In and around Jerusalem

Ein Lavan is one of the most delightful spring-fed pools in the Jerusalem area, and is an ideal place for a family picnic or trip with the grandkids. There are two pools - one suitable for children and the other for toddlers. There is no entrance fee. 



Both pools are about 4 meters long. The depth of the larger pool is about half a meter and a bit higher in the winter. It’s great for kids to swim in, but too shallow for adults. The water is not particularly cold. There is smooth concrete on the bottom so footware is not needed. Entry into the pool is via steps. 

On the terrace above is a shallow pool for smaller children. Its depth is to just below the knees of an average-height male. There are steps to enter, and it has a smooth and sometimes somewhat slippery concrete bottom.

Below the pools are terraced areas for relaxing and picnicking, with some shaded areas. The shaded areas are taken up quickly during the summer so you may be without shade. The ground surface is dirt, and only some areas have grass. So, you might want to bring ground-covering or chairs. There are no picnic tables, drinking water, WC's, or designated changing area. 

 

Public transport:

There are two ways to get to Ein Lavan by public transport. The quickest way is to take a bus to the Biblical Zoo. A more scenic way is to take a bus to the Ora Intersection (the bus stop before Hadassa Medical Center) and to walk down the hill to the pools:

From the Biblical Zoo or Aquarium: Enter "Jerusalem Biblical Zoo" or "אקווריום" into Moovit. From the zoo, walk through its parking lot and past the Aquarium. The entrance to Ein Lavan is where the paved road comes to an end and changes to a jeep trail. It's about a 15-minute walk from the zoo.

From Ora Intersection (Tzomet Ora): Take the bus to Tzomet Ora. Just beyond the first roundabout after Tzomet Ora on the Mesho'a Ora Rd. (i.e. in the direction away from Hadassah Medical Center and Route 369) is a brown sign on the road indicating "White Valley", and after this a paved road with a pedestrian and cyclist sign. This paved path soon turns into a jeep road. You will pass an ancient wine fermentation area and mikva on your right. A mosaic sign "עין לבן" points down the valley. There are many interconnected paths in this area, but follow the jeep trail marked with either a blue-marker or a Shvil Yisrael-marker and you will not go wrong. After some distance, you will see Ein Lavan park below you. Look out for a footpath on your left indicated by a Schvil Yisrael marking leading to Ein Lavan. When the footpath comes to a paved road with railings follow it to the right and very soon you will come to steps leading into the park. 

Driving directions and parking: Enter "Ein Lavan” into Waze. This will take you through the parking lot of the Biblical Zoo and past the Israel Aquarium. Continue on this paved road until it ends at a gravel jeep path by the entrance to Ein Lavan. There is parking on the side of the road. Ascend to the pools via the steps. There is a paved road just before this that can be used for a wheelchair or stroller.

 

 

Nearby places of interest:

The pool of Ein Haniya. A path with steps leads from Ein Lavan down the valley to the pool of Ein Haniya. The walk takes about 20 minutes. The path goes under the railway line via a short tunnel. Ein Haniya is a bigger and deeper pool than Ein Lavan and is suitable for adult swimming. It is currently closed for renovations but is scheduled to open the beginning of 2020.

The Biblical zoo is only a short distance from Ein Lavan. (See our webpage on the "Jerusalem Biblical Zoo")

The Israel Aquarium is only a short distance from the zoo. It displays the aquatic life found predominantly in the Mediterranean and Red Seas. Tickets need to be booked in advance. Details are available on their website. There are guided tours in the morning, which are also available in English, and self-guided visits from 3.00 PM to 5.00 PM, weekends and holidays.  Admission is 50 NIS for adults, 45 NIS for children 3-18 years, and 30 NIS for soldiers and seniors. Their telephone number is (073) 339-9000.

 

 

 

 

The path to Ein Haniyah. Although the pool of Ein Haniya is currently closed, the path to this pool from Ein Lavan is a very pretty one.