.png)
Ein Kerem is a beautiful Jerusalem neighborhood in the margins of the city, adjacent to the Jerusalem Mountains and its lively forest. The incredible thing about the Jerusalem Mountains is that it holds its own beauty in each different season. In the summertime the mountains are filled with edible fruit trees (mulberry, figs, grapes, black raspberries), the nights are nice and cool and the hot days can be relieved in cold and refreshing springs along the trail. During the autumn, this area may be the only place in Israel to witness a beautiful fall (of autumn trees). All through the winter the mountains become cold, rainy and the forest comes to life and the views are breath taking. The beautiful spring season offers us amazing trails filled with wild flowers in every possible corner and crevice. A remarkable sight. This trek holds everything in it – Old stone terraces, great big trees, wildflowers, incredible views and an ancient village that bordered with Jerusalem until it become a thriving part of the fascinating city.
This trek begins at the outskirts of Beit Shemesh (a city that sits at the lowlands of the Judean Mountains). From there you’ll hike straight into an amazing river called the Ma’ara (=cave) river. The river will lead you into a beautiful Karst cave, where you will find bats during the season! The river will lead you to the great Beit Itab fortress and Hod spring. The next day leads you to the most amazing springs and stone terraces that the Jerusalem mountains have to offer. The trek leads you to Ein Kerem, maybe the most beautiful part of Jerusalem, and finishes at the very edge of the city in Mt. Herzel.
Trek Summary
Days: 2
Kilometres: 33
Best Season: Fit and beautiful through all the seasons. Spring may be the best season.
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Geographical Area in Israel: The Jerusalem Mountains
So, let’s dive in with the important logistics that you need to know in order to hike this trek.
Detailed map link
Seasons for Trekking
The trek is suitable weather wise almost throughout the whole year. During summer the days are long and can get hot, but there are a lot of springs along the way and the mornings and afternoons can be nice and cool. Autumn and spring are great for this trek. Winter can also be an amazing time to trek here, just check the weather beforehand for rain, if there is a real storm coming in, the rivers may be flowing and it may be difficult to trek during a storm. For more on seasons in Israel here.
Transportation
This trek is completely public transportation friendly. You can take a bus from Jerusalem or from Beit Shemesh to the starting point. The trek ends in Jerusalem, at Har Herzel and from there you can take the Jerusalem train to the centre of the city or to the Central Bus station (for more on the train in Jerusalem here).
For the beginning of the trek, write down Jerusalem central bus station for the origin station. For the destination fill in Makhseya Branching, Road 3855/Rabbi Yosef Caro. For the bus scheduhle here.
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’ll find water taps in a couple of places along the trek (for example the Sa’adim campsite, Ein Kerem). Most importantly, you’ll find water taps at your campsite (Bar Giora campsite).
Food
You can buy everything you need in Beit Shemesh or any other city you’re coming from. You can go into any of the small villages along the way to stock up on supplies if you need to, most of them have small local super markets (Nes Harim, Bar Giora). Also, in Ein Kerem (towards the end of the trek) you can find a handful of great restaurants if you want to finish the trek with a great meal.
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 Mountains are filled with archeology finds, which is one of the many reasons we want to trek around 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.
6. Summer and Autumn Forest Fires- During the summer and autumn seasons the Mountain Vegetation is completely dry (with now rainfall for at least 4-6 months) and there have been a lot of forest fires in the area during these seasons. In 2021 there was an enormous wildflire that in these very mountains that consumed 6,200 acres of forest (that Hadassah Hospital in Ein Kerem was almost evacuated!). So, when you trek and hike through the Jerusalem Mountains you want to really be aware of the weather, even checking with the police (call 100) before you head out. Sometimes there will even be a ban from lighting fires of any kind in order to prevent any accidents.
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 (14 km)
Once you’re off the bus, cross route 3855 and walk along a dirt track that runs south and parallel to the route (to the east of the route). You’ll walk past a green marked trail that leads east, keep following the unmarked dirt track heading south, for about 500 metres, until you meet a red marked trail heading east. Follow the red marked trail (for more about how to use trail marks in Israel) for about 600 metres until you reach the end of the dirt track and the beginning of the hiking trail.
The red marked hiking trail will lead you up along a (usually) dry river bed, called the Ma’ara River (meaning cave). The name reveals that there is in fact a cave inside the river, you’ll meet it after about a kilometre. The cave is a house to different kinds of bats and even some archeological artifacts dating back to the Bar Kochva Revolt! Keep in mind that the cave is closed throughout the winter season (November to April) for the hibernation of the bats.
After the cave, keep following the red trail marks that take you up through a dense forest into the Jerusalem Mountains and after about 3 km you’ll reach the great Beit Itab fortress (dated back to the crusaders in the 12th century and then a Palestinian village).
From the fortress follow the blue trail heading east for 1 km, and than take the green trail heading west and south. Follow the green trail for 1 km, until you meet a red trail again that will lead you to a beautiful spring named Ein Uzan. From Ein Uzan, take the back marked trail and follow it for 2.5 km, until you meet an intersection with the Israel National Trail (INT). Take a left, east, and hike along the INT for 3 km until you meet route 386. Cross the road and, take a left, and head west along a black trail mark (parallel to the route) until you reach the Bar Giora Campsite. You’ll find here some picnic tables, great trees and water taps.
Day 2 (20 km)
Start the day by following your footsteps back along the black trail mark about 500 metres, then follow the black trail left (east). After 300 metres you’ll meet a junction with a blue trail mark, follow the blue trail that leads you through vineyards of grape vines, after 300 metres the blue trail will merge with the INT (Israel National Trail). Follow the blue trail for 1 km, then you’ll reach another junction with a black trail, take a right (east and south) and follow the black trail, parallel to the vineyards.
After about 3 km along the easy going black trail, you will arrive at Ein Kobi, a cool spring underground (a small stone building was built around the spring). You can take a refreshing dip in the water and enjoy the many fruit trees around the spring (during summer you can enjoy many fruits here like figs and mulberries).
From Ein Kobi follow the INT and red trail for about 1 km, the INT will lead you inside a beautiful lush forest along a dry stream, with stone steps and a small bridge.
At the end of the small stream, you will meet the train tracks leading to Jerusalem along the Refaim river bed. The INT and green trail will lead you to a crossing under the tracks. Follow the green trail and INT at a right after the crossing (east). Follow the green trail for 1.6 km. After 1.6 km look to your left (north) and find a small trail leading up the stone terraces, this used to be the INT and a marked trail, but the INT changed and now the trail itself exists but the markings are mostly erased. You should use a GPS here to make sure you’re on the right trail heading up and north.
After 200 metres and a 60 metre climb on the unmarked trail, you’ll meet a black trail, take a right on the black-marked trail (east). After 250 metres on the black trail, find the green trail heading north and ascending. Follow the green trail uphill, until you meet the Sa’adim campsite. You’ll see picnic tables, water taps, garbage cans and a big trail junction.
You should stay on the green trail, it will cross the junction and lead you north and then east. You could take a small detour (a couple of hundred metres) to Hirbat Sa’adim, here you’ll see some ruins of stone buildings and a great view to the north.
The green trail from the Sa’adim campsite is a beautiful trail between old stone terraces, great views to the north, and at least 3 great refreshing springs (Ein Uzi, Ein Tamar and Ein Sarig). The trail is an easy 2.5 km. From Ein Sarig follow the green trail downhill, you will cross route 3875 (cross carefully, this is not an easy crossing the cars on this route drive by really fast) and then keep following the green trail descending down along a dry stream.
After 1.5 along the dry stream on the green trail you will reach Ein Hindak, another very cool refreshing spring flowing out of a man-carved tunnel.
From Ein Hindak the green trail will lead you down a dry river bed with more stone steps and a very large stone wall (nicknamed the Small Kotel), dating back to Herod (Roman Empire).
The green trail will lead you down for about 1 km, until you reach the Sorek river and the INT. Take a right, east, and hike along the Sorek River for about 1.6 km. You’ll meet route 385, hike along the INT parallel to the road and at the roundabout cross the road, walk alongside the asphalt, following the INT trail markings. Here the trail isn’t very clear here, try to stay along the main trail, you’ll see some great ancient olive trees, after about 200 metres away from the road the trail marking become clear again. After 1.5 km from the road crossings, along the INT, you’ll meet Ein Kerem for the first time!
You can finish your trek in Ein Kerem, take a bus from here or stay here in one of the many hotels and enjoy the beautiful stone houses peeking from every stone terrace and behind the many trees. I recommend taking some time here, getting lost in the small alleyways and enjoying the ancient neighborhood. If you want to see some of Ein Kerem’s Christian spots, I recommend visiting the Church of Visitation (where Mary met Elizabeth, John the Baptists mother), a fascinating church with a great view! Also, the Convent of the Sisters of Sion is a beautiful location in Ein Kerem with an incredible garden and real serenity.
If you want to finish your trek in Jerusalem, you should follow the INT inside Ein Kerem until you meet the Jerusalem trail, marked blue. Because Ein Kerem is all small alleyways and hidden corners, the trail isn’t very clear at all. You want to find a road named Seter Hamadrega, walk along it (you’ll see a children’s playground to your right) until you find a sign for Ha-Tzukim Lane and a blue trail mark inside a tree trunk. Walk along the lane, until you meet a gate to your right with a black trail mark beside it. Take a right, cross the gate and follow the trail heading east. The trail will ascend along beautiful orchards for about 1.7 km and about a 170 metre ascent. At the end of the ascent you will find yourself suddenly inside the city, right at Mt. Herzel. You’ll see a big red monument and behind it the Jerusalem train tracks and a station. You can get on the trail at this station and it will lead you to the Jerusalem central bus station. If you’d like to get to the city centre just stay on the train after the central bus station, there are a few stops along the city centre.
You’ve reached the end of the trek in one of the most beautiful, famous, ancient and controversial cities in the world!! For me, it’s incredible to reach this city by foot through the nature surrounding its’ urban streets.
If you're looking for a great place to stay in Jerusalem before or after your trek, I really recommend Abraham Hostel. It's a young, fun, budget-friendly hostel and a great place to meet fellow hikers and travelers. They have the coolest rooftop in Jerusalem, a bar, an amazing breakfast, a kitchen for your own use, and most importantly - the best location in the city (3 minutes walk from the Shuk, 15 minutes from the old city, 1 minute from the tram). They also have great activities like Jazz concerts, Yoga, art exhibitions, their own affordable tours to Petra, dead sea, Masada and so much more.
Check out all the details and reserve a room here.
One of the amazing things about Jerusalem is that west of the city you’ll find lush green forests and rivers. East of the city you’ll explore a real desert, named the Judean desert. The city itself sits right on the border between forest and desert. For a great trek through the Judean desert check out Ein Gedi to Masada Trek.
Hope you enjoyed the trek, I would love to hear your thoughts 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.