The Hot Springs Project
The tidy, the pirates, the luxuries - and the luxuries a little less: the hot immersions that await you around the country, from north to south
Eyal Shapira
13/01/2022
Thursday, 13 January 2022, 08:22 Updated: 08:54
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There are always hikers chasing something.
After floods, after secret springs, after hidden caves.
But when the winter peak arrives, the most pleasant chase of all is the chase for the hot springs.
So bring a bathing suit, bring a towel (at least one. It will be cold out there), bring hot tea - and indulge in pampering.
Just keep in mind that most of the sites mentioned in the article are not regulated bathing sites, and immersion in them is the sole responsibility of the travelers.
Burden Reservoir: Depends on what day you fell
There is nothing more frustrating than traveling two hours north, just to get there and realize that your hot spring does not exist.
In some cases (such as last weekend) it will happen. On the other hand, if the hot water does flow here - you have made a huge profit. Except for farmers, but if there is hot water - everyone celebrates. And this celebration takes place next to and within small water bodies that are created in the flow path of the pipe. Just again, remember that this is an artificial water flow, which is not always done in
practice
. Bab al Eva.
Perfect for winter immersion (when open).
Burden reservoir in the Golan Heights (Photo: Tal Shema)
If there is hot water - everyone is celebrating.
Immersed in the reservoir in the burden (Photo: Photos by surfers, Roy Matalon)
Crow Reservoir: Steam in front of the landscape
Similar to the reservoir with the "new" burden from it, a raven reservoir is also characterized by a random flow: sometimes there is hot water, and sometimes you will stand in front of a dry pool.
Did you want an adventure?
Here, you got it.
In any case, when the formidable water pipe emits its warm flow in front of the picturesque landscape of the Golan Heights, the celebration is great.
On the banks of the temporary pool there is a bit of muddy ground, but once you surrender, you forget about everything.
Thick clouds of steam rising from the pool will only add to the special atmosphere.
Arrive:
"Emir Junction" in Wise.
From the junction, ascend in a northwesterly direction on Road 978, and after a few hundred meters, turn right into an improvised parking lot, from which a dirt path ascends toward the reservoir.
Once you surrender, you forget about everything.
Raven Reservoir (Photo: Walla !, Ziv Reinstein)
A water pipe emits its hot flow in front of the picturesque landscape of the Golan Heights (Photo: Walla !, Ziv Reinstein system)
Hamat Gader: The most regulated
And from the most accidental to the most permanent: Hamat Gader.
The old and well-organized bathing site is suitable for a classic winter dip, both during the day and in the evening.
The hot springs that have been flowing here for ages and ages were also frequented by the Romans, so you are in a place with a rich reputation.
The thermo-mineral water that emerges from the earth's interior fills regulated pools, and has different and strange medicinal properties.
It is a special pleasure to take a dip here in the open air, at a temperature of about 40 degrees, when it is raining outside.
As befits a bathing site, there are also wardrobes, seating areas, lawns, living areas (including the famous crocodiles), children's playgrounds, restaurants, spa treatments, diverse accommodation options and more.
Admission price: NIS 118-108 per person.
Children under one meter in height enter for free.
Arrive:
"Hamat Gader" in Wise.
The thermo-mineral water emanates from the earth's belly.
Hamat Gader (Photo: Walla! NEWS system, Ziv Reinstein)
The place is suitable for a classic winter baptism, both during the day and in the evening (Photo: official website, Ofir Abe)
Hamat Gader baths are also good for night bathing (Photo: Photo: Ron Shelef)
Ein Jones: No longer a secret
Until a few years ago, only a few knew about this hidden place, which is adjacent to the Hamat Gader site, but completely different from it.
These are a pair of concrete pools surrounded by the remains of old buildings, probably Ottoman.
And all within reach of the Jordanian border.
Most unregulated, especially in light of the fact that there is a military presence here (Israeli of course).
Today, there is no chance that you will find yourself alone, especially not on weekends.
But if you have a free morning in the middle of the week, you have won.
Keep in mind that the temperature of the water - rich in sulfur and magnesium - crosses the 40-degree mark, so it is not recommended to dip for a long time in a row.
Arrive:
"Hamat Gader" in Wise.
Camp in the regulated parking lot of Hamat Gader, and from there walk a few minutes east.
Please note: In some cases, the military may close the venue to visitors.
Ein Jones (Photo: Ziv Reinstein)
A pair of concrete pools surrounded by the remains of old buildings.
Ein Jones (Photo: Eyal Shapira, Eyal Shapira)
Hamat Tiberias: Small and bright
Hamat Tiberias National Park is best known for the magnificent remains of an ancient synagogue that operated there during the Mishnah and Talmud, where you will find spectacular mosaics with a high level of preservation.
So do not miss the synagogue, but mostly come here on winter days to enjoy shallow paddling pools trained on site.
Thermo-mineral springs flow into the pools, which were also used in ancient times, thanks to their medicinal properties.
And it's also great fun, especially if you're with small children.
Admission: NIS 14 for an adult, NIS 7 for a child (free for cache subscribers).
Arrival must be arranged in advance on the website of the Nature and Parks Authority.
To arrive:
"Hamat Tiberias National Park" in Wise.
More on Walla!
And thanks to the Sea of Galilee: the hot spring that returned to spring after a decade
To the full article
The Roman Spring in Hamat National Park (Ziv Levy, Nature and Parks Authority)
The temperature in some of the pools is 35 degrees.
Hamat Tiberias (Photo: Ziv Levy)
Enjoy shallow paddling pools trained on site (Photo: Nature and Parks Authority, Ziv Levy, Nature and Parks Authority)
Even in ancient times, water was used in Hamat Tiberias, thanks to its medicinal properties (Photo: Ziv Levy)
The Three Gardens National Park: The Secret Side of Sahna
Let's lower expectations on the one hand, and raise them on the other.
In Gan Hashlosha National Park (Sahna) the water is not hot.
Something like 28 degrees fixed, all year round.
On the other hand, this will be your most photogenic baptism.
Still, 28 degrees is more than what is in the open air next to the water.
And if you arrive on a weekday morning - there is a situation where you will be here all alone.
Especially if it also rains.
For those who do not know, the site in the Beit She'an Valley offers turquoise pools, spacious lawns, ancient flour mills and lots of corners for a winter picnic.
There are also toilets, wardrobes and everything you need to make your immersion tidy and pleasant.
Admission: NIS 39 for an adult, NIS 24 for a child.
Arrival must be arranged in advance on the website of the Nature and Parks Authority.
Arrive:
"Garden of the Three Gardens" in Wise.
The site in the Beit She'an Valley offers turquoise pools.
Gan Hashlosha National Park (Photo: Adi Wiener)
The sting, photographed in January (Photo: Walla! NEWS system, Eyal Shapira)
The temperature in the Garden of the Three is 28 degrees constant, all year round (Photo: Walla! NEWS system, Eyal Shapira)
Ein Kedem: Hot anti
And from the far north - in a tremendous leap to the south, straight to the shores of the Dead Sea.
We are talking about Ein Kedem, which is located in the estuary of Nahal Kedem, north of Ein Gedi.
On winter Saturdays the place is full of hikers who come to savor hot springs, courtesy of the Syrian-African Rift.
Here, it is highly advisable to check the heat of the water before you dip, as some of it may be hot.
And in any case, bring with you a few bottles of water, so you can wash yourself after the sulfur-rich immersion.
Because regulated it is not.
Far from it.
Do not descend from the access path, due to the danger of sinkholes in the area.
To get there:
From Highway 90, north of Ein Gedi, park near a sign pointing to Nahal Kedem, and descend towards the beach, in a walk that lasts several minutes.
On winter Saturdays the place is full of hikers.
Ein Kedem (Photo: Walla! NEWS system, Assaf Yigbs)
It is highly recommended to check the water temperature before immersing (Photo: Walla !, Eyal Shapira)
Plutic Eye: Not hot, but romantic
In the southern part of the Dead Sea springs a cute little spring, straight to a small, invisible turquoise pool, courtesy of a number of palm trees that shade it.
The water is certainly not hot, but it is lukewarm plus.
What's more, the whole area is pleasant to stay in even in winter.
A Plutical Eye, named after Lot's daughter, is also called "The Fountain of Love," thanks to the romantic scene it offers.
Arrive:
"Plutical Eye" in Wise.
A romantic place with pleasant water.
Walking in a Pluteal Eye (Photo: Courtesy of the Photographers, Shaharsegalescu)
A small, hidden turquoise pool (Photo: courtesy of the photographers, Amitbacho)
The entire Dead Sea area is pleasant to stay in even in winter (Photo: courtesy of the photographers, shiri1yardeni)
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hot Springs
Ein Gedi
Hamat Gader
Hamat Tiberias