Abraham Path-Gilboa Atlas v1.0

8/10/2019 Abraham Path-Gilboa Atlas v1.0

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Gilboa Atlas

topographical maps &route descriptions

a work in progress - v1.0


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*

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Accommodations : Hotel, hostel, guesthouse, homestay, or free trail angel room

Implies: Water, Bathrooms with showers, Shade, shelter

Bedouin tent accommodations: Guesthouse with sleeping arrangements in Bedouin-style tents, not buildings

Implies: Water, Bathrooms, Shade, shelter

Campsite: An area officially designated for camping, a commercial campsite, or a well-established, often-used wild

campsite. In some natural areas, camping is only permitted in designated sites in order to protect the environment

Implies: No services unless otherwise noted

Free unless otherwise notedRecommended campsite: An area suitable for wild camping, but not typically used for it

Implies: No services unless otherwise noted

Drinking water: A reliable source of potable water

When appearing next to a spring, well, stream or other natural water source, the water still should be purified before

drinking. The symbol will only appear next to natural water sources that have water year-roundRestaurant: Any establishment selling prepared meals

Implies: Water, Bathrooms, Shade, shelter (possibly only for customers)Grocery store: A store selling substantial foods and essentials (rather than simply snacks)

Implies: Water, Bathrooms, Shade, shelter (possibly only for customers)

Bus stop: A station or stop where public transit can be taken. May be a central bus station or a roadside stop

Bathrooms: Western-style toilets and sinks unless otherwise noted. Does not imply showers; does imply shelter

Picnic area: An area with picnic tables and other park amenities. May be a good camp spot, if notedImplies: ShadeGas station: A gas (petrol) station and its accompanying facilities

Implies: Water, Bathrooms, Shade, shelter, and a snack shop

Shade: A reliably shady spot to rest in. Only appears in stages where shade is otherwise nonexistent; sometimes

refers to the point at which a stage begins to have regular shade after having lacked it (see stage notes for details)All Amenities: A large town or city generally has everything a hiker needs for resupply, and many shopping,

accommodation, and restaurant options; this is used to save space rather than showing all icons

Implies: Accommodations, Restaurants, Grocery Stores, Public Transportation, Bathrooms, Shade, Water, shelter

Spring: A natural water source emerging from the ground, or a pool. May have water only in season. Often

only visible as an area of heavy plant growth. Does not imply drinking water unless otherwise noted

Well or cistern: A man-made water source dug in the ground. May not have water; also appears to serve as a

landmark. Does not imply drinking water unless otherwise noted

Lookout: A natural or man-made viewpoint with a view in the specified direction

360-degree lookout: A lookout point in all directions; usually the summit of a hill, or a watchtower

Cave: A cave of any size; may be anything from a small nook in a cliff wall to a large cavern system

Implies: Shade and shelter (caves marked on maps are always large enough for people to fit into)

Waterfall: A wet or dry waterfall; dry ones run only seasonally or after rain. Does not imply drinking water

Scrambling: A section of trail where rock scrambling (using hands) is required. Note that these are all non-technical;

no sections on the Abraham Path require the use of ropes or other climbing equipment

Ladders: A section of trail where the climbing of ladders, staples or ropes is necessary. Again, it is never necessary

to bring any special equipment on the Abraham Path; all ladders, ropes, and handholds are already installed

Exposed trail: A section of trail that is narrow and exposed to a long drop on one or both sides; path may be

slippery or unstable as well. Use extreme caution when crossing.

While none of these sections are inherently dangerous, people with extreme fear of heights may find these

sections impossible to pass and may wish to plan not to hike these stages

General warning: When this symbol is present, a note beside it or in the walking notes will explain why caution or

extra attention is required on that trail section

Flash flood risk area: An area, normally in a narrow or deep wadi or canyon, where dangerous flash floods (large

walls of water moving extremely quickly) can occur.It does not have to be raining for a flash flood to occur; rain upstream of a desert canyon can cause flash

flooding in the canyon. Always check local weather forecasts before hiking in flash flood risk areas

Amenities

Natural Features

Trail Features and Warnings


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3

Ruins or archaeological site: Ruins of any age or size. Free admission (or non-maintained site) unless

otherwise noted

Point of interest: Generic symbol for relevant locations not covered by another symbol; see notes beside the

point for more information

Synagogue/Church/Mosque or religious site: This may be either a significant site for one or more religions

(tomb of a famous figure; traditional site of a story or event; etc.) or simply one serving as a landmark

Abraham Path route: Shows the route followed by the Abraham Path on a given stage

Other Abraham Path route: Shows Abraham Path routes other than the one that is the focus of a stage

map; includes previous and next stages, detours, spurs, etc.

City Walk routes: Shows City Walk routes, special spurs/alternates of the Abraham Path

Begin/End Stage: Mark the beginning and ending of a stage on stage maps

Waypoints and Distance Indicators: Waypoints mark turn-by-turn directions and navigational

landmarks along a trail stage. There may be a distance markers, indicating cumulative distance from the

beginning of the stage. Even if no distance is attached, each waypoint has a corresponding entry in thestages data book which does list its distance as well as a description of the location and directions

Roads: Beige are larger highways, up to expressways; white are smaller roads as well as city streets.

Labelled with road number if applicable

Roads marked this way are virtually always asphalt, but in some places with very few paved roads, a wide,

smooth, easily driveable dirt road may also be marked as a white road (e.g. Harran region)

Dirt road or 4x4 track: A wide, unpaved surface generally large enough to accommodate a jeep or 4x4

vehicle. Should be assumed not to be accessible by normal car unless otherwise noted. The distinction

between these and paths (below) is a gradual one, and some trails are on the borderline between both, or

change from one to the other over a distance

Footpath: A narrow, unpaved walking surface generally too small or too rough to be driven by a 4x4

vehicle. May be wide enough for two people to walk abreast, or a narrow, faint goat path. May be very

clear and easy to follow, or faint and more intermittent.

Wadi or ditch: A wadi is an intermittent streambed which flows with water only in the wet season or

after rain. Many of them form very large canyons, and wadi can refer either to the broader canyon or to

the streambed in the bottom of it

Stream/River: Waterways that flow year-round, rather than seasonally. A stream is usually small enough to

cross easily by foot, while a river is larger. Canals appear the same as streams or rivers

Contour Lines: Show the topography of a landscape; a line is drawn every 10m of elevation, and a thicker line

every 100m with a label showing its height. Lines closer together mean a steeper slope; further apart mean a

gradual one

Border: Country boundaries

Summit: A peak or local high point

Built-up area: A town, residential, commercial or industrial area

Forest: A densely wooded area

The Israeli trail marking system consists of various-colored trail marks (black, blue, red, and green; also

purple and orange for certain longer-distance routes) marked with striped symbols shown at left. They

appear on our maps when relevant instead of the 4x4 track or path marking.

The Israel Trail, a long-distance route, is marked with orange-blue-white blazes and a pink translucent line, as

it often overlaps with other marked trails. The Abraham Path in the Negev overlaps with the Israel Trail for

significant distances.

Cultural Features

Trail Indicators

Other Geography

Israeli Trail System

1.4

Wadi Name


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Abraham PathGilboa Region (Israel)

5km 10 15 20 25 30 35 40.1-300

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Stage 1: 13.9km

Stage 2: 9.7km Stage 3: 16.4km

BeitS

hea

nCr

ossin

g

(0.0km

)

BeitS

hea

n

(13.

9km

)

Be

itAl

fa

(23.6)

Sand

ala

(40.

1km)

abrahampath.org

Te Abraham Path is a long-distance cultural walking route ollowing the ootsteps and memory o Abrahamacross the Middle East. Te Abraham Path celebrates the Abrahamic values o hospitality and kindness to

strangers, provides eco-nomic benefits to local communities along the route. For more practical planning in-ormation, including downloadable companion GPS tracks and waypoints, visit www.abrahampath.org.

Tis map series is part o an effort by local partners and the Abraham Path Initiative to produce the first all-path online guidebook, covering over 400 km o walking trail and Abrahamic memory and heritage acrossthe Middle East. We invite you to take part in this project by walking the path, visiting communities along theway, and by providing comments and suggestions or improvement. Tese routes are still in development, andmap eedback is especially helpul or name corrections (towns, wadis, landmarks), areas which are difficult tonavigate, and updates on current path conditions ([email protected]).

Map data OpenStreetMap (and) contributors, CC-BY-SADatabook & Diagrams Abraham Path Initiative

Disclaimer

Tis map may not be up to date with recent changes on the ground. By making this map available, the Abraham Path Initiative doesnot assume any liability or use o the inormation provided or or its accuracy. All hiking and other outdoor activities have potentialhazards involving risk o injury or death. Te wilderness in and o itsel can be a dangerous place and there are areas in the MiddleEast that can suddenly become subject to security instability.

By using this map or any use, you recognize this, assume all risks o property damage, personal injury and death, and agree to

hold the Abraham Path Initiative, its Board Directors, its staff, its partners, its contributors and authors harmless rom any liabilityand loss. You accept the terms and conditions set orth in this Disclaimer on the Abraham Path Initiative website by downloading,streaming or using any map or other inormation or materials provided on the Abraham Path Initiative website.

Find out more at www.abrahampath.org


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Stage2

Stage

3

Stage1

BeitShean

Crossing

Jord

anRi

ver

BeitShean

Sandala

Beit

Alfa

MoazHaim

NerDavid

GanNer

abrahampath.org

71

60

90

90


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Jordan

Riv

er

JordanR

iver

Harod

Stream

Haro

dStre

am 71

90

90

71

6667

6688

7078

7079

669

0.0

2.6

4.6

6.6

7.8

9.2

11.0

12.8

13.9

1.1

0.8

BeitShean

BeitShean

RomanRuins

($)

Shean

Junction

Basalt

Canyon

HaN

etziv

Junction

NeveEit

an

Hamadia

GaneiHuga($)

M

aozHaim

BeitShean

Crossing

FishPools

*

abrahampath.org


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1: Beit Shean Crossing to Beit Shean(Gilboa Region)

km Walking notes +km

0.0 BEGIN SAGE at the Beit Shean Crossing, by a restaurant.Head W up the road

0.3

0.3 urn L rom the highway to walk along a dirt road parallel to itwith a fish pond on L

0.5

0.8 urn L away rom the fish pond, crossing a cattle guard markedby a sign in Hebrew and an arrow; continue uphill on the dirtroad

0.2

1.0 urn R along the paved road, ollowing the signs in Hebrewand arrows; on your L/behind once you turn is a enced build-ing

0.2

1.2 As road curves R, turn L ollowing another signpost, to a blazewhere an orange trail heads R away rom a blue trail with anorange dot. urn R with the orange blazes along a 4x4 trackparallel to the paved road, with a plowed agricultural field on L

0.8

2.0 Just beore reaching a streambed lined with eucalyptus trees,turn L at the first 4x4

0.6

2.6 urn R on the paved road, then soon turn L away rom it onto asmall, rough asphalt road into the palm trees

0.3

2.9 Just afer the rough asphalt road turns to gravel, turn R awayrom it on a dirt road with palm orchards immediately on Land a small stream dividing you rom palm orchards on R

0.2

3.1 urn R on a slightly smaller 4x4 track at a large black watertank

0.3

3.4 At the , turn L on the dirt road, keeping the outer ence oMaoz Haim on R

1.0

4.4 Reach the paved road (Hwy. 71) and continue straight across.Ten turn R to walk parallel to the road on an overgrown 4x4track

0.2

4.6 urn L onto the lower o two dirt roads going L. A signpost atR indicates the trail to a lookout

0.2

6.6 Pass a lookout point immediately to R, and head downhill, thenhead L onto a 4x4 track, crossing a cattle guard

2.0

7.3 At the Y, turn L, uphill on the dirt road. Afer 100 meters, turnL again at the junction with two dirt roads joining rom R

0.5

7.8 urn R at the 0.8

8.6 urn R through the gate, then stay straight 0.1

8.7 urn R, cross the cattle guard, then turn L 0.5

9.2 Continue straight aross Nahal Harod. Ten go uphill and curveR with the 4x4 track, with woods on LOPION: I the crossing is too deep, backtrack 100m to a dirtroad heading NW, and ollow it to a paved road which will leadyou to Basalt Canyon Park where you can rejoin the route.

0.5

9.7 Curve R down onto another 4x4, staying in the woods, as thetrack you were on continues straight and out o the orest

0.3

10.0 Shortly beore the 4x4 reaches a hilltop and leaves the orest,turn R to leave it, ollowing a turn blaze away rom any clearpath. Next blaze is on a large metal pipe some distance aheadthrough the woods; a ootpath resumes there

0.1

10.1 At the edge o the woods, continue out across the field, againwith no clear path - ollow blazes on metal stakes in the ground

0.2

10.3 Curve L along the hillside, with a ence above on L, ollowingblazes, as a ootpath reappears

0.5

10.8 Reach the top o a low climb and a small dam; turn R on the4x4 as the ootpath ends

0.1

10.9 urn R toward the park and bridge to cross a green ootbridgeonto a park path. Follow the paved park paths down to the

bridge

0.1

11.0 urn L to cross the bridge over the Basalt Canyon o Nahal Ha-rod. Afer crossing the bridge, ollow the orange blazes towarda shelter and picnic table at L ahead

0.1

11.1 In the middle o the park, beore the row o large boulderssetting apart the parking lot, turn L away rom orange blazes,up toward the road, ollowing a ootpath toward the bridge,ollowing a stream under it

0.3

11.4 Cross a green ootbridge and turn L toward the concrete cross-ing over the stream. Just afer crossing the stream, turn R on aaint, overgrown path ollowing the edge o the orest on R

0.2

11.6 urn R on the dirt track with the streambed below to R 1.0

12.6 urn slight L, uphill, then continue on the dirt road , curvingR, as several others dirt roads join it

0.1

12.7 Continue straight past the gate, going around it on L in case itis locked. Afer 50 meters, continue over a cattle guard, then, atthe Y, go L on the dirt road heading uphill

0.1

12.8 Reach a paved road along the national park perimeter; turn Lon it, heading uphill

0.8

13.6 Keep R past a park area, curving R with houses and the cityon L

0.1

13.7 Reach the access road to the Beit Shean NP parking lot romtown; turn L uphill (or R to go to the park)

0.2

13.9 Reach a roundabout with Roman pillars in the center, on ShaulHaMelekh St. SAGE END

END

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Cany

onPark

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Crossing MaozH

aim

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4.6 11.0

Hwy.71

6.6

Beit Shean

*

abrahampath.org

Distance: 13.9 kmTime: 3-4 hours

Physical Challenge: EasyTrail Difficulty: Moderate

ransportation:

Inrequent buses stop at Maoz Haim, while much more requentones to many destinations leave rom Beit Shean. Beit Shean inturn has connections to Aula, the broader regional transit hub.

Water:

Water is available just outside the Beit Shean crossing and inany town near the trail. Ganei Huga is a number o kilometersoff-trail, as a ence prevents crossing the stream in a more directroute. A gas station near Basalt Canyon Park also can providewater and snacks.

Stage Notes:

Hikers arriving rom across the Jordan may want to spend thenight camping in Maoz Haim or at a guest room in Neve Eitanrather than continuing all the way to Beit Shean.

Te extensive Roman ruins at Beit Shean (Roman Scythopolis)are well worth several hours to visit. Admission 40NIS/child24NIS/student 34NIS. 8am-5pm April-September; 8am-4pmOctober-March.


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TelTemes

TelZaharon

TelShu

kha

SokekSpring

TelZehara

MaaleGilboaJunction

BeitAlfa

Synagogue

GanhaShlosha($)

Park

haMayaanot

HaKibbutzim

HaKibbutzimS

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So

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Str

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71

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FishPools

FishPools

BeitShean

BeitAlfa

*BeitShean

RomanRuins($)

Str

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m

Ama

l

Mesilot

NerDavid

Kheftziba

SdeNahum

Reshafim

abrahampath

.org


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0.0 BEGIN SAGE at the roundabout in ront o Beit Sheanpark (intersection o Shaul HaMelekh St. and Yerusha-

layim HaBira) and head NW on Shaul HaMelekh, stay-ing R on it as you head out o town

0.9

1.3 urn L downhill, beginning to ollow red blazes; thenthe red trail joins with orange blazes

0.3

3.3 urn L on the paved path between the narrow bridge,then cross it over the stream

0.1

3.4 Afer the bridge, turn R through the park/picnic area onpaved ootpaths, then go L onto a wide, unpaved road

1.8

3.6 urn R at the dirt road at the where a signpost in He-brew indicates different trail destinations, then continuestraight past another 4-way intersection past anothersignpost and along a canal

1.9

5.1 urn L, cross a bridge, then go R on another dirt road,

leaving the red blazes

1.1

5.2 Cross the road (Hwy. 669), passing signs or Jerusalem,Reshafim and Sheluhot; then turn R on the gravel road

0.2

5.3 urn L at the electrical pylon, ollowing the path by thecanal

0.7

5.4 Cross a small bridge, then turn R on the dirt road (noblazes visible)

0.6

5.6 urn R toward a picnic area; the orange trail joins witha black trail. Afer the picnic area, turn L to the pavedroad

0.5

5.7 urn R on the paved road, then curve R, as the orangetrail leaves the black trail. Above on L is a hill with anold lookout tower (el Shukha)

0.5

6.8 At the , go R with the transparent blazes (to a swim-ming hole), leaving the orange blazes, which go L.Stay on the paved road as it curves L away rom thetransparent blazes

0.5

6.9 Stay L past the Works Area sign and go L beorethe gate to the parking lot, then turn R (rejoining oldroute). Ten urn L at the gate up toward the parkinglot, then turn R to walk along the ence to R

0.5

7.0 Pass the entrance to Park HaMayaanot on R and con-tinue straight

0.2

7.8 urn R, keeping the ences on R, and continue towardHwy. 669, past the entrance to Gan HaShlosha. urn Lalong Hwy. 669, then L again on Hwy. 6666

1.5

8.7 urn R at the green-blazed dirt road 1.5

9.4 urn R toward the kibbutz, leaving the green-blazedtrail which goes L

1.2

9.7 Entrance o kibbutz. SAGE END. o visit the Beit Alasynagogue or the kibbutz, continue ahead; to reach Mt.Gilboa, turn L on the first street in the kibbutz

0.1

2: Beit Shean to Beit Alfa(Gilboa Region)


Physical Challenge: EasyTrail Difficulty: Easy

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*

Beit Alfa

*7.0

Park

haM

ayaanot

8.0

Ganh

aShl

osha($

)abrahampath.org

ransportation:

Beit Shean has bus service to surrounding areas and to Aula,

the broader regional transit hub. All the kibbutzim in the regionare served by less requent buses between Aula and Beit Shean.

Water:

Water is available requently along the stage.

Stage Notes:

Te extensive Roman ruins at Beit Shean (Roman Scythopolis)are well worth several hours to visit. Admission 40NIS/child24NIS/student 34NIS. 8am-5pm April-September; 8am-4pmOctober-March.

Park haMayaanot offers short walking and cycling trails aroundartificial pools, as well as a snack shop and rest area. Free.

Gan haShlosha is home to large natural pools ed by hot springs;a very popular destination, it is nearly always ull o peopleswimming and barbequing. Admission 40NIS/child 23NIS/student 34NIS. 8am-5pm April-September; 8am-4pm October-March.

Beit Ala Synagogue, with its elaborate mosaics, is another highpoint o the routes historical attractions. A short visit to view

the remains o the synagogue and an explanatory visit is easilyworth the short detour across Kibbutz Beit Ala. Admission22NIS/child 10NIS/student 19NIS. 8am-5pm April-September;8am-4pm October-March.


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WestBankBarrier

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NatureReserve

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Fo

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Cemetery

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Mt.Saul

Mt.Barkan M

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Mt.Yitzpor

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Str

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Harod

Str

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Jalama

Checkpoint

Yizreel

Junction

TelYizreel

(Jezreel)

Issachar

Junction

TelYosef

Junction

GilboaIris

Reserve

60

71

667

667

675

669

667

6666

0.0 0

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2.9

6.3

9.0

7.5

9.8

11.3

12.1

13.1

15.1

15.6

16

.4

FishPools

BeitAlfa

Sandala

GanNer

BeitAlfa

Synagogue

Kheftziba

Beit

haShita

EinHarod

Yael

Prazon

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A

rrana

DeirGhazala

Arrabuna

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MagenShaul

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0.0 BEGIN SAGE at the SW edge o Beit Ala, wherethe dirt road heads SE; head S and turn R with the

street just on the inside o the kibbutz

0.3

0.3 urn L to do a U-turn uphill on a dirt road 0.6

0.6 U-turn R, uphill, joining a green-blazed trail on arocky 4x4 track

0.8

1.5 Continue straight uphill on the green trail pasta 4x4 heading downhill to R (this can be used toaccess the kibbutz, but ofen is blocked by a lockedgate)

2.6

2.9 Curve L, with the green trail, past a blue-marked4x4 track heading R. Afer 50 meters, curve R ontoa black trail, entering a orest and leaving the greentrail (which heads L). Continue up the black trail,

past 13 switchbacks, to the top o the mountain

0.6

4.3 Continue uphill with the black trail past a green-marked trail heading L, downhill

0.1

6.2 urn L on the red trail that crosses the black trail;ollow it along the narrow ootpath uphill

2.5

6.3 urn R away rom the red trail, uphill toward theroad; turn R on the road (or continue across it to

visit the Mt. Barkan lookout area)

0.4

7.5 Pass a green trail heading L, with a picnic area justoff the road

0.1

9.0 urn L away rom Hwy. 667, onto a black-blazeddirt road, at signs or Mt. Giborim and Gan Ner.

Stay with this black-marked dirt road as it continuesW through the orest, past numerous dirt roads and4x4 tracks going in different directions

0.7

9.8 At the Y, take the R ork 1.5

10.6 Go L at the Y with another rocky 4x4 track 1.4

11.3 urn L with the black trail at the junction o dirtroads; continue downhill on a very rocky 4x4 track

0.7

12.1 Continue straight past a dirt road leading L to aparallel dirt road

0.2

13.1 Continue straight past where a 4x4 track joins romR at a lone carob tree

0.2

14.9 Cross a cattle guard and 4x4 track, then curve L

with the dirt road to walk along the outer encearound Gan Ner

0.6

15.8 Just afer the dirt road becomes paved, turn L withthe paved road toward Sandala, leaving the blacktrail. Option: to go to Gan Ner, go R with the blacktrail and ollow it to the town's access road

0.3

16.0 Continue into the village o Sandala, passing acemetery on L

0.4

16.1 urn R at the first intersection, then keep L 0.3

16.2 urn L at the next intersection, toward the mosque 0.3

3: Beit Alfa to Sandala(Gilboa Region)


Physical challenge: DifficultTrail Difficulty: Easy

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1km 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16.416

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*

Sandala

GanNe

r

(2.1km

off-ro

ute)

15.67.56.3

Mt.Ba

rkan

(495

m)

Mt. Gilboa

abrahampath.org

ransportation:

Beit Ala has regular (every 40 minutes) buses to Beit Shean andAula. Sandala and Gan Ner are served by bus 52 to Aula.

Water:

Water is not available on the top o Mt. Gilboa; bring enoughrom Beit Ala or the whole distance to Sandala or Gan Ner.

Stage Notes:

Beit Ala Synagogue, with its elaborate mosaics, is another highpoint o the routes historical attractions. A short visit to viewthe remains o the synagogue and an explanatory video is easilyworth the short detour across Kibbutz Beit Ala. Admission22NIS/child 10NIS/student 19NIS. 8am-5pm April-September;8am-4pm October-March.

During iris season (several weeks rom late March to earlyApril), a quick detour to the Iris Reserve adjacent to Mt. Barkan

is a must. One o several unique species o Iris in the region,each o which grows in a relatively small geographical area, theGilboa iris is a special sight or nature-lovers. Note that evenoutside o protected areas, it is illegal to pick wildflowers inIsrael; beore this law was enacted, several species were actuallyendangered by excessive picking!

Hikers confident in their navigational skills may wish to avoidthe 3km section along the highway and take an umarked route;i doing so, keep in mind that the Mt. Lapidim Nature Reserveis enced off and not passable. Tere is a marked mountain biketrail on the mountain which, i ollowed, will intersect severaltimes with the black-marked Abraham Path route.

No accommodations in Sandala; camp in the woods on themountain, or stay in a guest room in Gan Ner.

Off-trail is the site o the Biblical city o Jezreel, to which theprophet Elijah is said to have run rom Mt. Carmel (a distancegreater than a marathon). Te site is not curated or maintained,however. Nearby is Harod Spring, where Gideon took his armybeore a battle against the Midianites according to the book oJudges.

16.3 Continue past the mosque and take the second Rdownhill

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16.4 Reach a junction with two mini-markets. SAGE

END. o reach Hwy. 60, continue E out o town

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Accommodation:

Most kibbutzim are very open to hikers camping somewhere within the kibbutz; there is rarely an official

spot, but its common to ask a resident, who will almost invariably suggest a place to pitch a tent, and pointout the location o a water aucet or even restroom open to the public.

Wild camping is also allowed almost anywhere on the route; a ew places (such as the Iris reserve on Mt. Gil-boa and the haKibbutzim Stream reserve) are well-signed as nature reserves, but elsewhere camping is legal.Sokek Spring, a short distance rom the trail, is a popular camping spot.

Neve Eitan, Naveh Baemek Guesthouse: Double 300NIS weekday/400NIS weekend/600NIS holiday/150NISper additional person. 052-355-4159

Ganei Huga: Yurts 72NIS/person; includes bathroom access. Camping (with own tent) ree with park en-trance. Park includes hot springs and pools. 04-658-1111

Beit Shean Youth Hostel and Guest House: Single 360NIS, Double 550NIS, riple 750NIS, Quadruple950NIS. Includes breakast. 02-594-5644

Nir David, Iruach Kari guest rooms: From 620NIS. 053-793-1470

Beit Ala Guest Rooms: 052-970-6335; http://www.zimmeril.com/site.asp?site_id=2555

Ein Harod, Country Suites and Guesthouse: From 470NIS. 04-648-6083

Gan Ner, Villa Billy guest rooms: From 650NIS. 050-530-3888

Te Gilboa region takes its name rom the mountain that looms over it, but much o it is situated in the envi-rons o Beit Shean, in section o the Jezreel Valley known as the Valley o Springs. Water rom the mountainaquier emerges rom the slopes o the Gilboa into this ertile area, which is now mostly agricultural. Fromancient times, it was also a natural thoroughare across the Jordan Valley; the gentle upward slope o the Jez-reel Valley allowed much easier passage to the coast than did the steep slopes o the mountains urther south.As such, it was the site o many an ancient battle - the Bible is filled with tales o warring armies here, mostnotably those o King Saul when he and his son Jonathan perished below the mountain.

Hikers today find much quieter surroundings, with flowing streams, springs, palm and eucalyptus groves,and a towering mountain commanding views o the area. During all and spring, birds migrating betweenArica and northern Europe come through the Jordan Valley in droves, and every body o water (includingthe open fish ponds) becomes a birdwatchers paradise. Above the valley in the pine woods o Mt. Gilboa, therare and beautiul Gilboa Iris blooms or a ew weeks in March and April; the Abraham Path passes immedi-

ately next to the reserve where it grows most densely.

Te Gilboa region is amenable to guesthouse-to-guesthouse hiking or unsupported backpacking; plenty ozimmerim (guest rooms) are on offer in the kibbutzim along the trail and nearly the whole region is open towild camping. Grocery shopping and water stops on every day o the trail mean hikers will not have to carrymuch in the way o supplies.


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Transportation to the Gilboa region:

Aula is the most accessible public transportation hub in the Gilboa Region. From Aula, travelers can easilyreach any o the sites along the Gilboa route that are serviced by bus. o reach Aula rom the airport, takethe train north to the Lev Hamiratz station in Haia or 47 NIS. Get off the train, exit the mall, and cross theroad to the bus station. ake bus 301 to the Aula Central Bus Station or about 18 NIS.

Beit Shean also has buses to major destinations (Aula, iberias, and other points indirectly); these run lessrequently than buses rom Aula.

Water and Supplies:

Water is readily available along nearly all o the Gilboa region; lack o supply points on or near the trail is notan issue, but as always in the Middle East, hikers should carry plenty o water with them.

Te only stage without multiple water points near the trail is stage 3, which crosses Mt. Gilboa. On top o themountain there are no towns or other water sources; hikers should bring enough water rom Beit Ala or theentire 16km hike to Sandala or Gan Ner.Beit Shean has supermarkets, while Maoz Haim, Beit Ala, and Sandala have smaller markets. Ganei Hugaand Gan haShlosha have snack shops.

Documents

Abraham Path-Gilboa Atlas v1.0