Solo Sukkot: travel itineraries in Israel that will be (relatively) empty of travelers
really?
Just you and nature in Sukkot?
With a little luck, there's a good chance you'll be able to accomplish this task.
Get 8 itineraries for the whole family, with one common denominator: they are still not too well known
Eyal Shapira
11/10/2022
Tuesday, October 11, 2022, 3:00 p.m. Updated: 3:48 p.m.
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Ein Peluti spring (photo: leo_reinwald, shiri1yardeni, lior.romano, Amitbacho, Shaharsegalescu)
A small country, they travel a lot.
This equation cannot be broken, certainly not during the Sukkot holiday, when the entire nation of Israel flocks to nature.
On the other hand, there are travel routes that will be relatively empty even now.
Ofi are even completely empty, if you really arrive early and equip yourself with a handful of luck.
So there you have it - solo Sukkot.
Just before you start, keep in mind that if you like one or more of these recommendations, you must have a map (or a terrain navigation app) and a detailed "road story".
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Leaving the Sukkah:
Go to Walla's special Sukkah trips page!
Tourism
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Sukkot 2022: All the activities and attractions for children during the Hol HaMoed Sukkot
holiday free of charge: Free activities for children during the Hol HaMoed Sukkot to
travel in the Sukkot without traffic jams: 10 nature sites near your city
The Tof Kerem Reserve from the Israel Defense Forces: a volcanic trip
Deep under the radar of many travelers, a cute and relatively easy circular hiking route awaits you, in a place that goes by the name of the "Kerem Tuff Reserve of the Harel". The tuff rock is the same rock that was born as a result of volcanic eruptions that occurred in this area millions of years ago. Submerged below sea level. The view of the Kerem Valley from the Haral, seen from the top of the hill in the heart of the route will be worth the slight gasp.
And in between, you will be exposed to the massive gray-black rock that is in the heart of the reserve.
To know more:
the length of the route is 2.5 km (circular). In this case, the Wise will not be able to guide you precisely. Just drive on road 7021 towards Kerem Maharal, but before you reach the settlement look for a green sign on the left side that says the reserve.
This is where the route begins and ends.
A cute and relatively easy circular tour.
Toff Kerem Reserve in Carmel (photo: Walla! system, Ziv Reinstein)
To Horvat Masad in the Neve Ilan extension: high above the highway
The highway between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, along which the railway was also added, may sometimes make us forget the fact that this area of the Jerusalem mountains contains several natural gems.
High above the road rises the Neve Ilan branch, which is mostly forested, providing a pleasant walk, plenty of scenic views, picnic sites and lots of greenery for the eyes.
Among the more special sites on the route, you will find the spectacular "Loki's Bird", high above the world, the sculpture garden near the Bnei Kaplan parking lot and also the ruins of Masad, the remains of a guard system that weakened the roads that connected Jerusalem to the lowlands.
From here you can clearly see the city of Modi'in, Rishon LeZion and other cities in the lowlands.
To know more:
the length of the route is about 5 km (circular) and the level of difficulty is easy plus (medium if you are with small children). Write in Wise "Rekfat Neve Ilan Square", park, walk west on a black path and you are on the right path.
A pleasant walk, plenty of scenic views and picnic sites.
Neve Ilan branch (photo: Eyal Shapira)
"The Green Gallery - Dina Park": Art in the fields
Between Arsuf and Shafiim, a treasure is hidden, parts of which are sometimes visible in the blink of an eye when speeding past on the nearby coastal road.
In a place called "Arsuf Kedem" (not to be confused with the nearby settlement Arsuf), an environmental sculpture gallery operates in the open air, among spacious fields.
"Dina Park" houses dozens of sculptures, made by artists from Israel and the world.
The initiative is by a local man, Daniel Manheim, in memory of his wife Dina.
You can drive by car on the narrow road and the dirt roads next to the statues, and stop every time you see something that catches your eye and heart.
Of course, it is even more recommended to walk on foot = the complex itself is flat and not too big.
To know more:
the route is easy, and hardly requires walking.
In Wise: "The Green Gallery - Dina Park".
Interesting information about the history of the place on the website: https://www.greengallery.co.il/he/home.html
Parts of it are sometimes visible when speeding past on the coastal road.
The Green Gallery - Dina Park (Photo: Eyal Shapira)
The ruins of Beit Levia and Givat Gad: the treasure of the mosaics
What do you think of when you hear "southern lowland"?
Nothing in particular comes to mind?
Excellent.
This means that it probably won't be too crowded even on Sukkot.
In fact, this is a beautiful region that does not get the rating it deserves.
Try the ruins of Beit Levia, where there are ancient remains, bell caves that children will fly over, and mosaics that are waiting for you to discover them.
There are quite a few mosaics here, but there is no doubt that the most beautiful of them all is the one that shows a sailboat with fishermen.
After you've finished exploring the ruins of Beit Levia, enjoy a panoramic view from the top of nearby Givat Gad.
It rises to a relatively modest height above sea level (400 meters), but it feels much higher.
From the summit, you will clearly notice the Judean Mountains, the lowlands, Gush Dan and the Hebron mountain area.
Know more:
In Wise "The Ruin of Beit Loya".
If you have a normal car, drive slowly and carefully on the dirt roads.
Horvat Gad is nearby, and Wise knows it too.
Here you will have to park and climb a little.
In any case, both routes are easy and both don't go more than a few hundred meters.
A corner of a beautiful country that does not get the rating it deserves.
The ruins of Beit Levia (photo: Walla! system, Ziv Reinstein)
Nahal Karkash near Sde Boker: hidden from view
In the morning, tell the children that they are going to Nahal Karkash, and they will immediately agree just because of this funny name.
This is a shorter and less well-known route than its neighbor, Nahal Hvarim.
He is waiting for you at the foot of the Sde Boker seminary.
Camp at the Ben Gurion Tomb site (recommended to visit after or before the trip), walk towards Route 90 and go down the Nahal Karkash channel, in the middle of beautiful desert landscapes, which will probably also be relatively empty in Sukkot.
Here you will also find different types of rock - in different colors.
Beauty of desert nature straight to the soul.
To know more:
the length of the route is 2 km if you arrived in two vehicles or 3.5 km in one vehicle.
Difficulty level: medium (hard climb at the end, which is saved if you did come in two cars).
In Wise: "Ben-Gurion's tomb."
Do not walk on the track if it is raining or about to rain in the area, due to the risk of flooding.
A short and less well-known route from its nearby friend, Nahal Hvarim.
Nahal Karkash (photo: Walla! system, Eyal Shapira)
Nahal Naaman: Pastoralism in Kiryat
It turns out that even in the Kiryat region, which is all about bustling urbanism, you can find great nature.
Take Kiryat Bialik, for example, where the Naaman stream flows slowly.
There used to be a huge swamp in the area, and all that remains is this lazy stream that crosses the Zebulon Valley.
The route is easy and accessible for strollers, and next to the stream you will find picnic areas, playgrounds for children and an abundance of local vegetation.
A sighting of soft turtles will also be a pleasant surprise, if you are lucky.
Know more:
The length of the route is about 4 km, with a light level of difficulty. The route is linear, but it can be done as a circle, while repeating part of it. In Wise: "Naaman Creek Trail".
Even in the Kiryat area, which is all urban, you can find great nature.
Nahal Naaman (photo: Walla! NEWS system, Eyal Shapira)
Aqev ruin: at the end of the nose of the Carmel
On weekends and holidays, the Benefactor Gardens attract crowds of visitors, and this is a good opportunity to skip the queues or the hustle and bustle (or rather, save them for quieter days), and skip to the nearby Haqev ruin.
It is a fun trip, without too many dramas, which provides an encounter with ancient remains and also with a great view from the area known as "The Carmel Nose".
The ruin itself, from which you can clearly see the sea, is a remnant of a manor house surrounded by a wall, from the time of the Second Temple.
On the way you will discover many pleasant and isolated corners.
To know more:
the length of the route is about 4 km (circular). In Wise: Geni Handiv. Park and look for a sign pointing to Horvat Eqab (red marking).
A fun trip, without too many dramas.
Horvat Eqab (Photo: Eyal Shapira)
Ein Tamar caves and a view from Mount Sodom: Baktana desert
Don't let the word "track" mislead you, because in this case, it is only a few hundred meters, which is definitely suitable for families with small children who want to feel the desert in a small way.
The route(s) in the Ein Tamar caves will bring you together with caves that were adopted by monks in the sixth and seventh centuries AD.
They sought to abstain from company and devote their time to prayer, and even carved caves here and there in the rock.
If you're already here, complete the scene with an optional dip in the nearby Ein Plotite spring.
The water itself is relatively warm, and suitable for autumn immersion.
For dessert - a great view, especially recommended at dusk.
You will make this observation from the top of Mount Sodom, which is mostly made of salt.
Know more:
The length of the track in the cave area is only a few hundred meters.
Easy difficulty level.
Arriving at the Ein Tamar Caves - from Route 90 turn east on Route 2499 and look for a sign announcing the name of the route (not shown on Wise).
Ein Peluti is further down the road, and appears in Wise.
To Mount Sodom - "Mount Sodom in Wise" (although it is recommended to use signage in the area as well).
Suitable for families with small children who want to feel the desert on a small scale.
The Dead Sea from Mount Sodom (Photo: ShutterStock, Shutterstock)
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Sukkot 2022
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