The Trail

Hiking the Jerusalem Trail (JT) is a unique experience. Your 40 kilometer hike will take you to historic and archaeological sites, you will meet fascinating people of all religions, and you will visit one of the most exciting cities in the world. Since there are so many sites on or near the JT it is impossible to describe them all in detail, so I have decided to limit them to one or two lines. Please visit www.jerusalemp3.com to download free audio tours to your mp3 player. Visit the Jerusalem city website for information about attractions, free guided tours, accommodations and events. www.jerusalem.muni.il. For English click ENG at the top left corner.

The JT is clearly marked outside the city. Blue trail markers are clear and many wooden posts are placed along the trail. Within the city some trail markers are visible when you hike in a clockwise direction but they are somewhat difficult to discern if you are going the other way. Between the Hebrew University on (Har Hatzofim) and Giv'at Hatahmoshet trail markers are sparse, and the trail has not yet been marked from Giv'at Hatahmoshet to the Chords Bridge at the exit to the city.

We have divided the trail into two days for purposes of description, but we strongly advise you to extend your JT hike and take the time to visit the many interesting sites along the way.

From Ein Hindak to Har Hatzofim (Mount Scopus) – 20 km Maps: 24; 71-75. You can buy water all along the trail from the entrance to .

850

800 Mt. Herzel, 820

750

700 Kenesset, 800 650 , 685 600 Mary's Well

550

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10.8 11.4 12.0 12.6 13.2 13.8 14.4 15.0 15.6 16.2 16.8 17.4 18.0 18.6 19.2 19.8 10.2 Start the day at the entrance to Even Sapir (0.0, 615). A steep descent down a short, unmarked path will bring you to Ein Hindak (0.2, 570). At the fork in the path take the blue trail to the north. Outside of Jerusalem the JT is indicated with blue trail markers. The symbol of Jerusalem - a blue and gold sign with the emblem of a lion – accompanies you within the city and sometimes outside as well. In built up areas the city trail is indicated by blue and gold markers. Follow the dirt track. This was the ancient Roman road leading from Ein Hindak. You will see a road that joins up on the right, from the direction of Hadassah (580, 0.5). As you continue walking and pass through an old gate, the path climbs gently and then descends slightly. On your left you will see a building above a spring, and some 200 meters further, a small building over another spring above you to your right. The path climbs moderately to the right and becomes a pedestrian path (580, 1.3). It continues to climb and then levels out. Before you get to route 396 there are steps to climb before you reach route 396. Climb over the security railing and take care as you cross the road. On the other side is a gate and a signpost pointing to Hadassah and Jerusalem (600, 1.4). The red-green markers of the Hadassah trail can sometimes be seen on signs placed in the ground.

Keep walking north on the dirt track as it curves east. Turn right at the fork, following the moderate upward gradient. A further gentle climb brings you to another fork (610, 1.8) where you will find a JT sign for those ascending to Ein Kerem and for those descending to Ein Hindak, and a sign for the Hadassah trail. Keep going east at the fork. Hadassah medical center is now clearly visible above you. You will pass a picnic area, a high voltage pylon, and a Hadassah trail sign (point no. 13). Stop here to enjoy the magnificent vista and an unusual view of the Kastel (600, 2.1), then continue straight before turning right for a steep but short climb. The Kastel (castle) is a stronghold dated back to the crusaders and was built to protect the road to Jerusalem. In April 1948 fierce battles were held there before the Israeli armed forces took control over the place. Follow the path as it veers left between olive trees and Jerusalem pines. You will cross an avenue of cypresses. Between the trees on your right you can see a wooden sign indicating the entrance to the Hadassah trail (635, 2.4). Keep going east. A moderately steep but very short climb on a concrete road leads to a dirt path. Continue east. As you pass the boundary wall of the convent of the Rosary Sisters you will have a nice view of Ein Kerem. When you reach Miriam’s Well (640, 2.9) turn left onto Hama’ayan Street and left again on Ein Kerem Street (640, 3.1), climbing gradually until you reach Kastel Square (650, 3.3). A blue and gold marker can be seen on the wall on the left side of Ein Kerem Street, opposite the parking lot.

Cross to the other side of Ein Kerem Street, go up Hatzelaphim Street (medium gradient), and pass the Church of St. John the Baptist. Keep going east on Shvil Hatzukim Street until you come to a dirt road (670, 3.7) where you will see another blue marker. Keep going west, climbing gradually. Pass an entrance (680, 4.1) and continue east on the Shvil Hatzukim dirt road. The path veers to the left and climbs steeply through a grove. Go up the wooden stairs until you reach Hazichron Street, the road leading west towards Yad Vashem. Now turn right and east until you arrive at Holland Square and Herzl Street (820, 5.3). Water and toilets are available at the entrance to Mt. Herzl.

Turn left on Herzl Street and walk down the road to Bet Yad Sarah. Keep going straight and note the JT trail markers on the fence outside buildings 109 and 118. When you reach Kikar Denya (Denmark Square) (760, 7.1) turn right and cross Herzl Boulevard in the direction of Ariel Tamas Street (you will see a marker on the steps). After passing the monument to the fallen fighters of the Bet Hakerem neighborhood you will come to Hechalutz Street. Turn right at the Bet Hakerem council building and after 20 meters turn left into Haviva Reich Street. Continue straight on Hagai Street until you come to a public park (760, 7.1). Go through the park and walk across the pedestrian bridge straddling the Begin Expressway. Turn left at the end of the bridge, pass the Jerusalem Academy High School for Music and Dance and continue in the direction of the parking lot (toilets are available). Turn right and immediately left to the exit road from Givat Ram.

You will now come to Kaplan Street, opposite the Bank of and Kiryat Hamemshala (the government complex) (780, 7.7). Turn right and continue on Ruppin Street until you reach the intersection (770, 8.5). Now turn left on Kaplan Street, go up to the area, and turn right at the first intersection. Follow the path as it curves left into the Rose Garden (790, 8.9). Take the time to visit the Menora located 50 meters above the road. From this vantage point you have an excellent view of the Knesset. (Some 20 meters further there are public facilities). Go back to the entrance of the Rose Garden, climb the steps and turn right on the asphalt path winding to the left. From this vantage point you can see both the Knesset and the Supreme Court. The layout is no accident, it was deliberately planned to symbolize the close connection between parliament and the court of justice. Keep going in the direction of the Supreme Court and then turn right and go back in the direction of the Knesset (toilets are available on your left, next to the fence of the Supreme Court). After descending approximately 100 meters turn right. The Knesset guards’ station is located some 50 meters further (800, 9.3). Turn left and walk downhill in the direction of the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel’s bird watching station. Here you will find a bird feeding station where wintering birds are ringed.

Continue walking down the hill, turn left in the direction of Sacher Park, and then right. Keep going straight until you reach the tunnel under Ruppin Street (775, 10.0). Cross at the tunnel and turn left at the tunnel beneath Haim Hazaz Street (770, 10.2). At the exit turn right to the sidewalk and after 20 meters turn sharply right. Another 200 meters will bring you to a beautiful view of the Valley of the Cross on your right. Now go up to your right until you reach Sa’adia Gaon Street and at the intersection with Metudela Street continue left on Sa’adia Gaon Street. The street name changes to Alfasi Street. Look at building no. 25. Prime Minister Menachem Begin and his wife Aliza lived here in the 1940s, in the basement apartment at the bottom of the path leading to the house. Continue on Alfasi Street. Some 100 meters further you will see the tomb of Jason, a High Priest in the time of the Second Temple, during the Hellenist (Greek) period (800, 11.3). Turn right and continue on Radak Street, cross Aza Street and keep walking until you reach a parking lot, then turn right and walk up the road to the President's Residence (800, 12.0). Turn left at Shneourson Street and after 100 meters turn left again onto Chopin Street. On your right on Palmach Street in the Islamic Art museum you will find the famous David Lionel Salomons collection of Breguet watches. The most important watch is the one which was designed for Marie Antoinette who commissioned the watch that was to contain every watch function known at that time. She never lived to see the watch as it was completed 34 years after she had been executed. The famous watch collection was stolen in 1983 by Na'aman Diller. Only 25 years later and after his death the watches were found and returned to the museum. The museum is open on: Sun, Mon, Wed. 10:00- 15:00; Tue, Thu 10:00-19:00; Fri 10:00-14:00 Sat 10:00-16:00. http://www.islamicart.co.il/en/

Continue Passing the Jerusalem Theater and continuing straight to Dubnow Street. When you come to a grove of pines – Gan Lior – continue to your right (there are no markers) onto a dirt path. Follow the path as it descends to Gedalia Alon Street, near the Hartman Institute. Turn left and continue to Dor Dor Vedorshav Street, where you will see a brown sign indicating that you have reached the Nature Museum. Water and toilets are available here.

Continue to Graetz Street (760, 13.1) and turn right, and make a left turn at Emek Refaim Street. Keep walking until you reach Mendes France Square (760, 13.1) by the gas station (water and toilets). Cross at the intersection near the Scottish Church and Hotel, go down S.A. Nachon Street, pass by the Begin Heritage Center and cross the B’nai B’rith Bridge that spans Hebron Road (740, 13.9). The blue trail markers start after the bridge. Turn right before you get to the Jerusalem Cinematheque and begin your descent into the Hinnom Valley. When you reach the road turn right and walk uphill briefly, turn left onto a dirt path, and immediately right on the asphalt pedestrian path. Continue walking straight until the path veers to the left and descends steeply to some steps. At the bottom of the steps the road drops at a steep gradient to the village of Silwan (680, 14.9). turn left at the brown sign that points the way to Ir David (David’s City). Continue another 300 meters along Hashiloach Street and after the road turns left (685, 15.1) a steep climb (to the left) will bring you to Ir David (685, 15.1). If you want to continue on to the and the Kotel you should turn left at the rise.

Walk through the village along Hashiloach Street until the paved road turns into a dirt road (690, 15.5). Markers can be seen on the electricity poles. The road climbs moderately until you enter the area of Har Hazeitim (Mt. of Olives) cemetery. The walls of the Old City tower over you on your left. Turn right, and you will see the grave of Zekharya ben Yehoyada, with the grave of Absalom immediately beyond (700, 15.8). Climb the steps towards Jericho Road. There are public toilets on the way. When you reach Jericho Road (720, 16.0) the Russian Church of Mary Magdalene with its gleaming golden onion-shaped domes will be on your right while the Old City is on your left. Turn left and follow the path down in front of the Church of Gethsemane. Cross the street and turn right. A moderate climb will bring you to Al Mansuria Street (710, 16.3). Public toilets are located behind the Church of Gethsemane on the left. There is no pavement at the side of the road, so be careful.

Continue walking uphill until you reach a small parking lot and then turn left (730, 16.5). Stay on the paved path until you come to the entrance to Hyde Park, or to give it its full name, Orson Hyde Park (735, 16.7). Turn left before the entrance and go down the large stone steps until you come to the end of the wall surrounding the park (715, 16.9). Turn right and go down the path through a grove of olive trees to reach Nahal Kidron (the Kidron stream). At the stream turn right onto a dirt road (700, 17.2) and follow the path up in a northerly direction until it brings you to a bus stop on Shmuel ben Adiya Street (730, 17.7). Keep walking for 50 meters and turn left to the parking lot beneath Ibrahimieh College. At the end of the parking lot you will enter Emek Tzurim National Park (735, 17.9). Walk up a gentle incline and on your right you will see the Temple Mount Sifting Project, which was established to salvage antiquities from the Temple Mount (750, 18.3). After a brief explanation you can spend two hours taking part in this exciting project, but make sure to reserve places in advance by calling *6033.

Continue walking uphill. The path becomes steeper as you approach the parking lot in Hadassah Lempel Street (815, 18.7), with its stunning view of the city. Turn left and after 50 meters turn right. You are now at the T-junction of Martin Buber Street, and a JT marker can be seen on the low wall. Turn left and another 100 meters will bring you to the Halbert Observation Plaza (820, 18.9), at the intersection of Benjamin Mazar Street. The Judean Desert lies spread out before you, and on a clear day the Jordan Valley is visible as well. Return to the intersection and descend westwards on Benjamin Mazar Street until you come to the Glick Observation Point (800, 19.7) with its amazing vista of both the Old City and the modern city. Far in the distance you can also see Herodion. Keep walking downhill until you come to the main entrance of the Hebrew University (785, 20.0).

From Har Hatzofim (Mount Scopus) to Sataf – 21 km Maps: 75-76. 24 You can buy water all along the trail until you come to the Jerusalem exit.

850 800 Ein Heret, 670 750 , 740 700 650 600 Shuk Mahane Yehuda, 820 550 500

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Leave the Hebrew University at Har Hatzofim by the main gate (795, 0.0). Walk down Shomrei Hahar Street and when you reach the intersection (780, 0.1) continue down Shayeret Har Hatzofim Street until you come to the intersection with Hauniversita Haivrit Street (750, 0.7). Turn right (gentle incline), and after 100 meters turn left into Aharon Katzir Street (755, 0.8). Turn right at the traffic circle, walk up Clermont-Ganneau Street (755, 0.9), cross Shechem Road(785, 1.3) and you will come to Haim Bar Lev Street. The National Police Headquarters can be seen on your right (790, 1.4). Cross the street and continue up Shragai Street (Shlomo Zalman) for 250 meters until you come to the entrance to Givat Hatachmoshet (800, 1.6). Public toilets are located at the far side of the grove of trees, next to the police station. After your visit to Givat Hatachmoshet retrace your steps and walk back down Shragai Street to the intersection with Bar Lev Street (790, 1.8). Now turn right and walk downhill on Bar Lev Street. As of February 2009 there were no trail markers from this point to the city exit near the Chords Bridge.

Cross the road at the Shimon Hatzadik Street intersection (760, 2.4) and continue downhill to Van Paassen Street (740, 2.8). Continue up the hill (moderate gradient) until you come to the Shivtei Israel Street intersection (790, 3.1). The building on the right just before the intersection, known as Mandelbaum Gate, functioned as the checkpoint between Israel and the Kingdom of Jordan up until the Six Day War. Turn right into Shivtei Israel Street and continue walking until you reach the neighborhood of . As you pass the Hanevi’im Street intersection the Ministry of Education can be seen on your right (790, 3.5). Keep walking on Shivtei Israel Street and cross Heleni Hamalka Street. You will pass St. Paul’s Church on your left (780, 3.8). Continue walking until you come to Kikar Safra (Safra Square) and the Yafo Road intersection (760, 4.0). Turn right onto Yafo Road, continue to Kikar Zion (Zion Square) (800, 4.5), and cross at the pedestrian mall. Turn left onto Yoel Moshe Solomon Street, go all the way down to Hillel Street (780, 4.8), turn right and walk up the road past the Italian synagogue (800, 5.0). At the King George intersection stands Bet Frumin, the building that housed Israel's Knesset until 1966 (820, 5.2). Continue straight on Shmuel Hanagid Street and turn right (825, 5.3) at the downward slope where it becomes Eliash Street. At the corner of Agrippas Street (815, 5.6) turn left and walk uphill in the direction of Shuk Mahane Yehuda, the outdoor market (825, 5.9). The colorful and vibrant market on your right is well worth a visit. Keep walking down Agrippas Street, which becomes Shmuel Baruch Street, until you come to Shaar Street (800, 6.3). Turn right, go up the hill to Binyanei HaOoma (the Jerusalem International Convention Center) and then walk down to the Chords Bridge at the entrance to the city (780, 6.6).

Turn right after the bridge into Mei Naftoach Street behind the gas station (780, 6.8). The road curves right into a closed courtyard. Keep left on the pedestrian walkway. This brings you to the bridge over the Begin Expressway. Get off the bridge opposite the parking lot and turn left (750, 7.1). From this point on you will see blue markers. Turn right after 50 meters and follow the road downhill until the left turn into Lifta (740, 7.3). Continue down the steep path in the direction of the abandoned village. Pass by a pool and follow the path that winds between the derelict houses and down a narrow wadi until you leave the village (640, 7.6), continue on a fairly level path that becomes steep at times, and descend a narrow dirt path (605, 8.5). Turn right and after 200 meters make a U turn onto a wide dirt road (605, 8.7). Continue descending on this road until you reach the bridge spanning Nahal Sorek.

A wooden post with a JT marker points the way to Sataf (600, 9.1). Turn right onto a winding paved road that climbs steeply until it comes to a high voltage pylon. Behind a fence are the arteries of Route 1 (635, 9.6). Keep climbing steeply. The red marked dirt path from Ramot links up here on the right (640, 10.0). Note the outstanding view of the Chords Bridge at the entrance to Jerusalem. Continue descending moderately through a thicket of pines until you come to Tur Sinai, an organic plant farm. The blue marked path ascends slightly along the fence, past the entrance (645, 10.6) and around its northern perimeter. Continue your moderate descent on the western side of the farm along an avenue of cypresses and sabras (prickly pear bushes) until you come to the juncture of several dirt roads at Nahal Shmuel (610, 10.8). On your right you will see an abandoned structure belonging to the Electric Company. Continue uphill due west on the dirt track for a few meters and then turn sharp left onto the pedestrian path. The path descends to the right and then veers left to Nahal Sorek. Cross the stream twice and continue west in the direction of Einot Telem National Park. To the south you can see the tall bridges of Route 1, and the Har Menuhot cemetery looms overhead.

Cross Nahal Luz next to the pumping station and you will arrive at Einot Telem (580, 12.5), with its three springs. Although the water storage pool has been repaired it contains very little water. The remnants of a former settlement can be seen, as well as the ruins of Beit Telma, a settlement that was established in 1906. The two concrete structures were intended as soap and oil factories but the site was abandoned in 1929. Follow the dirt road westward above Emek Ha’arazim and you will come to the course of Nahal Halilim, south of Ein Hadom spring. On the right a green marked path climbs to Mevasseret Zion (585, 13.0). A grove of young cedars has been planted at the junction as part of a venture to turn Emek Ha’arazim into the capital’s metropolitan park. Follow the blue marked path westward. Cross the road near the Electric Company’s transformer station at the entrance to (585, 13.0). The path turns into a dirt road. Continue walking until you come to the lower spring of Ein Arza and the beautiful pool under the fig tree. Turn left and follow the narrow path through a thicket of raspberry bushes. Now turn right and cross the channel of Nahal Sorek (this can be difficult if the river is flowing or muddy so be careful). Follow the dirt road until you reach Route 1 (580, 14.0). Walk uphill alongside the pumping installation, keep going on the metal bridge and cross under the road following the conduit. Go down the southern side of the road that leads to Jerusalem, turn right, and get onto the dirt road. Turn left and walk through a pine grove. Continue straight at the junction (approximately 50 meters to the right of the path you will see a ruined building).

You will pass another ruined building on the left. (580, 14.6). Stay on the blue marked track until it turns right (580, 15.1). Walk uphill (gentle gradient) along a fence, then turn left. The gradient becomes steeper and the path twists and turns. Soon you will come to the first houses of Maoz Zion. The blue marked path ends here (700, 16.3). Turn left on the black marked dirt path (the Mevasseret perimeter road) and continue uphill beneath the houses of Maoz Zion. The dirt path turns into a paved road. The black marked track ends at the top of the slope. Now you can see JT markings on the left, next to the green marked track to Sataf (715, 17.0). You are now near a grove of trees with a pool and a spring, but they were both dry as of January 2009. Keep walking until you come to a fork in the dirt road (680, 17.8). The black marked track climbs to Har Heret (Mount Heret) but you should stay on the green marked trail that encircles Har Heret from the east. As you come to the end of the olive grove (670, 18.6) you will have a clear view of Hadassah from the east, situated on the mountain on the other side of Nahal Ein Kerem. Walk uphill (moderate gradient) and when you reach the top (680, 19.8) and start to go down the descent levels out. When the green marked trail veers to the right and climbs to Har Heret (670, 20.0) you should stay with the blue marked trail. Keep going along the green dirt track and turn right to get onto the blue trail (670, 20.5). Ascend the blue trail above route 395 until you come to the Sataf junction (685, 20.8). The Jerusalem Trail ends here. To get back on the road to Jerusalem cross the road on the south side, turn left on the blue trail and 100 meters further on you will come to the Israel Trail. If you want to go north turn right on the green marked trail. Turn left if you want to go south.