The greenest place in Israel is waiting for you, but not for long

For most of the year, the Jordan Valley is yellow, hot and quite desolate from hikers.

But in March it becomes the greenest and most flourishing place in Israel.

Under responsibility.

This is also the reason for the "Green Valley" festival, which takes place every Friday this month and offers tours, culinary and events.

Fast, before it turns yellow

Ziv Reinstein

03/03/2022

Thursday, 03 March 2022, 16:24 Updated: 16:53

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A trip in the Jordan Valley (Photo: Ziv Reinstein, Editing: Nir Chen)

It does not last long in the year, but for a few weeks in winter-spring, the Jordan Valley, which is identified with a terrible yellow and brown color - becomes the most pleasant and green place in the country.

In March, the mountains, hills, wheat plains and slopes of marl are painted a bright green and bloom like nowhere else in the country.

Under responsibility.

Avner Rinot, a surveyor in the Nature Conservation Unit of the Society for the Protection of Nature, says that the rains that have fallen this season, so far, have led to great growth in this arid area.

"The heavy rainfall has resulted in a lot of greenery and a wonderful bloom that following the cold winter is only in its infancy."

According to him, due to the good conditions, this season you can see carpets of arid hyacinth in the hills of the Tzuri ridge, between the entrances to Jericho and Givat Hanad, in Yitav and other sites.

Perhaps all of this green is what gave the Jordan Valley Regional Council the idea to celebrate the color of nature at a relatively new festival (second year in total) called "Green Valley," which will be held on Fridays each March.

The bloom of course is just an excuse to get to an area that unfortunately not many people get to anyway - areas, far, hot and other excuses - but an hour's drive from the center on the Trans-Samaria road, and you are in another world, green and blooming.

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It is usually yellow, until winter comes.

Rotem Hamidbar blooms in the Jordan Valley (Photo: Walla !, Ziv Reinstein)

The land of the date

6,500 residents live in the Jordan Valley - a surprising number in its small size given the vast area along which it is spread - more than 70 km from the Dead Sea in the south to Nahal Bezeq in the north, south of Beit She'an. But also the

infrastructure

, and especially the tourism.

, A farmer and palm grower from Moshav Hamra, who during the festival will be happy to take families (by appointment) to the endless palm groves of the moshav behind the border fence with Jordan. Which are hidden through the wheat and barley that grow wild.

Then you come to the natural lookout, which reveals thousands of palm trees arranged like soldiers, and a total of 600 dunams of palm groves, mostly of the Majhool type, but also the Nur palm.

Then you can go down for a round in the orchards themselves, treat yourself to coffee and date "bonbon", which is a very meaty and sweet mahjol, get explanations about the area, agriculture and also the beautiful shrubs - the next generation of palms.

Thousands of Israeli palms are located across the border fence.

The enclave of Moshav Hamra (Photo: Walla !, Ziv Reinstein)

The view of the endless orchard is simply spectacular (Photo: Walla !, Ziv Reinstein)

Then go down to the orchard itself, to taste this sweet fruit (Photo: Walla !, Ziv Reinstein)

Flour on wheels

For a slightly more intimate activity, head to the religious-community settlement of Maskiyot - (crocheted kippah) - where you will find "Shikmah" - a place for grinding flour founded by David Herzlich - but just two or three months ago he started taking a club car trip in the area with Tehila Citrin.

"Wheat has always touched us," explains David, who originally came from Kfar Zeitim in the Galilee, "and we used to grind the wheat with the Arabs, and about seven years ago I set up the mill here."

On a tour that lasts about an hour and a half or more, you will ride in these small and fast SUVs to a beautiful corner of beauty that is now bursting with blossoms, and in the last year has been declared a nature reserve by the Central Command General.

There you will see the carpets of the afternoon that are found in purple, the white harnesses that dot the green hills and carpets of red anemones that will make you realize that you do not always need the "red south".

On the tour, you will see Mount Bezeq, which is actually northern Samaria and the back of the Gilboa, and rises to a height of 713 meters above sea level, hear about new springs renovated by students of the area and drink herbal tea in front of a dull and unfamiliar view.

Some of the activities offered by the two include a pitas baking workshop, breakfast preparation, kite flying and at the end you can enter the nearby Freedom Coop and see how chickens are really raised, which lay freedom eggs humanely and without human intervention, and you can pick up some at home.

Look east.

Club car trip near Maskiyot (Photo: Walla !, Ziv Reinstein)

The views you will see on the tour are simply wonderful (Photo: Walla !, Ziv Reinstein)

If you already have eggs, then just like that.

Freedom chicken coop in continuity (Photo: Walla !, Ziv Reinstein system)

The brunch that must not be missed

There are not many culinary options in the beautiful valley, so when there is already something good - not to be missed.

Hannah and Netanel Agiv from Moshav Hemdat (named after a hero from Agnon's books) have been catering for years. They first opened "Rosalia" eight years ago in the Beit She'an shopping center.

However, with the start of the Corona, the couple was debating what to do in the closure - whether to return to Beit She'an or not. , Hannah recalls.Since then they have decided to stay coveted and host on Fridays hikers, friends and guests with pastries, challah, Kaunas, croissant sandwiches, salads, breakfasts and what not.

In their charming house you can sit in the yard and eat a picnic package or order a meal in advance for families or groups at different prices - from 45 to 300 shekels for up to four people.

On Fridays there is a local brunch and they also have a large confectionery at home, so everything is made in a fresh and delicious place.

Bake everything on the spot - fresh and delicious.

"Rosalia", Moshav Hemdat (Photo: Walla !, Ziv Reinstein)

Grab a table and go back to eating.

The house of Hannah and Netanel in Moshav Hemdat (Photo: Walla !, Ziv Reinstein)

Do not stay green with envy

Did you finish eating?

Take a few minutes walk to the end of the seat, where a perfect view to the east awaits.

The late Arik Sheetrit (one of the founders of Hemdat) provides a beautiful place to sit and see the Moab Mountains, the Israeli, Jordanian and Palestinian settlements of the Jordan Valley. The Gate of Entry into the Land

", where our ancestor Jacob fought with the angel and was given the name Israel.

Beyond that, in the coming month, hundreds of purple lupines will be waiting for you, which are already blooming en masse (I took a photo yesterday - 1.3.22).

These and other explanations, you can get by the excellent guides of a tour center Shadmot Mehola, which is the equivalent of a field school, and from it come dozens of tours that specialize in the valley, the back of the mountain and the area.

The tours are guided by Shas and adult guides, and the center also has a guest house with 24 rooms at very reasonable prices - NIS 400 per room for up to six people. The tours do not take place on Saturdays. Sick.

Amazing spot to the view.

The late Arik Sheetrit, Hemdat (Photo: Walla !, Ziv Reinstein)

Deep Purple came to the valley.

Lupines in Moshav Hemdat (Photo: Walla !, Ziv Reinstein)

The valley is so beautiful now - do not give it up, do not stay green with envy.

• Tourism

• Excursions in the country

• Excursions in the south

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• Jordan Valley

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