It’s been a tough year. For some of us, winter seemed to drag on forever. I don’t know about the rest of you, but despite the challenges we are currently facing as a country (or maybe because of them), I am ready to take a breath of fresh air and enjoy the beauty of spring. The Passover season and the renewal it brings come just in the nick of time this year. Just because things are tough doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t take a moment to appreciate the many gifts we have been given.
So this Pesach, I hope to get outdoors and enjoy Israel in a way that I haven’t been able to in a while. We’re planning a beach day. I hope to to sit in the yard and soak up the beauty of blossoming flowers over the holiday. And, of course, we’re planning some perfect for the season hikes in nature with our extended family.
Because this year is a bit different than others, I felt like it deserved its very own selection of top hikes for the season. The road map of comfortable trails (quiet, but safe) looks different this spring. Here are some of my top picks for Pesach in Israel 2024:
Borot and Be’erot
Looks like we’ll be staying local this year! In Jerusalem and Central Israel, you’ll reap the rewards of blossoming wildflowers, shade trees, and relatively stable GPS signals.
The Borot and Be’erot (Cisterns and Wells) trail is a great trail for families on Pesach. Located in Park Britannia near Beit Shemesh, this humble hike tends to be a bit less crowded than some of the more popular paths in Israel. During springtime, blooming flowers and green growth turn the place into a little wonderland.
Your kids will love discovering the old cisterns and wells along the way. Grab a handful of rocks to test the depth of each well as you go.
The Borot and Be’erot trail is 5 kilometers long. Read the full post with hike maps right here.
Springs Trail Jerusalem
Lucky us – it’s going to be nice and warm this Pesach. That means that hikes with a water feature are a major plus. Enter The Springs Trail near Jerusalem, a gorgeous trail that leads past several spring pools.
April and May are the best months of the year to hike this glorious trail. The pools are nice and full after plentiful winter rains, and gorgeous wildflowers grace the sides of the trail. On this out and back trail, you’ll also discover cool caves and a beautiful forest. Make sure to bring along a picnic or barbecue and enjoy a post hike feast in the beautiful picnic area at the beginning of the trail.
The Springs Trail is 3 kilometers long. Read the full post with hike maps right here.
Adulam: Burgin and Itri Ruins
Anyone who knows me well knows that I’m partial to Adulam Reserve. This vast natural area near Beit Shemesh is full of hidden mysteries, magnificent beauty, and so many different hiking trails. One of my favorite hikes for families in the park is the circular trail between Burgin and Itri, two ancient towns in the Judean Hills.
Hike along this trail and you’ll discover the wonders of spring in Adulam, bringing butterflies, green grass, and colorful flowers to the scene. At one end of the trail, your family will get to explore ancient Itri, a Second Temple town with underground tunnels, burial caves, and more. At the other, Burgin Ruins has an equally impressive number of cool caves to walk and crawl through.
Although people tend to gather at the two archeological sites, the trail itself remains relatively quiet. This hike in Adulam fits the bill for a quiet hike in a safe area this Pesach.
The full trail at Burgin and Itri is 6.5 kilometers long. Read the full post with maps right here.
Nahal HaMeara
Lots of people have been to Ma’arat HaTeumim, the cool bat cave near Beit Shemesh. This is a great little hike – but it can be crowded, especially over the holidays. But did you know that the trail to Ma’arat HaTeumim is part of a longer, more beautiful trail that tends to stay fairly quiet?
Nahal HaMeara is one of the most beautiful dry stream beds in the Jerusalem area. If you have kids who like adventure, they’ll love this downhill, one-way hike that weaves through a valley of shade and smooth rock. You’ll hear birds chirping and the sound of gentle wind blowing through the trees. Enjoy the quiet while you can. At the end of the trail, a more festive atmosphere awaits at the rock slide and bat cave.
The one way trail at Nahal HaMeara is 6.5 kilometers long. Read the full post with hike maps right here.
Shvil HaElot
Looking for a really short little trail? Try Shvil HaElot in Park Britannia. This 2.5 kilometer trail is quiet, shady, and off the beaten track. It’s perfect for little legs, with pint sized obstacles (rocks, tree roots) that will keep your kids busy.
As with all of the trails in Park Britannia, there’s plenty of greenery on this sweet trail. The flowers of spring are an added bonus during the months of March and April.
The full trail at Shvil HaElot is 2.5 kilometers long. Read the full post with maps right here.
Khan Sha’ar HaGai & A Nature Workshop
Okay, so this isn’t exactly a hike…but have you been to Khan Sha’ar HaGai? This amazing interactive museum is free for National Parks members. Inside, you’ll learn about the siege on Jerusalem in 1948 in a way that the entire family will enjoy. My kids loved it.Â
A trip to this museum pairs nicely with a nature workshop. Just a five-minute drive from Khan Sha’ar HaGai, the Hiking the Holyland camp hosts fascinating, fun events that teach about fire building, flower identification, wild edibles, and more. These activities in the forest fit the bill for an activity that’s quiet, local, and full of natural beauty.
Read the full info with maps and details right here.
Nahal Katlav
Nahal Katlav is one hike that’s featured on many of my lists of top trails. Why? Because it’s always beautiful, always shady, and always quiet. Located near Nes Harim, this trail can be hiked one way into the valley, down a magnificent stream bed towards the Sorek Stream.Â
I’ve hiked this trail so many times with family and friends, and I never get tired of it. Make sure to keep a close eye out for wild edibles as you go – Nahal Katlav is a great place to find early blackberries, grapes, and more.
The one way trail at Nahal Katlav is 5 kilometers long. Read the full post with maps right here.
Attitude of Gratitude
Bottom line: There’s no time like the present to show our gratitude for the gifts we have been given as a nation. This Pesach is an opportunity to appreciate the beauty of Israel and to connect with the physical land. Hiking trails filled with wildflowers await – all you have to do is lace up your shoes and step outdoors.
