River Alexander is one of the biggest and most beautiful rivers in the Sharon Region. It flows for 32 km/8 miles, through most of the region, from the Samaria Mountains to the Mediterranean coast, just south of Netanya. We have summed up all the important details for your visit to River Alexander and it’s surroundings!
A perfect day at River Alexander
Today, we went with our little kids (5-year-old and a 1-year-old) to relatively short, paved route in River Alexander National Park. It is perfect for families and accessible for strollers. The initial section is through a partially shaded area, sprinkled with picnic spots, all neat and clean and close to the stream where you can see both small and large soft-shelled turtles —fun part for the children!
On our Saturday visit, we ran into an ‘ice cream truck’ nearby for those craving a sweet treat. Our journey continued over a small bridge, where we veered right on the path. There’s also a left turn towards the beach along an unconstructed, longer route we didn’t explore.
The trek became quite challenging due to the heat and managing small children. However, if you start to walk earlier in the day, it could make the journey more enjoyable. Roughly 500-600 meters in, you’re rewarded with small playgrounds, and about a kilometer and a half further, a nice coffee cart – “Achu-caffe” is waiting for you! They offer natural cold juices, ice coffee—perfect for midday heat—along with sandwiches, salads, and pastries. It’s definitely worth a stop. This spot is also accessible by car if you don’t want to walk.
In River Alexander, you’ll discover a charming area adorned with shady nooks, grass, picnic areas, play facilities for children, a beautiful observation tower, and an easy, pleasant walking trail. Additionally, the Turtle Bridge is a for observing the soft-shelled turtles. These unique creatures are currently under conservation efforts to preserve their population. It’s crucial not to feed the turtles.
Key Highlights:
- Free entry
- The site is wheelchair accessible, except for the observation tower.
- Dogs are welcome but must be kept on a leash.
Walking trails
River Alexander is a green stream that flows from east to west, emptying into the Mediterranean Sea.
Historically, people often swam in the stream, but today, ongoing pollution, despite cleanup efforts, has led to a ban on entering the water. We started our walk on the Turtle Bridge and concludes at the Samara Ruins, a shaded and cozy picnic area, where you can relax with the kids.
Route Overview:
- Starting Point: Turtle Bridge near Kfar Vitkin
- End Point: Horvat Samara parking lot
- Route Description: This linear path kicks off at the river park near the bridge over the stream. Turning west, we follow the Israel Trail markers to our destination, the Samara Ruins, with an option to return via the same route.
The route is adorned with vegetation such as raspberry and common reed. Early on, you’ll pass hatchery farms for the soft-shelled turtles on the stream’s southern bank, designed for breeding and monitoring purposes. The path continues under a railway bridge, veering north, and in winter, a field of daffodils—a rare remnant in Sharon—blooms north of the path.
As we proceed, the landscape shifts from eucalyptus groves to local flora, including carobs and other native trees, as part of the park’s restoration efforts. This transition reflects the aim to replace foreign eucalyptus with indigenous species along the stream.
The journey culminates at the ruin of Samara, perched on a low hill and built from kurkar stones—a testimony to the area’s historical significance, possibly as an Ottoman customs station for the watermelon trade. The southern hillside features two caves, remnants of ancient kurkar mining, enhancing the site’s historical allure.
A designated picnic area under the eucalyptus trees provides tables, water taps, and informative signs, inviting visitors to immerse themselves in the stream’s rich natural and cultural heritage.
The story of River Alexander
River Alexander’s name origin
To this day, the origin of River Alexander’s name is unclear. Most people associate it with The name of King Alexander Yanai who was a Hasmonean king and occupied the river area in the 1st century BC. However, some claim that Before the establishment of the State of Israel, the Arabs of the country called the stream “Wadi Iskandir”, after Iskandar Abu Zabora, a wealthy landowner and successful watermelon merchant who lived here in the 19th century and exported watermelons from the Nablus region to Egypt, using River Alexander as his trading route.
The turtles of River Alexander
The largest population of the protected Softshell turtles in Israel has been preserved in River Alexander. Unlike the carapace of the land turtle, the carapace of this turtle species is flat and soft, hence its name.
The Softshell turtle’s body structure allows its trunk to stick out of the water, serving as a breathing tube, while the rest of its body remains submerged underwater. Its eyes, situated high on its head, enable it to observe the surroundings even when the rest of its body is submerged underwater..
Like all reptiles, the soft turtle is cold-blooded. In winter, when temperatures drop, these turtles become less active, making summer, especially from April to December, the recommended time for observation.
Best places to visit in River Alexander
Turtle bridge
A nice bridge that crosses the river, and is known to be the best place to watch the Softshell turtles in the river. Lately, the population of turtles has been on the rise, and the odds to see them here are quite high. Anyway, it is very important to protect the wild turtles and avoid feeding them.
Samara Ruins
Here, you can see the ruins of a 19th-century building that served as an Ottoman police and customs station. Watermelon merchants from all over the region would gather and load the watermelons that sailed down the stream onto sailing ships to Egypt and Lebanon. From the hill where the Samara ruins stand, you also get a great view westward towards the mouth of the River Alexander and the beach. Look out east, and you’ll see the area of origin of River Alexander – the Samaria mountains.
Beit Yanai Beach
One of the most popular beaches in Israel. Beit Yanai Beach is well-kept and has active lifeguard services during the summer season. Moreover, the beach area also offers shaded areas, toilets and showers, playgrounds for children, a kiosk, and more. Mitzpe Ha’apalah is a nice observation point on the southern side of Beit Yanai Beach. In the observatory, you will find a small and peaceful sitting area facing the spectacular open sea. Next to the sitting area, there is a plaque with the number of Velos, the first immigration ship that arrived on the shores of Israel. Velos arrived at this beach in July 1934, with 350 immigrants from Europe.
River Alexander Park Italy
Located at the eastern edge of River Alexander, Park Italy is a great spot. It is usually less crowded than the main areas of the western parts of River Alexander. There are plenty of shaded areas and picnic tables alongside the river, Park Italy is a nice place to relax in nature.
