THE HIKE:

​

• By the entrance to Ein Lavan, continue on the jeep trail, which has blue and Schvil Yisrael-markings, in the direction away from Jerusalem.  

 

• After about 35-minute's walking, you will come to a fork. Keep to the right on the continuation of the blue-marked trail (and not the path on the left that goes down into the valley).

 

• Soon you will come to another fork. Go to the right (and not the paved road on the left leading down the valley). Very shortly, this black-marked trail becomes paved. As you walk along, you will see newly planted trees on the terraces above you on your right.

 

• Just beyond where the paved black-marked road curves sharply to the right, take the jeep trail on your left in the direction of Mayan Itamar. As you proceed along, you will see that it has blue markings.

  

• Shortly, you will come to a fork. Turn to the left and after about a minute you will see the pool of Mayan Itamar on your right. 

 

This pool is named after Itamar Doron who was murdered in this area. It is a small pool, but the running water is cool and clear and provides a wonderfully refreshing dip, especially on a hot day. Its depth is to a bit below an adult’s waist. The pool is not difficult to enter or exit.

 

• From Mayan Itamar, head back to the intersection. At this stage, you can return the way you came, although making a turn-off to Ein Lavan. Worthwhile is to take the blue-marked footpath on your left up the hill. This is a delightful trail, although it does involve a bit of easy climbing over rocks. There are pools close to the trail, but they are usually empty of water.

 

You are now walking on land that formerly belonged to the Arab village of al-Walaja, and you are close to the ruins of the village. It was captured by the Harel Brigade during the War of Independence. It had been defended by the Egyptian Moslem Brotherhood, the Arab Liberation Army and a local militia. Thousands of villagers fled. After the war, some of the villagers settled on land they owned on the other side of the valley, which was now on the other side of the armistice line. After the Six Day War, the villagers again found themselves under Israeli control. Part of their new village was now included within the Jerusalem city boundaries, although sealed off by the separation barrier. This, and the extension of the Jerusalem Park system involved them in litigation, which was adjudicated by Israel’s Supreme Court. They were unsuccessful in their appeal. 

 

• Towards the top of the footpath, and not far from the main road, the footpath comes to a jeep trail. Turn right, and this trail will bring you to a paved road that goes down the hill. 

 

• Turn right along this black-marked road. Occasional vehicles use this single-lane road, so walk along it carefully listening for traffic. This road will lead you to the paved road which you originally walked along close to the turn off to Mayan Itamar. Turn left along this black-marked paved road. Except for a very small section, you will now be hiking on paved roads.

 

• At the first fork continue ahead (and not to the right on the paved road down the valley).

 

• Very soon there is another fork. Take the left-hand branch to Ein Lavan, which is a blue-marked paved road. This road runs parallel to the jeep trail on which you started this hike, but a level higher. It is blocked to vehicles, so you have the road to yourself.

 

• Pass around the green gate. Shortly, at the yellow signpost, take the steps and concrete path to the upper pool of Ein Lavan. This pool is appropriate for young children. A level down is a deeper pool. 

 

• Take the steps down to the entrance to Ein Lavan to where you began this hike.

 

At this point, you may wish to visit the spring of Ein Haniya. It is about a 20-minute walk each way. On the other side of the road from the steps up to Ein Lavan you will see a stepped footpath that goes down the valley. When it reaches the railway track it goes underneath this via a short tunnel. After emerging from the tunnel turn right, and the footpath will lead you after some distance to route 385. Cross this road to the pool. .