In and around Jerusalem

This very pleasant circular walk in the Begin Forest visits the ancient spring of Ein Kobi and  hikes through the luscious ravine of Nahal Kobi.

Kobi was a Jewish village in Mishnaic times and Ein Kobi was its water source. The Arab village of Al Kabu was also located here.

Distance: 2¼ Km

Time: 60 minutes of walking

Difficulty: This is an easy hike on a footpath and jeep road. The descent in the ravine is quiet steep, but you are walking down and there are wooden or stone steps throughout. The return is on a smooth gravel road. 

Starting point: Just outside the ruins of the ancient village of Kobi.

Directions: Enter into Waze: "Ein Kobi".

Enter the Begin Forest from route 375, a few kilometers west of Beitar Elit. Shortly there is a fork in the road. Take the right fork along the paved road for 1½ Km until it ends at the next junction. 

Parking: Park your car on the sides of the roads at the 4-way junction. 

Public transport:  There is no bus stop close to the forest.

• Visit first the spring. Look for a sign containing a white map close to the road junction where you are parked that is labelled "Ein Kobi עין קובי". Go down the few steps to a footpath that leads to a structure (בית המיין) enclosed by green railing. The spring is below here. If you are adventurous, there are steps down to a wet underground tunnel that leads from the spring to a subterranean cistern. Most people, though, will probably elect to walk to this water-containing chamber (חדר איגם). It also is enclosed by green railings and there are steps down. You will need a flashlight to see it well. From this cistern, water was led to the pools and irrigation channels you can see outside, although nowadays they are usually dry. 

• Go past the ruins of a mosque to find the red trail that leads to the ravine of Nahal Kob. This is also a schvill Yisrael trail. It is a fairly steep trail, but there are steps conveniently located. You will pass thick vegetation and as you descend there are great views of the forested hills.  Periodically, there are benches to rest on. 

• Eventually, you will come to a gravel road. Either return up the ravine or for a circular walk turn right onto this green trail which is signposed to עין קובי. From this road, there are wonderful views of the surrounding hills and the railway below in Emeq Refaim. Emeq Refaim starts in Jerusalem and eventually joins up with Nahal Sorek. 

• At the first intersection turn right up the hill. This will take you back to your car parked at the intersection before Ein Kobi.

The descent through the ravine is somewhat steep, but there are numerous steps and it is quite easy .

There are great views as you descend the path in Nahal Kobi.

The spring leads via a tunnel to a subterranean pool, the entrance to which is pictured here. Both the spring and pool can be visited, but the pool is much easier. A flashlight is helpful.  

If you are in an adventurous mood, these steps will lead you down to the spring and the wet tunnel leading to the subterranean pool.