Tourism
Excursions in the country
Excursions in the north
Nahal Zalmon: The stream with the water that is empty of hikers even on Fridays
We, too, were not prepared for this miracle: the picturesque pools of the Zalmon River in the Lower Galilee were empty of people on Friday afternoon - and we were given a completely private stream.
The flour mills are included in the package
Tags
Excursions in the country
Streams
Trips with children
Eyal Shapira
Sunday, 19 September 2021, 11:44 Updated: 12:49
Share on Facebook
Share on WhatsApp
Share on general
Share on general
Share on Twitter
Share on Email
0 comments
Upgraded Nahal Tzipori promenade
A wild hotel in the Golan
Brother Island in the Philippines
A flight attendant explains why it is important to switch phones to flight mode
A private Lilium plane that takes off vertically
Alligator eats skimmer
The Mitzpeh Makhtesh (small) night camp
Encounter with a shark in the depths of the sea
A bicycle trip in the Valley of the Springs
Sofia Hotel Tiberias
The Blue Pearl Promenade in Jisr a-Zarqa
Walks to the airport with a bikini and mask
Nahal Tzipori (Photo: Ziv Reinstein, Editing: Noa Levy)
What is your chance to walk on a weekend in the river where cute pools of water await you, and all this - within shouting distance of your parked vehicle?
So maybe "weekend" is a big word, which also includes the busy Saturday afternoons, but on our last visit here, on a Friday afternoon, we were completely alone in the creek.
True, it is not certain that this miracle will happen to you either, but there is no doubt that Nahal Zalmon in the Lower Galilee is not as bustling as its more northern friends.
On the other hand, the water in it is relatively shallow and shallow.
This is an incredibly cute hiking trail, where you will meet two lovely pools of water, which dense woodland trees hide from the world.
Take your time, sit by the water.
You have nowhere to hurry, because in any case it is a short route.
More on Walla!
3 secret spots in the most sought after streams in the country
To the full article
More on Walla!
Free and Refreshing: Water slides in nature that everyone is dying to get to
This spring is so clear, unfamiliar and meters walking from the vehicle
Water routes and springs in the country: 5 wet trips for a hot day
Do not compromise on unsatisfying sex life: this is how you will improve your performance - with an exclusive discount
A wonderfully cute hiking trail of 1.5 km. Nahal Zalmon (Photo: Walla !, Eyal Shapira system)
In the river you will meet two charming pools of water (Photo: Walla !, Eyal Shapira)
Geology has done you good
Nahal Zalmon is one of the only streams in the Lower Galilee where water flows in all seasons. Yes, even now, in the twilight of summer comes autumn. The start of the trip is in an improvised car park, which you will recognize by the sign "Nahal Zalmon" and a commercial vehicle selling popsicles and other snacks, which seems to have been here since time immemorial.
The stream is named after Horbat Zalmon, which is not far from here, but is not part of your shortened hiking trail. Yosef ben Matityahu described the settlement of Zalmon as one of the focal points of the great revolt against the Romans, about two thousand years ago. By the way, the nearby Bedouin settlement of Salameh preserves in its name a hint of the ancient name "Zalmon".
One way or another, the parking lot from here descends to the wadi with a trail marked in blue. The start of the route takes place on the steps that are absorbed in the landscape, and within a minute and a half you are already by the river. On your left side will rise a not-so-high cliff, and in the fall you may be able to watch it in the white bloom of a small-flowered lily.
Thanks to ancient geological processes, in which a common ridge was cut off by a huge rift, you can see here a beautiful rock that showcases marl rocks alongside chalk rocks.
This fracture is also the reason for the hatching of Einot Zalmon.
Or in simple words: geology has created for you wonderful water pools, which you will reach immediately.
From here, the parking lot descends to the wadi with a blue-marked path (Photo: Walla !, Eyal Shapira system)
The geology has created great pools of water.
Pool in Nahal Zalmon (Photo: Walla !, Eyal Shapira)
Hidden wading from the eye
Already at the beginning of the route will appear water plants and tangled banks, as well as picturesque orchards. In general, it is interesting to watch here how a Mediterranean grove of oaks, carobs and goddesses grows in a neighborhood close to river plants, including reeds, river hawthorn, holy raspberries and more. A few minutes after the walk begins and you will reach a cave that has opened closed at the checkpoint. Here and there you will also notice the remains of flour mills, some of which operated until the middle of the last century. It is worth noting that throughout history, stream water has been used for agriculture, as well as, as mentioned, for grinding flour, especially in the 18th and 19th centuries. At the end of this period, no less than 14 flour mills operated along the creek.
Then, almost without prior preparation, comes the first pool (or the second, if we ignore a less inviting water pool, located at the beginning of the trail, near the cave). And if you think it's photogenic, try to get it a little later. It will be larger, more beautiful, with more and more shaded seating. If you are here alone - this will be your most enjoyable connection to nature for a long time.
Operated in the previous century.
Flour mill on the bank of Nahal Zalmon (Photo: Walla !, Eyal Shapira system)
Along the route are several cave caves (Photo: Walla !, Eyal Shapira system)
Impressive hairy elm trees (elm) grow next to the pool.
There are not many places in the country where you can meet in nature this special tree, which reaches a height of ten meters and more.
In fact, Israel is considered the southernmost distribution border in the world of elm.
In a little while, if you manage to lift yourself from this beautiful place, it is recommended to continue with the hiking trail, and reach more water streams, as well as the end of the shortened route, where two large and impressive flour mills will be waiting for you.
The first is the Kardia mill, which rises to a height of two stories and looks as if it had just been bustling with life a moment ago.
The second is an amplitude mill, closer to the road that passes over you.
From here you can end the trip in one of three ways: walk all the way back and discover landscapes you may have missed, send a driver on duty to bring the vehicle or use a bouncing vehicle, if you arrived in two vehicles.
The water level reaches several tens of cm. The "big" pool in Nahal Zalmon (Photo: Walla !, Eyal Shapira system)
To know more
The route begins in the parking lot next to a brown sign announcing "Nahal Zalmon National Park."
Arriving from Road 804, south of the Rama junction on Road 85. If you arrived in two vehicles, you can hop on a second vehicle to the end point, about 1.5 km south. There are many Rama restaurants nearby. If you have the time and energy, you can combine the trip with The summit trail of Mount Meron or wander around the village of Peki'in.
Share on Facebook
Share on WhatsApp
Share on general
Share on general
Share on Twitter
Share on Email
0 comments
