HIKE TO TZUBA SPRING AND THE CRUSADER RUINS OF BELMONT

This scenic hike visits the Tzuba Spring and the ruins of the Crusader fortress of Belmont on Tel Tzuba.

This hike is included in the must-have, best-selling guide for exploring in and around Jerusalem

"In and Around Jerusalem for Everyone - The Best Walks, Hikes and Outdoor Pools"

It contains essays, maps, photos, helpful information, and much more.

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Directions and parking: Enter "Tzova" into Waze. Enter the kibbutz, follow the sign to the kibbutz hotel, and continue past the hotel until you come to parking lots by the factory.

Starting point: Parking lot for the OSG glass factory in Kibbutz Tzova.

Time: About 2 hours

Distance: 2.75 Km

Type of hike: Circular

Difficulty: An easy hike on paved roads and smooth dirt trails. Encircling the tel is minimally difficult.

Public transport: Enter "Tzova" into Moovit. A bus goes directly to the kibbutz from Binyanei Ha'umah in Jerusalem. More frequent buses from Binyanei .משלט פלמ׳׳ח Ha'umah involve a 30-minute or so walk from the bus stop

Ein Tzuba

THE HIKE:

From the intersection take the paved road to the right. (The paved road ahead of you leads uphill directly to the tel and you will be returning on this road). At the next intersection take the jeep trail on the left.

After about 15-20 minutes (about 1 Km), you will see a sign on the right indicating the direction to Ein Tzova . Just before and after the sign are footpaths to the spring.

• Walk down the steps to the pool, passing by a small picnic area with benches. The pool is by a shaded structure with stone benches and close to a stone building. There is flowing water in the pool even in the summer, but the water is only deep enough to get your feet wet.

Return to the jeep trail and turn right. Shortly, you will come to a rough footpath on your left with green markings. Take this path up the hill.

After passing a parking area, turn left onto the paved road and this will take you to the ruins of Belmont.

At the top of the road, climb up the stone steps to Tel Tzova . At the fork by a signpost to Tel Tzova take the path on the left marked in blue that encircles the castle ruins. This path is minimally difficult. However, this part of the walk can be made easier by turning to the right rather than to the left and turning back when the going gets more difficult.

This fortress was built by a Crusader knight, and later purchased by the Crusader Hospitaller order in 1168 and completely rebuilt. It was destroyed by Saladin when he brought the Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem to an end. However, much of the destruction you see dates from 1834 when the Egyptian rulers of the area shelled rebellious villagers from nearby Abu Gosh who had taken up positions here.

From the path around the tel there are wonderful views in all directions - including of Kibbutz Tzova, the Arab village of Ein Nakuba, and the Castel. You can also appreciate that the castle has a commanding view over Route 1, the former route of the Crusader road to Jerusalem.

From the intersection with the paths around the fortress, walk ahead on the footpath to the paved road. This will lead you to the parking lot by the glass factory and your car.

This hike is included in our book "In and Around Jerusalem for Everyone. The Best Walks, Hikes and Outdoor Swimming" and this chapter has an engaging essay, more explanations about t he spring and fortress, a map, photos, and nearby places of interest..