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This trail covers 360 degrees of off-road cycling, past the most interesting sites and landscapes of Ramat Hanadiv, along a diverse and slightly challenging route. This circular trail is 7.5 km long, and there is also a shorter, 4.5-km trail. It’s suitable for adults, teenagers and older children with experience in off-road cycling.
Whether you have one and a half hours or a whole day, the fastest way to encircle Ramat Hanadiv is by the blue-marked cycle tail that crosses the park’s three walking trails. In this particularly enjoyable ride, which includes slightly steep descents, a flat section and slightly challenging ascents, we’ll pass by the vulture cage, Horvat Aqav and Beit Huri, indulge in the panoramic view of Mt. Carmel, the sea and Hanadiv Valley, and relish the tranquillity and the green surroundings.
Where is the first marking?
The trail begins at the picnic area. We’ll pass the main entrance gate to Ramat Hanadiv and turn right at the security guard’s booth. The picnic area is to our right and to our left is the second entrance gate to the Memorial Gardens. After parking we’ll hop on our bikes and search for a white barrier gate with a picture of a badger, near the entrance gate. We’ll pass the barrier and see the blue marking of the cycle path. From here we’ll ride along the route following the markings.
To the vulture cage
The trail descends northwards, opposite the houses of the picturesque town of Zichron Ya’akov, immersed in the Mt. Carmel woodland. We’ll reach a sharp left turn. Now we’re riding westwards, the town’s houses are to our right, and slowly, slowly, more and more pieces of blue sea are revealed. We’ll ride along a short rocky section followed by an ascent leading to a fork in the trail. The right section reaches the vulture cage that Ramat Hanadiv operates as part of the reintroduction of birds of prey to nature. To become more familiar with the vultures, we’ll walk down the rocky steps on the right to the cage itself, where we’ll enjoy a wonderful lookout over Hanadiv River and the sea. So as not to disturb or scare the vultures, we’ll stay quiet and avoid interacting with them.
Horvat ‘Aqav is calling us
We’ll return to the trail and our bikes and continue up the ascent, which ends at another fork in the trail. On the right waits a bench under a pergola, a rest-stop for those who had trouble riding up the ascent, which ends here, for the moment…
If this is your first time here – you must stop to visit the manor and enjoy the breath-taking view of the coastal plain and the sea
The cycle trail continues gently along a pleasant level section abundant with flowers and vegetation on both sides, until we notice the park’s playground at an angle to our left, and to our right – a cattle crossing. From here there are two options: if we keep to the blue marking and cross the cattle crossing, we’ll be on our way to Mantzur al-‘Aqav (Horvat Aqav in Hebrew) – an impressive Byzant manor with an incredible view of the sea, which you can read more about here. If we prefer to enjoy this experience another time, we can shorten the ride and turn left to continue along the trail, in the direction of Beit Huri, which we’ll reach anyway. You can read more about Beit Huri here.
We continue to Mantzur al-‘Aqav. Before us is a descent that turns into a level meadow. The trail turns right and continues right up to the manor. If this is your first time here – you must stop to visit the manor and enjoy the breath-taking view of the coastal plain and the sea. From here the trail continues, turning around at a nice little bend and connecting back to the trail we just descended, up to the cattle crossing.
Beit Huri – this is where it all began
Now we’ll turn right in the direction of Beit Huri, along another descent facing the landscape of Hanadiv Valley. Beit Huri is a farm house that was established during the Ottoman Period, in 1880, by the Christian Al-Huri family. Baron Rothschild purchased the farm and the surrounding land, which became Ramat Hanadiv. The most impressive remains on these lands are an arched building that was one of the rooms, next to which are some further remains. It’s a good idea to stop here for a final break and lookout over Hanadiv Valley.
From here there is an ascent including a short rocky section. If you’re not experienced in rocky ascents, you should get off your bike here and walk up on foot. It’s not so bad. The trail continues with one last good ascent, and then here we are at the finish line! In front of us is the internal road of Ramat Hanadiv, and on the other side is the picnic area where we started.
Any question? We will be glad to help
The Fragrance Garden, established in 1985, is the youngest of the Memorial Gardens. Seeking a way to enable people with limited or no eyesight to enjoy the flowers, Mme. Dorothy de Rothschild initiated the Fragrance Garden
In 2015, Ramat Hanadiv established the Partnership for Regional Sustainability, aiming to combine forces for the quality of life in the region.
The picnic area is located near the secondary parking lot. You are welcome to spend time there before or after your tour of the Gardens.
