Shakdia, Ein Kerem National Park, 11.1.23/Photo: Walla!
The almond symbolizes Tu in the tribe due to being the first to bloom among the other fruit trees, and from this the word Shakdan is also derived - to describe a diligent and agile person. Shaked is both the name of the fruit and the name of the tree, while an almond is an orchard of almond trees, but in the spoken language any almond tree Bod is also called an almond tree, and the responsibility for this is probably due to the song "The almond blossoms" (which is humming in your head right now, whether you like it or not)
. ", explains Yael Zilberstein-Barzida, director of the Urban Nature Unit at the Society for the Protection of Nature. According to her, watching almond blossoms in nature uplifts the soul and encourages the heart, especially in the current difficult period. Cold winters, and sunny and warm days.
The warm temperatures trigger the mechanisms of the fragrant and colorful flowering, which is designed to attract pollinators who are active during the winter - mainly wild bees whose value and importance to nature and agriculture are very high.
They use nectar and pollen to raise a new generation," she says.
About a month ago, almond blossoms began blooming in various places in Israel, including Modi'in, the Carmel Ridge, and the Jerusalem Mountains. Omer Shapira, the content coordinator at the Tourism Department of the Society for the Protection of Nature, compiled for us some sites where we can enjoy Almond blossoms.
Almond blossoms on the slopes of the Gilboa/The Society for the Protection of Nature, Avner Rinot
Shakdia in Nahal Kus in the Jerusalem Mountains/The Society for the Protection of Nature, Avner Rinot
Yehuda Plains
In Britannia Park, between Moshav Shreig and Moshav Agor in the lowlands, dozens of almond trees that were planted among the remains of the orchards of the Arab village of Ajur are blooming this season.
A scenic road through which the Israel Trail also passes departs 1 km northeast of the entrance to Shregim, and continues to the northern Britannia Park. After about 400 meters, park near a small parking lot with a trail, marked as the Israel Trail, that goes up to the right to the Shiklon ruins.
To reach the flower , walk in the opposite direction to the Israel Trail, and proceed westward on the red-marked trail, known as the "Wells Trail" and passing through dozens of almond trees and thousands of flowers. The trail makes a turn and returns to the landscape road, where you have to go back south about 1 km to the parking lot.
You can also type in Wise "the pentagonal junction Park Britannia", and from there drive south on the scenic road until you meet the red marker.
If you are traveling on Saturday, try to arrive early, because from late morning the area is busy in this season.
For more information about the area: the Israel Trail guide between Hala Junction and Beit Govrin.
Almond blossoms An almond blossoms along the pits and wells in the lowlands/Society for the Protection of Nature, Barak Bichler
Almond blossom in the Jerusalem mountains, December 2023/The Society for the Protection of Nature, Avner Rinot
Jerusalem mountains
From Tel Tsova to Steph Alion parking lot - here there are several options.
You can go to the Upper Step parking lot and watch the hundreds of blooming trees around it.
Another option is to walk in a circular route of about three hours, on the "Baal Trail" which is marked by signs.
The trail reaches the Steph springs, and from there it returns together with the Israel Trail to the parking lot.
A third option is to travel in the Tsova area in a circular route: park the car at the eastern end of the kibbutz near the "Oran" factory, and take the Israel Trail on an old road east to Mount Tsova.
It is recommended to take a few minutes to look out over the path, then continue east until the Israel Path descends from the old road to the right and descends to Ein Tsova (the spring is about 100 meters west of the path and there is a signpost for it).
From the spring it is possible to return to the kibbutz by way of the plantations.
If you can jump a car, you should park one car on the east side of Kibbutz Tzova and the other car in the upper Steph parking lot.
The Israel Trail passes between the two points, and the walk without stops is about an hour.
For more information about the area: Israel Trail Guide between Tzuba and Zur Hadassah.
Shakdiot near Kfar Tabor/photos from surfers, the Lower Galilee Barracks
Additional recommendations in the center of the country
The village of Lipta near the main entrance to Jerusalem
- in Wise: Lipta.
On weekends, it is recommended to arrive early, because the parking lot may be full late in the morning.
Walking back and forth to the spring between the houses of the abandoned village.
The Forest of the Angels to the east of the Kiryat Gat interchange -
before entering the forest there is a large and fenced almond orchard, do not enter the orchard but you can enjoy the view of the blossoms during February.
Ein Kerem circular path -
for hiking enthusiasts, a varied route of about 8 km. Also in the Ein Kerem neighborhood, near the spring, there are beautiful flowers.
Canada Park -
on the spring valley path and in other places in the park. There is a KKL-Junk sign.
Givat Napoleon -
between Tel Aviv and Ramat Gan near Yarkon.
Almond blossoms in Ein Kerem, December 2023/The Society for the Protection of Nature, Elimor Fried
Recommendations in the north of the country (subject to security constraints)
Beit Keshet Forest -
the forest is crossed by a scenic road good for any vehicle.
In the Beit Hieran area and in other places along it there is a beautiful bloom.
Also in the lower Galilee -
plantations in the areas of the Moshavim Sharona and Ramat Sirin.
Nahal Rosh Pina -
appears under this name in Wise.
A short route of about 700 meters in each direction leads west from the cemetery parking lot to the second spring, with green slopes studded with white almond trees.
For a slightly longer route: go up about half a kilometer from the parking lot and go out to the right onto the jeep road above the Rosh Pina settlement. At the point where the jeep road turns left, leave it and go down a short and slightly steep path to the houses of the settlement. On the south side of the reconstruction area of the settlement Stairs go down to the cemetery parking lot.
Above Nahal Moushara in Safed -
a path marked in blue starts near the soccer field on the eastern side of Safed.
Almond blossoms in Nahal Rosh Pina/The Society for the Protection of Nature, Manny Tzuberi
More on the same topic:
Shakdia
Tu Bishvat
Flowering
Tracks
Trips in the country