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| Distance: 3.1km | Time: 1-2 hours | Difficulty: Easy-Moderate |
| Ascent: 136m |
December time. The weather is finally cooling down here in Israel. Winter rains are beginning to fall. And all of this means one thing for hikers and nature lovers…
Flower season has begun!
At this time of year, hiking trails that are parched and dry throughout the summer months take on a green tinge, as dormant grasses begin to peek through the newly drenched earth. Flowers of all types are poking up through the soil, one by one. There are little pink autumn crocus flowers, the beginnings of purple cyclamen, and white narcissus blooms all over the place.
This past Friday, we decided to take advantage of this shift in seasons to check out a new flower covered hill that we’ve never before explored. Tel Kisalon was right in the middle of many trails we had hiked in years past, but we had not yet climbed up the tel itself.
So we put together all the fixings for an epic picnic breakfast, filled up our thermos with hot coffee, scoped out a short hiking trail on the map, and set out for Tel Kisalon.
This Jerusalem Mountains hiking spot was exactly what we were hoping it would be. We got to enjoy a fabulous picnic in a quiet place with gorgeous views, and we also hiked a nice trail full of wildflowers. It was so beautiful and quiet that I can’t wait to go back.
Here’s how we explored Tel Kisalon and the surrounding area:
Familiar Terrain
We pulled into a parking/picnic area that we had been to many, many times before. This spot is just off the Israel Trail, and right near Einot Boker and Ein Kisalon. In the past, we had always parked and then set out on a marked hiking trail.
But this time we headed straight up an unmarked path to the top of the hill.
We climbed and climbed up Tel Kisalon, enjoying stops along the way to take in spectacular views. Crumbling walls and ancient stonework added charm to this grassy hill. It was also, simply, a quiet and lovely place.
The story of these ruins was a familiar one: most of what’s visible on Tel Kisalon today is the remains of an Arab village called Kisla, which was vacated in 1948. But the history of the place goes as far back as biblical times, where the ancient city, Kisalon, served as a border town between the Israelite territories of Benjamin and Judah.
Perfect Place for a Picnic
We were hungry and ready for coffee, so we found a perfect perch in a grassy area overlooking the Judean Hills and set up our picnic blanket.
One thing I noticed about the top of Tel Kisalon were the many almond trees. At this time of year, they looked scraggly and dormant, with just the husks of last year’s almonds clinging to the branches. But I imagined that this area would be incredibly beautiful in January, when white blossoms burst forth, the first flowering fruit trees of the season.
It was completely peaceful in this spot in nature. Tel Kisalon is not far from civilization, yet in some ways, it feels absolutely isolated. We enjoyed cup after cup of steaming hot coffee, along with our latest breakfast fare, sourdough baguette sandwiches. Yum.
Of course, any meal is more delicious when eaten in a beautiful setting. Tel Kisalon was that perfect place. We could have ended the morning right after breakfast.
Flower Finding
But we were on a mission that day: to hike a new trail and discover fall flowers! So after sitting around on our picnic blanket for way too long, we packed up our bag and climbed back down Tel Kisalon so we could complete a full circle of hiking.
The first flowers we saw were right there in the picnic area. There were reams of pink autumn crocus flowers, otherwise known as Naked Ladies, blooming in abundance under a pine forest. I snapped some photos, and we set out on the trail.
As we hiked along the newly grass lined path, we noticed more and more autumn crocuses lining the trails. They bloomed in sheets of delicate pink, shining in the early morning sunlight.
Into the Wilderness
We continued along the dirt path towards a wilder part of the trail, overlooking Kisalon Stream. Along the way, we passed a spring or two, carved into the rock. Neither one looked particularly appealing, but our border collie sure enjoyed taking a dip.
Our plan was to hike out to Ein Kisla, then loop back over the top of the mountain. But the path was so gorgeous that we forgot all about Ein Kisla. There were so many flowers, so many new asparagus bushes, so much beauty to take in all at once.
Soon, we reached a picture-perfect spot complete with gnarly old olive trees and a bonfire pit. I couldn’t help thinking that we had to come back there another day for a repeat picnic. Tucked away behind the trees were the first narcissus flowers of the season, standing tall and fragrant in the shadows.
Ein Kisla and Back
Soon, we reached Ein Kisla, a spring pool made out of carved stone. In late December, the pool was completely dry, so instead of sticking around we continued along the trail up the mountain, through a beautiful forest filled with wildflowers.
Then we retraced our footsteps over the mountaintop, taking in the views over Kisalon Valley as we wandered over the hilltop.
A short while later, we were circling around the other side of Tel Kisalon, on our way back to our parking spot under the trees.
Our journey that day had been full of beautiful seasonal discoveries. There were fabulous views, a welcoming forest, and so many unexpected wildflowers. We had hiked many pathways, none of them marked with trail markers. But sometimes, it’s nice to walk on the wild side.
This pretty trail through a less traveled area of the Jerusalem Mountains is perfect for a morning of exploration on a cool winter day.
Hikers’ Notes:
Here’s what you need to hike this trail at Tel Kisalon:
- This is an unmarked trail.
- This trail can be hiked at all seasons, but it is nicest during cooler days in the fall, winter, and spring.
- If you'd rather just visit Tel Kisalon without going on a hike, you can do that to. Just climb up from the parking lot to the top of the hill and climb back down when you are done.
- Good for kids, since it's short and there's a lot going on.
- Suitable for dogs.
- There are no facilities or water points at this trail.
- Makes sure to wear suitable hiking shoes and sun protection to hike this trail.
