Although the Jerusalem mountains are not as popular as other great natural sites in Israel, they are certainly a terrific region to explore. With beautiful views and several great hikes, this is one of the most underrated regions of the entire country. Among the numerous great things to do here, is the Jerusalem Springs Trail, which offers an ideal hike for those who want to combine mountain views with bathing in some of the best springs of Israel.
Get to know the Jerusalem Springs Trail
The Jerusalem Springs Trail is one of the favorite trails in the Jerusalem mountains, and rightfully so. It combines all of the great qualities of a hike, with a gentle and pleasant descent in a shady pine forest, and no less than six small springs and wading pools along it. In addition, you can walk it all year round, and it is possible to do it circularly, or in an out-and-back form.
The path marked with green trail markings starts at the parking lot of Khurvat Se’adim and leads us along the way, passing through a wooded area of a Mediterranean grove, which includes trees like common oak, common carob trees, and olive trees, and of course – the Jerusalem pine, also known as Aleppo pine.
The main springs of Jerusalem Springs Trail
Ein Lavan Spring in the Nahal Refaim National Park in Jerusalem is the result of spring water that drains from a short hole through a canal into a large and beautiful man-made pool, which is 4×8 meters/13×26 feet in size, and its water depth is about 1.5 meters/5 feet.
Ein Lavan has undergone many changes in recent years as part of a long restoration process. The place was declared a national park and since then terraces and steps have been restored here, trees and herbs have been planted, access roads have been arranged, the water pools and fountains used for irrigation have been restored, and in addition, another small pool for kids has been inaugurated.
Ein Uzi
Ein Uzi spring flows into 2 great pools around which beautiful vegetation has naturally grown over the years. The first pool was about 4×4 m/13×13 feet in size and about 1 m/3 feet deep. The water is pleasant and cool, at a perfect temperature for hot days. The second pool is smaller and is right on the slope, about 50 m/164 feet down the trail.
Ein Tamar
A nice little spring dedicated to the memory of Tamar Natan, who died on a trip to Bolivia at the age of 21 years old. Tamar spring is smaller than Ein Uzi and shallower (about 0,5 meters/1.5 feet deep) so it is also suitable for small children. Around the spring are large oak trees that you can sit under.
Ein Sarig
A nice spring that is not far from the road leading to the town of Ibn Sapir. Ein Sarig is one of the most well-known springs in the Jerusalem mountains, and it is usually crowded with tourists, as the combination of the beautiful pool, hidden at the foot of the rock, and the wide seating area on the terraces above makes it a great place to rest and cool down. The size of the pool to which it flows is about 2×4 meters/6.5×13 feet, and its depth is about 0.7 meters/2.3 feet.
Hiking the full Jerusalem Springs Trail
Route length: 6.5 km/4 miles.
Route duration: 3-5 hours.
Cumulative climbing: 50 m/164 feet cumulative ascents, 50 m/164 feet cumulative descents.
From the Ein Sarig parking lot, turn right and go up the red-marked trail. In this way, we will ascend moderately between the trees of the forest, a distance of about 2.7 km/1.6 miles to the back of Sorek Ridge west of Horvat Se’adim Reserve. On our way, we will pass a small viewpoint.
The road climbs in several twists and turns, providing many glimpses of the great beautiful region between the forest trees.
Soon we will reach the intersection of red and black trails, at the border of a wooded area on Mount Shalmon.
From this point, we will turn east to Khurvat Se’adim Reserve, but first, it is worth adding a turn of about 0.5 kilometers/0.3 miles toward Ein Se’adim.
For this purpose, at the intersection of the paths, we will turn right with the black-marked trail, and we will walk about 300 m/1,000 feet until we notice the sign for the Ein Se’adim Reserve. From here we will go down to the north on an unmarked but clear path in the area, and we will reach the spring complex.
The spring has been dry in recent years, but the pools and the springing cave indicate that it was once one of the most abundant springs in the area. We would highly recommend you go through the constructed tunnel and return the same way.
We will go back the same way to the intersection of the paths, and next to another sign, we will enter the Khurvat Se’adim Reserve, where there is a wonderful flowering of cyclamen in February-March.
The path goes east and reaches a paved road junction at the border of the reserve. Here we will meet a green-marked trail, and with it, we will turn left (north) to the beginning of the”classic” Jerusalem Springs Trail.
First, we will walk a little on a dirt road, then we will switch to a narrow footpath that passes over a cliff at the beginning (which we saw on the way up on the red road), and we will enter back into the pine forest. Soon we will reach the first cluster of springs – Aminadav Springs.
Four different springs spring up in this area, the waters of which are fed into pooling ponds at the foot of the walking path. The first pool is a few meters below the path, while the second pool is closer to the level of the path, and you can experience it by walking through the cave in which it flows (in winter the water is extremely cold).
From Aminadav Springs we will walk through the forest, and on our way, we will pass a small cave with two openings. Later we will reach Ein Uzi. From here, the path leaves the pine forest and passes by beautiful terraces, on the way to crossing an impressive gorge.
When crossing the gorge, a short turn to the right will lead us to the Ein Tamar complex. After resting here, we will return to the marked path, and enter the forest again. Soon, we will pass by another small hole of a dry spring. The path gets wider and wider and finally exits to a ravine north of Moshav Ora.
At the intersection of green-black paths, we will reach Ein Sarig. This spring is at the beginning of the black path, on the east bank of the channel. After visiting Ein Sarig, we will go down the road marked green back towards the parking lot and the vehicle.
