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Spring time in Israel is magical. The summers here are long, dry and hot. Autumn is very short, sometimes we don’t even notice it’s here and suddenly it’s just winter. It rains in Israel the same amount as in many cities in Europe, except that all the rainfall here is during the winter, all at once with huge rainstorms. And then springtime. Wild flowers everywhere, all different colours, green rolling hills and flowing rivers, that are usually dry the rest of the year. It is the perfect season for hiking and trekking in Israel, and all Israelis know it. So, for this spring season, I decided to trek in an area that just stands out in the spring – The Judean lowlands. The area is usually very hot and very dry, most of the year it’s nice but during springtime the hills just come to life and it’s absolutely an incredible sight. The area is full of archaeological finds – water cisterns, ruined cities and the cherry on the top are the man made carved caves that were used during the Jewish Bar Kochva revolt against the Romans in 136 A.C.
The trek begins at Beit Guvrin- a national park with amazing Roman ruins. From the national park the trek will lead us on the Israel National Trail to Tel Goded and Mitspe Mesua to enjoy some incredible views of the area. We'll spend the night at an unofficial campsite between hidden terraces of olive trees. The next day will lead us to Tel Soho, covered with lupins, a purple wildflower. From there, we’ll pass through an incredible water cistern to Hurvat Itri, an ancient city littered with falling walls. The trails will take us to the Burajin ruins where we’ll crawl in some short caves from the Bar Kochva revolt we’ll find some incredible mosaics.
Trek Summary
Days: 2
Kilometres: 45
Best Season: Autumn to Spring
Difficulty Level: Difficult
Geographical Area in Israel: The lowlands of the Judean Mountains (Shfela)
So, let’s dive in with the important logistics that you need to know in order to hike this trek.
Trail description: day 1
Detailed map link
Seasons for Trekking
The perfect time to hike this trek is during February-March, then the whole area is in full bloom and the hills are covered in green fields. If these months aren’t an option, the trek is suitable weather wise from October to May. For more on seasons in Israel here.
Transportation
This trek is completely public transportation friendly. You’ll need to get to and from Kiryat Gat (the central bus station), you can get there from Tel Aviv, Jerusalem or any of the large cities. For the bus schedule here.
For the starting point of the trek type in Kiryat Gat, central bus station. For the destination, write Beit Guvrin, Beit Guvrin Police. For the way back, type in Kfar Zoharim for the starting point and Kiryat Gat, central bus station for the destination.
If you’re coming by car, you can leave the car at the entrance to Beit Guvrin. When you finish your trek, you can easily take a bus from Kfar Zoharim to Beit Guvrin.
Keep in mind that public transportation in Israel stops working during Shabbat- From Friday evening to Saturday evening.
Make sure to check out how to trek using public transportation in Israel!
Water Supply
You may find some pools along the trek in different river beds, but It is not advisable in Israel to drink from springs and pools due to the fact that people swim in them, they may be contaminated by different animals and sometimes by factories that are far from the eye but can contaminate the springs and pools. When you trek in the heat of Israel, use your water wisely. You should be carrying at least 4.5 litres per person per full day of trekking (6 if the weather is hot).
Towards the end of the first day, you’ll come by a water faucet that is safe to drink from. You can fill up your water bottles there and carry them for the campsite (that does not have running water) and the following day.
Food
You’ll have to carry your food with you for the two days. You can buy everything you need in Kiryat Gat before you set off for the trek or at any other city you’re coming from.
Precautions and Dangers
1. Heat stroke- It can get hot during the days in Israel, even during wintertime. The days can get hot and the nights are cold. Make sure to always wear a sun hat, take long breaks in the shade and refreshen yourself in pools and springs along the way.
2. Dehydration- Even during the winter and springtime the days can get pretty hot. Remember to drink a lot, do not take less than 4.5 litres of water with you per day per person. You should wear sunglasses, a hat and a long-sleeved shirt. If you’re feeling dizzy, nauseous and/or have a headache, you’re probably dehydrated. Find a shade to rest and drink your water slowly and gradually.
3. Animals- There aren’t many big dangerous animals in Israel. Beware of snakes and scorpions, especially during the spring time and around your campsite. In the morning shake your boots before you put them on and beware when you pick up rocks.
4. Nature reserves- some parts of the trek pass through some amazing nature reserves. Make sure you know the basic guidelines to hiking in nature reserves in Israel. For more on nature reserves here.
5. Pits- The Judean lowlands are absolutely filled with archeology finds, which is the main attraction of the area. Keep in mind when you’re walking outside of any marked trails that you may encounter open pits that can be very dangerous to fall into. Watch where you step and try to stay on marked trails.
If you find yourself in an emergency situation, you can call for help. Call 100 for the police and they can connect you with the regional extraction unit. You can also call 101 for medical assistance.
Trail Description
Day 1 (17.5 kilometres)
Once you get off the bus, look for a dirt track heading east towards Beit Guvrin. The dirt track is not marked by signs, but it’s pretty clear and should be right in front of the bus stop behind the trees. Follow the dirt track for less than a kilometre, until you meet a big parking lot and after that a gas station.
If you’d like to visit the Beit Guvrin Roman ruins (I highly recommend it!), you’ll have to buy tickets at the entrance, which is a bit of a detour. From the gas station, cross route 35 (you’ve been walking parallel to this route for the last kilometre) and follow the signs to the entrance to Beit Guvrin and Marasha. After about 500 metres, you’ll meet a small booth where you can buy entrance tickets. From here you can head south and visit Marasha (some amazing caves from the helenistic period mostly) or head back to the gas station for the Roman Beit Guvrin site. (For entrance fees, hours and more on Beit Guvrin here).
From the gas station look for the entrance to Beit Guvrin just beyond the station (north). Make sure to look for the huge amphitheatre, the crusaders’ church and mosque and the beautiful view from the tower.
After you’ve toured Beit Guvrin, head back to the gas station and look for the Israel National Trail (INT). For more on trail marks in Israel here. The INT orbits the big parking lot and heads north, it isn’t marked very well here. Take a right at your first fork and then right again at a T junction. You may meet some Bedouins living in the area along the way.
After two kilometres the trail takes a large turn right and heads east (the turn is right after a few cypress trees). Here the trail becomes a bit clearer, after 500 metres you’ll cross a small road and head up on the rolling hills east. After another 500 metres the trail heads north for almost a kilometre and then east again at an ascent up a river bed all the way to Tel Goded (Goded Mound).
From Tel Goded you’ll enjoy an incredible 360-degree view. The most impressive will be the view to the east, the whole of the Judean lowlands and Judean mountains will spread below and above you. From Tel Goded keep following the INT which will lead you along a mountain ridge with spectacular views for the next 5 kilometres until you reach Mitspe Mesua.
At Mitspe Mesua you’ll find a very tall lookout tower, restrooms (that don’t always work) and most importantly- water faucets! You should fill up you water bottles here. You can camp the night here (it is an official campsite) or just fill up your water bottles (6 litres for the rest of today, the night and tomorrow) and head on to an unofficial campsite a few kilometres up ahead.
From Mitspe Mesua, keep following the INT. The trail will take you through a tall thin forest on dirt tracks and an asphalt road. The trail will take you down a riverbed and then upriver to the road leading to Li-On. After a kilometre you’ll cross the road (cross cautiously) and follow the INT that is also a dirt track that’s marked green. After 500 metres the INT will leave the dirt track and head up along a red marked trail to the Shiklon ruins. Here, you’ll find a huge oak tree and a lot of hidden, quiet terraces with olive trees and picnic tables. I recommend sleeping here. It is not an official campsite, but the terraces have great views, shade, picnic tables and it is allowed to camp the night here. There is no water faucet here, so if you decide to camp here, make sure to fill up water at Mitspe Mesua!
Day 2 (27.5 k”m)
This can be a long day, but there are a lot of shortcuts if you need them and the terrain is pretty easy (no long ascents or difficult descents). Follow the INT to the Shiklon ruins and from there start a small descent along the INT that will lead you to cross route 38 under a bridge (check out the cool graffiti!). From the crossing the trail will head up on a small ridge. You’ll hike along this ridge for about 2 kilometres and then the trail will descend and cross route 375 in a large water pipe under the road.
From the 375 crossing the INT will converge with a blue trail mark which takes you up to Tel Soco where, during springtime, you can enjoy the most spectacular spot for lupins blooming all around you.
After a kilometre you’ll reach a junction where the blue trail mark and the INT separate. Leave the INT behind you and follow the blue trail mark that heads south along the rolling hills surrounding you. After 1.5 kilometres you’ll meet a green marked trail, take a left towards the south along the green trail. The green trail will now zig zag along the hills. Keep hiking along the green trail. You'll meet a black trail, where you can add a small detour and walk for 500 metres along the black trail west (a right turn) and the trail will take you to an incredible hand carved cave, shaped like a bell. On the map it is called columbarium. The theory is that these bell-shaped caves (which are widespread in this area) were used for raising doves during the Hellenistic period.
After you enjoy the cave head back to the green trail and follow it to the south. After about 3 kilometres you’ll meet a blue marked dirt track heading south. Follow it, until you meet a green trail taking you east to Hurvat Itri, a beautiful ancient Jewish village from the Hellenistic and then Roman period. You’ll meet a beautiful view, stone walls and streets, an ancient wine press, a Mikveh (a Jewish ritual bath) and water cisterns.
From Hurvat Itri head south on the green trail and then the black trail heading to Hurvat Burajin. Another great ancient city with incredible ruins. Here you’ll find a carved cave from the Jewish Bar Kochva revolt, a great mosaic, a Byzantine church, a bell-shaped cave and much more. Roam around and enjoy!
From Hurvat Burajin follow the green trail that heads south. You’ll pass along some more ruins along the way but they are less memorable and noticeable than Burajin and Itri. The trail will zig zag around and along the hills through forests and fields.
After about 3 kilometres the green trail will head west, parallel to the route 35 but a bit more north to it. After another 3 kilometres, the green trail that you were hiking along will merge with a blue marked trail and with another dirt track that is not marked. Take the unmarked trail heading west between some vineyards, until you meet the asphalt road that leads to Kfar Zoharim (a village and treatment centre for drug addiction). Take a left at the paved road and head south along the road for 500 metres, until you reach the junction with route 35. You’ll meet a bus station, from which you can take a bus back to your car or to Kiryat Gat.
Hope you enjoyed the trek; I would love to hear what you thought about it! Contact me here. Or comment below.
*Disclaimer*
It is the responsibility of the users of this website to be prepared for all possible conditions while trekking in Israel. Beware that conditions of trails may change day to day and season to season. All users of this website and its information assume full responsibility for their actions and judgments while trekking. The owner and authors of this site disclaims all liability including that of accident, loss, injury, or any other damage that may be sustained by anyone using the information contained on this website.