bet Shemesh. From Bet Shemesh, take bus 26 to Tzomet Ha’Elah and it’s about a 10-minute walk to the Tel Socho/Givat HaTourmusim parking lot along route 375. However, there is no footpath along this road, so that a safer alternative is to go into the Paz Gas Station at Tzomet Ha’Elah and close to its main entrance on route 38 is the beginning of the green-marked bicycle trail Schvill Adulum. Continue on this trail until you see an unmarked trail on your left with an exit sign pointing to where you have just come from and this will lead you to the parking lot of Givat HaTourmusim.
The trail
- Adjacent to the entrance/exit to the parking area is a tunnel under route 375. Adults will have to bend slightly.
- After exiting from the tunnel turn to the left. In front of you is part of a large orchard of almond trees. The orchard is in sections.
- After a slight curve to the right, the dirt path joins with a somewhat gravely path on the left. Follow this path along the edge of the orchard.
- The path makes a sharp right turn for the second time. When you can go no further turn left at intersection I1 following the schvil yisrael sign.
- At the corner of the orchard continue straight ahead and follow the path as it curves to the right through an area of brush and crosses a very small “stream, which is Nahal Elah.”
- At intersection I2, continue ahead on a broad path through the middle of the orchard (and not to the left as the schvil yisrael sign indicates).
- When you come to waterpipes at intersection I3, turn right following the direction of the schvil yisrael markings.
- At the next gravely path (I4) turn to the left. At intersection I5 by another water system and pipes you will see shortly ahead a narrow gate with a schvil yisrael marking on one of the poles. Go through the gate and turn right onto a jeep trail with metal guards on the left side of the road.
- Where there is a break in the metal guards at I6 turn to the left onto a rough jeep trail going up the hill.
- At the fork close to the top of the hill turn left (I7). (To the right is Ramat Beit Shemesh). This trail along the top of the cliff is also a schvil yisrael trail and is flatter.
(You will pass a trail on your left going down the hill with schvil yisrael markings. Remember it, as this is the trail you will be returning on).
- After a while, you will see the walls of Quyafa. After some distance there is footpath on your right going to the ruins. It is unmarked other than a faded schvil yisrael marking on a rock. When you come to a fork, take the left fork and this will lead you to a gap in the walls of the ruins. There is a low wire here, but it is easy to cross over.
- You are now within the fortress. Take the loop trail to the left and make a loop around the fortress.
- To return, return to the path by the gap in the wall. A sign indicates not to pass this way, probably because there is a pit shortly after crossing the wire. However, it is well protected by a wire fence.
- At the schvil yisrael path turn left and continue to the schvil yisrael marking indicating a path down the hill.
