If there’s anything that draws crowds outdoors in summertime, it’s water hikes. In Israel, there’s nothing quite like plunging into a cold pool of clear spring water on a hot day. Bonus points for a waterfall. Even more bonus points if the whole thing is surrounded by exotic and beautiful scenery.

That’s why this week’s trip to Einot Petzael was such an incredible discovery.

Einot Petzael are cool spring pools that are part of the Nahal Petzael Nature Reserve, run by the Parks Authority. This incredible oasis is not only blissfully refreshing — it sits in the middle of a gorgeous reserve filled with birds, gazelle, frogs, rock hyrax, butterflies, dragonflies, and even cute little crabs.

In winter and spring, the area is known for its wildflowers. A trip to the reserve at that time of year should definitely include a long hike through the streambed, where greenery and flowers blossom in abundance.

But in summertime, the most fabulous thing about these pools is that you can drive right up to them.

There are deep pools, wading pools, waterfalls, hidden pools, and more.

Here’s how we journeyed through the Nahal Petzael Nature Reserve this week — and discovered a place we’ll definitely be returning to.

It’s a National Park

Over the past several years, the Parks Authority has been quietly making massive changes to natural spaces in Judea and Samaria. Many of these sites had long been neglected, often littered with trash and just generally not the most pleasant to visit.

That’s all started to change — and Einot Petzael is one example on the ground of what it looks like when nature is cared for.

We drove up to the site and went through a gate marked with a Parks Authority sign. As we drove through golden fields with a ridge of green snaking through, there were no chip bags, soda cans, or picnic leftovers in sight. Instead, we were greeted by galloping gazelle, completely comfortable running through the wild grain and up the hills.

There were packs of them, all happily sustaining themselves on the fresh water that runs through the reserve. Watching them out the window, it felt like we were on some sort of safari.

Soon, we reached the main area of the pools, where organized garbage cans, fire pits, and picnic benches marked the fact that the Parks Authority had taken charge.

A Place with a Long History

The pools at Einot Petzael aren’t just a refreshing summer stop. They sit on top of layers of history that go back thousands of years.

Archaeological surveys have found settlements in this area dating back about 6,000 years. The lower part of the stream valley has been identified with biblical Ataroth, mentioned in the Book of Joshua as part of the inheritance of the tribe of Ephraim.

The most famous chapter is the Second Temple period. About 2,100 years ago, King Herod built a town here and named it after his older brother Phasael, who took his own life rather than be handed over to his enemies during the Parthian invasion of 40 BCE. The town was called Phasaelis, and that name has been preserved all the way to today — in the springs, the stream, and the modern Moshav Petzael nearby.

Herod built an aqueduct from these springs to carry water about six kilometers down to his town, and the remains of his huge storage reservoir can still be seen near the moshav. An old flour mill that operated on the aqueduct water is also still standing along the stream — a reminder that this water has been put to use by every group that has lived here.

To the Pools

We could hear water flowing as we stepped out of the car. It was a hot day, and we were eager to get down and see the pools we had heard so much about.

We walked down the rocky hillside into an incredible oasis.

One large pool was surrounded by fragrant wild mint, purple flowers, and flitting dragonflies. There was a shady spot in the distance, so we walked over to drop our bags. Then we jumped in.

The water was magnificently cold and refreshing. We made our way towards a waterfall at the edge of the pool and enjoyed the cool spray on our faces.

It wasn’t too deep — only about neck-high at the deepest point — perfect for swimming with kids.

Exploring

From the first pools, we decided to continue on to the edge of the reserve. We wanted to see for ourselves where the trail running through Nahal Petzael began. We followed the path, passing hidden pools and thick greenery. Eventually, we found ourselves at the source of the spring, where shallow wading pools sit under massive shade trees next to little picnic benches.

A few young families were enjoying these spots. One man sat playing guitar while his children splashed in the water.

From there, we continued past where the water ran (at least at this time of year) and towards the blue trail. We followed the well-marked path for a little while, until we hit the canyon.

Our plans for the day didn’t include a long hike through Nahal Petzael — we were saving that for wintertime, when the wildflowers and greenery would make the hike even more beautiful. So instead, we backtracked until we reached a small hidden pool.

Down we Go

We climbed down towards the pool, an enchanting oasis tucked away from everyone else by rocks and greenery.

It was simply incredible down there. A cool waterfall rushed in, drowning out everything around us. Dragonflies flitted from one branch of greenery to another, and birds chirped above. One small rock protruded from the middle of the pool — a perfect place to perch in the sun.

We spent the rest of our time at the reserve enjoying that hidden pool. And then we climbed back up and out towards the car.

Worth the Trip

As we drove back out through the reserve, past the gazelle in the wild grain and the golden hills falling away towards the Jordan Valley, I thought about how lucky we are to live in a country where you can stumble into a place like this on an ordinary summer afternoon.

If you’re looking for a real summertime adventure that doesn’t require a long hike, the Nahal Petzael Nature Reserve is one of the best places I’ve found all year. Pack your bathing suit, a picnic, and plenty of water. Get there early to beat the heat. And don’t be surprised if a few gazelle greet you on the way in.

We’ll definitely be back.

Hikers’ Notes:

Here’s what you need to know to visit Einot Petzael:

The gate to the park opens one hour after sunrise and closes one hour after sunset.
Einot Petzael is located in Judea and Samaria. Make sure to take precautions for your personal safety when visiting this area.
Stay tuned for a hike through Nahal Petzael to Einot Petzael!