The Spring Trail(Blue)

The route marked in blue is the Spring Trail, inviting hikers to a journey back in time: to a 2000-year-old agricultural settlement, a hidden spring, and a wishing well. The path passes Beit Houri, a farm dating from the Ottoman period. From there it continues to a Herodian palace, a remnant of the fortified farmhouse from the days of King Herod, and to Ein Zur, a spring and aqueduct used for ceremonial purposes during the Byzantine era.

Please note: due to massive construction near Kramim School, the entrance to Ein Zur spring has moved south (around the boat)

Points of interest: Ein Tzur, a spring that flows year round through a tunnel that was hewn in the rock; a shaded brook; observation points overlooking vistas of Hanadiv Valley and the hills of Samaria; prehistoric agricultural areas (reconstructed); an ancient bath house; a rich archaeological complex; and the remains of a farmhouse from the Ottoman period.
Level: Suitable for families
Colour of markers: Blue
Download the Spring trail map
Click here for the navigation app WishTrip
Length: Approximately 2.5 kilometers
Hiking time: Approximately 1.5 hours
Departure point: The trail is circular, starting at the trailhead
Recommended seasons: All year

Emergency telephone for on-duty supervisor (after closing time): 053-6452336

The Trail
From the trailhead, the trail marked in blue turns slightly left towards the southeast, crosses a dirt road, and enters a low scrubland The trail again crosses a dirt road, then proceeds eastward to higher shrubland composed primarily of native plants – phillyrea and mastic shrubs.Emerging from the thickets, the trail pauses at a stunning panorama of Hanadiv Valley and the Samarian hills (Station #1).

Download the Spring trail map

1. Observation Point
Spread out below is Hanadiv Valley, cultivated primarily with vineyards and orchards. Immediately south of it lies the moshava (village) of Binyamina. North of Samaria, on the horizon beyond the valley, one can see Mt. Amir, where the towns and villages Umm el-Fahem, Mei Ami, Katzir and Arara are located. To the north are the houses of Zikhron Ya’akov.
The trail continues to a stone step, where a large carob tree is growing
(Station #2).

2. Large Carob Tree
The stone step here indicates the existence of a geological rift line. Beneath the step the top layer of hard limestone has been worn away, exposing the volcanic stone beneath it. The leafy carob tree provides a welcome resting spot for hikers.The trail slopes off to the right, then immediately turns left into a grove of cypresses.

Beyond the fence to the left is a Moslem cemetery that belongs to the old village of Umm el-‘Aleq. The trail continues towards the left and crosses a dirt road. It passes a thorny hedge of ‘Sabra’ cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica) bordering the ‘Aleq ruins, and the remains of an oil press, located in the shade of the carob tree (to the left), before reaching a large Tabor oak
(Station #3).

3. Tabor Oak
The Tabor oak(Quercus ithaburensis) is a deciduous native tree that grows abundantly from the Sharon plain to Ramot Menashe, the Galilee and the Golan Heights. Its large acorns are an important source of food for Eurasian jays, rodents, and wild boars. The trail goes down past the area of the spring (to which we shall return), descends into a grove of willow trees, then continues towards the brook.
A wooden footbridge crosses the water, and the trail ‒ now a paved stone path ‒ goes down further to a little wetland
(Station #4).

4. Wetland

An experiment aimed at recreating a wetland is being conducted in the pond and its surroundings. Dense clumps of water parsley (Apium nodiflorum), a relative of cultivated celery, are growing here among the other aquatic plants.

In the past Israel had many wetlands, breeding grounds for amphibians such as

common tree frogs (Hyla savignyi), marsh frogs (Rana ridibunda), and green toads (Bufo viridis). With the draining of the swamps, exploitation of water sources, and consequent destruction of most of the seasonal ponds in the country, such habitats became rare. The pond here, created to facilitate and encourage the proliferation of plants and animals native to wetlands, also serves as an important on-site laboratory for Ramat Hanadiv’s Education Department.

From here, there are three options:

• A right turn brings walkers to the parking lot of the ORT School.

• A left turn leads hikers up to the trail marked in yellow, culminating at the historic Tel Tzur hill. (It takes about 10 minutes to get to either destination.)

• For those who want to continue walking: The Spring Trail continues straight on, passing an olive grove (on the right) and a Geiger tree notable for its wide leaves (on the left). At the beginning of the 20th century, tests were conducted to see whether this tree could be cultivated for use in the glue industry. Next to it is a hedge of sweet acacia trees which were studied too, for possible commercial use in perfume. The trail returns from here to the grove of willow trees and then ascends metal steps to the bath house (Station #5).

5. Bath House

In front of us is the bath house dating from the Roman period. Its water supply came from the adjacent Ein Tzur spring, enabling the residents of the Horvat ‘Aleq site to bathe in hot water. The structure is divided into four long, consecutive rooms. From the entrance, bathers walked down seven steps to the dressing room (apoditerium). After immersing themselves in cold water, they entered the warm room (tepiderium), then moved on to the hot bath or sauna (caldarium). Note the many short columns here: they raised the floor level so that the warm air generated by the heating installation next door could circulate into the space beneath the floor and heat the room.

The trail passes the bath house en route to the water system of Ein Tzur, which includes the spring, reservoir, tunnel, and a constructed pool (Station #6).

6. Ein Tzur and the Water System

In the Ein Tzur tunnel three shafts, 11 metres apart, were hewn out of the bedrock in order to illuminate and ventilate the dark tunnel and to facilitate maintenance of the water system. The tunnel takes a winding, 47-metre long route along a natural fissure in the bedrock, the source of the water. In the winter of 2001, a f

lood damaged the tunnel’s roof. A pillar was erected at the entrance to the tunnel in order to reinforce the roof; it was based on the example of an ancient pillar next to the first shaft.

During the Roman period water accumulated in the tunnel, possibly for use as aritual bath.

To raise the water level and create a pool within, the opening of the tunnel was blocked.Some 2,100 coins from the Byzantine period (324-638 CE) were discovered beneath this tunnel. A historic source from that period (the ‘Bordeaux Pilgrim’) attributes healing powers to a spring at Har Sinah, near Caesarea. It is likely that this was the pool that attracted pilgrims in those days: women apparently came to bathe here, hoping to enhance their fertility, and dropped the coins into it.

The large reservoir at the end of the aqueduct supplied water to the bath house and fields as well as serving as the bathing pool. When Beit Khouri was established above the archaeological site (approximately 1880), the Ein Tzur reservoir was moved to a new pool built of stone, west of the Roman pool, and its water was pumped up the hill to the farmhouse.

In 1939, a group of young Jews from the Betar youth movement founded a small ‘stockade and tower’ settlement on the hilltop east of the spring, which they named Tel Tzur Hahadasha (the New Tel Tzur). Near the Roman pool they built an additional one of concrete, which provided the settlement’s water needs. As mentioned above, one can visit the historic Tel Tzur site on the trail marked in yellow, which exits from the area of the brook.

From the aqueduct, the trail goes up the stairs beyond the dovecote (Station #7).

7. Columbarium (Dovecote)

Doves served a multitude of purposes in ancient times: their eggs and meat provided food; their excrement was a valuable fertilizer; and they performed ceremonial roles in both pagan and Jewish rituals. The columbarium here was built as a round tower that reached a height of 18 metres. Its name reveals its function: the Latin word columba means ‘dove’. As one can see from the reconstruction of the structure, the birds entered the tower through apertures in its upper section and nested in small cubbyholes built for them inside, within the walls of the tower and in two additional, interior walls placed side by side. The tower’s outer walls were covered by heavy layers of smooth white plaster. The columbarium workers entered the tower on a ladder via a raised opening at the side of the tower.

The plaster and the raised opening prevented reptiles and other animals of prey from scaling the walls and getting into the columbarium.

The trail turns left and continues west to a large archaeological complex (Station #8).

8. Horvat ‘Aleq Archaeological Complex

Archaeologists have discovered numerous treasures here. Strategically located next to a source of water in a fertile agricultural region, this multi-layered site was already populated by humans in the prehistoric period, more than 10,000 years ago. The settlement continued to be inhabited until the 2nd century CE, through the Iron Age and the Persian, Hellenistic and Roman periods. The site has been reconstructed as it was when it reached its acme in the early Hellenistic period. The remains of the original stockades and towers that surrounded it then are clearly evident in the area. Settlement was renewed towards the end of the Ottoman era with the establishment of the village of Umm el-‘Aleq. Archaeological findings bear witness to the extended, ongoing habitation of this place and to the residents’ long lives during the different periods of settlement.

The trail turns left and passes next to Beit Khouri (Station #9). A visit to the site is recommended.
In front of Beit Khouri, the trail turns left and enters a sparse pine grove (with an understory of mastic trees . It passes a Tabor oak , runs into a dirt road, and turns left onto it. After some 20 metres, the trail turns right up the slope and then traverses several ancient quarries (Station #10)

9. Beit Khouri
This structure is the remnant of a large farmhouse built by the El-Khouri family around 1880. It was constructed, room by room, around an internal courtyard. Most of the building stones were taken from the ancient farmhouse at Horvat ‘Aqav. Though the El-Khouris themselves were Christian, they built a mosque for their Moslem tenants, the large hall that stands out at the south side of the manor house.
In 1913, the Jewish Colonisation Association (ICA) purchased the El-Khouri farm on behalf of Baron Edmond de Rothschild. Today the farmhouse and lands surrounding it are part of the grounds of Ramat Hanadiv.
From 1919-23, three groups of Jewish pioneers settled here. Due to the difficult conditions, however, their settlement experiments did not succeed.

Remains found at the manor house document the lives of the pioneers: the floor (cast in 1920) of the mosque hall, which served them as a dining room, and the charred brick oven which can still be seen in the kitchen.

10. Ancient Quarries

Within Ramat Hanadiv’s perimeters are many limestone quarries; they supplied building stones for the ancient settlements here and perhaps those nearby. The limestone layer that yielded the construction stones was no more than six metres deep. When miners reached the soft bedrock beneath the limestone, they left their shallow quarries behind and went elsewhere to mine. Over time, most of the quarries were buried in soil and vegetation; others turned into seasonal pools in rainy winters and served as habitats for frogs, toads, and other aquatic creatures.

From here the trail returns to its starting point at the trailhead.

Enter the WishTrip app – WAZE for hikers – and use it to plan your visit. The app will also guide you through your visit, informing you about points of interest along the trail. You can get an impression of the place from the existing photos and videos, and/or upload some of your own.

Thank you for choosing to hike in the Nature Park at Ramat Hanadiv. We’ve put together a number of tips and guidelines for you so that your hiking experience will be safe and enjoyable: Hiking Correctly

Additional Links

Nature Park Map	The spring trail

Any question? We will be glad to help

Send e-mail

04-6298111

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Accessibility

An accessible trail through the Nature Park

In the Nature Park at Ramat Hanadiv there are a number of spectacular hiking routes.

For further information >>

נגישות בשטח

Visually Impaired

Many trails traverse the Memorial Gardens. We recommend this route, but you can choose to walk another route

For further information >>

Dining Here

Dining-The Picnic Site

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.

For further information >>

Visually Impaired

Many trails traverse the Memorial Gardens. We recommend this route, but you

can choose to walk another route. Braille Booklets may be borrowed from the InfoShop,

by prior arrangement.

At the Entrance
The tour begins at the entrance gate, above which is the Rothschild Family coat of arms, as it appears in the Braille Booklet.
Inside the gate, the paved entrance area is divided into five long sections, separated by strips of grass. Indian beech trees, which reach a height of twelve meters, have been planted in the entrance area. The trees rustle in the pleasant breeze that wafts through the Gardens.
Let’s turn to your right. The path leads to the fragrance garden. Along the way you may feel the deep shade cast by large Fig trees (Ficus oblique), the thick roots of serve as a walking path. These trees have additional roots that hang in the air. You may turn off the path and touch them.
Continue walking until the Fragrance Garden

Fragrance Garden
A change in the type of paving stones used indicates the entrance to this garden, which was designed especially for visually impaired visitors. It is intended to appeal to the senses of smell, touch, and sound, as well as of sight. At the entrance to the garden, is a specially designed relief map that offers an initial orientation. The garden contains raised beds of fragrant and sweet-smelling plants, flowers, and herbs. Start on the path to the right, holding on to the guide rail, which is studded with explanatory labels in Braille, in addition to signs in Latin, Hebrew, and Arabic. In the center of the garden is a round pool and a fountain, surrounded by a wooden pergola with benches, where you may sit in the shade and enjoy the sounds of the fountain. After a short break you are invited to go back to the entrance, turn to your left. Straight ahead on the path, you feel shaded overhead with palm branches. You are in the Palm Garden

Palm Garden
The Palm Garden contains a small sample of the more than 2,800 varieties of palms in the world. Among the types of palm cultivated here are those with tall, straight trunks and tousled boughs; round, crested sprouts that grow close to the ground; and fountain-like splayed foliage. Most familiar of these is the Washingtonia, long known as a trademark of the Baron’s settlements. The main path continues further along the path to the Rose Garden.

Rose Garden
The Rose Garden, is rich in colour and full of blossoms for most of the year. The roses are arranged according to colour: yellow, white, pink, and red, in a wide range of varieties and fragrances. The garden is designed in the French style, characterized by symmetry, fountains, roses paved paths, and even a sundial.

The motif of five is evident in the number of fountains, surmounted by a larger fountain, symbolizing the father of the family, Mayer Amschel Rothschild. Take the narrow path to the right and note the rough stone paving. At the far end of the garden is a semicircular stone pergola rising behind the sculpture of a crouched woman holding a sundial. The woman looks away from the dial, as if divorced from time, hinting that here time stands still. From the stone pergola, turn left back to the main path. At the junction, choose the left turn that will lead you to the Crypt. The other possibility will lead us directly to the Cascade Garden.

The Crypt
The Crypt itself is located, by design, in the centre of the Memorial Gardens. The motif of water, as the source of life, appears here as well. Around the courtyard runs a channel of water filled with lily pads and goldfish. A sculpted stone ‘cup of tears’ is on the wall to the right of the entrance to the Crypt;

the sound of water dripping may be heard at all hours of the day. A large cypress tree, in shape reminiscent of a flame, stands on the other side of the entrance. Five wide steps will take you down into the Crypt itself. The passageway down to the Crypt is relatively low, almost compelling the visitor to bow in respect. The burial tomb, in a niche pointing to Jerusalem, is made of black polished basalt in the form of a seven-sided polygon. It is here that the Baron and Baroness were reinterred twenty years after their deaths. Their names and dates of death are engraved in Hebrew on the tombstone. In front of the tomb is a basalt oil memorial lamp, symbolically held by a pair of hands.

Go out from the same way and turn to the right, towards the Cascade Garden, our last stop.

Cascade Garden

Please note: The Cascade Garden has seven flights of steps, four steps per flight, with a distance of two meters between each one.

This garden opens up to the Mediterranean Sea below. From here you can feel the cool breeze coming up from the sea high to the mountain and hear the sound of falling water. A stone relief map at the top of the steps indicates the location of forty-four settlements established or supported by the Baron.

Upon leaving the garden Cascade Garden you will walk along the path that will lead to the main entrance area, where your tour began.

Ramat Handiv gardens, Zichron Yaacov, Israel.

Additional Links

Rules of Behavior in the Memorial Gardens	A Virtual Tour of the Gardens

Any question? We will be glad to help

Send e-mail

04-6298111

Of further interest...

Timeline

Ramat Hanadiv Timeline

Who lived at this spot 70,000 years ago? What major event took place in the gardens in 1954? And what's been going on at Ramat Hanadiv ever since then?
We invite you to find out by getting into a virtual time

For further information >>

Sustainability

Sustainable Gardening

Sustainable gardening is defined as gardening that considers the needs of the current generation without harming the needs of future generations. It includes garden design that considers the existing elements on site – the landscape, soil, environment and vegetation suitable for the region

For further information >>

Dining Here

Dining-The Picnic Site

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.

For further information >>

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Mata'im Restaurant

Kiosk

The Picnic Site

“Green” Picnic Area

We offer you a shaded picnic area next to the secondary carpark of the gardens. You’re welcome to spend time there before or after your visit.

This area is located in a pine grove, giving you the opportunity to rest and have a picnic. For the convenience of visitors to the grove, there are picnic tables, water fountains, a dish-washing station and toilets.

We put a lot of effort into making your visit pleasant and ensuring you can have a quiet, relaxing time – without music, fire or smoke. Do not light bonfires or barbecues in this area.

You are welcome to bring a cool box with food, and enjoy the clean air and a pleasant, quiet stay in nature.

We ask you to eat your picnic using reusable utensils that are beneficial to humans and the environment.

Are you interested in a nice set of reusable utensils for the entire family? You’re welcome to buy one in our InfoShop in the Visitors Pavilion.

The area is accessible to people with disabilities:

An accessible carpark adjacent to the picnic area
A standard access path with a slope below 8% leads from the accessible carpark to the picnic area
Accessible tables in the shade are located on a paved surface and standard manoeuvring area

We maintain this area for your convenience and enjoyment!

Please be considerate of the other visitors and follow these rules:

The area is designed for visitors; do not hold functions, catered events or meetings
Please bring food that is ready to eat and do not light a barbecue or fire
This area is quiet and tranquil; do not play music or use megaphones, amplifiers etc.
The picnic area is part of the Nature Park, which is home to a diversity of plants and animals. Please look after the surrounding nature.

Thank you for your cooperation!

We wish you a safe, quiet, enjoyable stay.

Any question? We will be glad to help

Send e-mail

04-6298111

Of further interest...

Accessibility

Memorial Gardens Main Entrance

The main entrance to the Memorial Gardens – located next to the Visitors Pavilion. In the entrance plaza are temporary exhibitions on a range of subjects promoted by Ramat Hanadiv

For further information >>

Sustainability

Horticultural Therapy at Ramat Hanadiv

Many studies have demonstrated the link between a green environment, nature or flowering gardens and feelings of calmness and serenity, enjoyment and vitality

For further information >>

Dining Here

Dining-Kiosk

Refresh yourself at the Kiosk with a drink or snack. The kiosk is open daily.

For further information >>