Explore Like a Local: Gush Etzion

Get there with Google Maps	Get there with Waze	Get there with Moovit
Trail Map	Hike it with Google Earth
Distance: 3.5km	Time: 2-3 hours	Difficulty: Easy-Moderate
Ascent: m	Russian Monastery	Russian Monastery

Ever wish you could explore a new area like a local?

My husband and I talk about this all the time when we’re gallivanting around Israel, searching for new and exciting places. Some hiking trails and outdoor hotspots are widely known—you’ll find them on every popular hiking website and blog.

But what about those hidden gems, the places only locals know about? The quieter, off-the-beaten-path spots that haven’t gained the fame or crowds of the more popular destinations?

Whenever we travel around Israel, we make an effort to uncover those hidden spots. Sometimes we succeed; other times, we don’t. But there’s one place where we truly experience life like locals: Gush Etzion, where we’ve lived for the past twenty years.

This past Friday, we decided to stay close to home and enjoy a mini-adventure. Our plan included great food, beautiful scenery, and a dose of local history. If you’d like to experience Gush Etzion like a local, come along as we share three fun finds from our day.

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All You Can Drink Wine

Wine for breakfast? Absolutely.

I usually don’t mix wine with my morning coffee, but this past Friday we stumbled upon a delightful surprise at an old-time Gush Etzion favorite. Every Friday, Yekev Gush Etzion offers a buffet brunch—complete with all-you-can-drink wine.

We hadn’t known about it when we wandered in that morning. But I’m never one to pass up a chance to sample seven different wines from our favorite local winery. More importantly, the breakfast spread was beautiful, varied, and simply perfect.

At just 90 NIS per person, this brunch is an amazing deal. Once we committed, we loaded our plates with gourmet delicacies and settled in under the pergola outside. We slowly savored every bite, and each glass of wine was better than the last.

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A Walk Through the Woods

After all that eating and drinking, we definitely needed to move a bit.

Earlier that morning (before brunch), I’d gone for a run and passed through a forest path I knew we had to return to. So we planned a 4-kilometer loop through those woods, past cherry orchards and vineyards of Gush Etzion.

The trail was peaceful and scenic, winding between sun and shade. We passed by a spring (which we didn’t visit this time) and caught a glimpse of the annual cherry festival in full swing.

Our walk stopped at Mitzpor Tzvika, then looped back through the grape fields and into the forest. Although we had already eaten, we couldn’t help but notice a charming picnic area along the way—perfect for a quiet meal in the woods.

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The Russian Monastery

Next stop: the Russian Monastery. I’ll admit—despite living in Gush Etzion for over 20 years, I’d never visited this local landmark near the junction.

It’s one of those places everyone knows about but rarely actually visits. Clearly marked on every local map, it sits in the heart of Gush Etzion.

After our hike, we figured it was time to finally see what it was all about. We followed the signs, driving up a dusty hill to reach the site.

By then, the midday sun was blazing. We got out of the car to find crumbling walls, a few signs, and not much else—at least at first glance.

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A Bit of History

The monastery was built in 1892 by the Russian Orthodox Church as a hostel for pilgrims traveling between Jerusalem and Hebron.

The monks who lived there worked the land and occasionally sheltered refugees from local violence. During Israel’s War of Independence, the Gush Etzion high command used the monastery’s high vantage point to monitor the roads.

Before the fall of Kfar Etzion, the Arab Legion captured the site, eventually destroying the monastery and uprooting its orchards.

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Going Underground

While the surface ruins were modest, the real magic was hidden below.

We entered the monastery’s underground chambers—cool, quiet tunnels that led to small, dark rooms. It felt like stepping into an air-conditioned refuge, a welcome escape from the scorching heat. We wandered through each tunnel, soaking in the cool stillness.

After exploring every passageway, we emerged into the daylight and made our way home.

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Gush Etzion Like a Local

In just one short Friday morning, we uncovered three local gems that deserve more attention. Gush Etzion has so much more to offer anyone who has time to thoroughly explore the area. But our mini-adventure included fine wine, a gourmet meal, a scenic hike, and a fascinating glimpse into history—all without leaving our own backyard.

What more could you want out of a Friday morning?