Ein Heshek and Ein Maimon are two natural springs that spring from Wadi al-Katsav, a small and beautiful river channel on the slopes of the Golan Heights, a little east of Kibbutz Gonen.
The two springs can be combined into one hiking trail in the Nahal Hemdal Reserve, especially in the spring. At other times of the year, we would recommend going directly to the springs.
The first spring, Ein Hashek (sometimes also called “Ein Gonen”), is about one kilometer from the route’s starting point, and access to it involves only a slight ascent. The other, Ein Maimon, is located about a kilometer further from Ein Heshek.
The route is completely exposed to the sun, which makes walking on foot a little less pleasant on hot days – but getting right up to the two springs is relatively easy with an SUV. This too can be a pleasant experience – the dirt road leading to the springs overlooks the stunning view of the Hula Valley.
Ein Heshek
The first of the two springs is officially called Ein Gonen, but has earned the common nickname “Ein Heshek” (in Hebrew: “Desire”), probably due to its relatively secluded – and some would say romantic – location, and perhaps because of its cool water, which makes one desire to jump in.
The spring water fills a small but deep pool, surrounded by dense vegetation of reeds and raspberries. This is a refreshing lovely corner suitable for couples, families, or friends, especially on hot summer days.
The access to the route is very close to the Gonen junction, at the first large bend of Road 959 that goes up to the Golan (about 200 meters from the Gonen junction), there is a parking lot. Here you can park your vehicle and continue on foot along the path marked with a blue trail marker. After a walk of about 600 meters, you reach a fork in the road and turn right onto the lower road (which is not marked in color) until you reach the creek channel. From there, turn left and continue uphill along the gorge until you reach the spring.
After spending time in the spring, you can return to the car the same way, or continue another kilometer further to Ein Maimon.
Ein Maimon
If we choose to continue to Ein Maimon, we will continue back to the main road (with the trail marked in blue) and continue with it for about 700 meters, with a moderate ascent and exposure to the sun (not particularly recommended in summer). At this point, the marked road will turn right, but we will turn left onto a road shaded by eucalyptus and fig trees. We will continue for about a hundred meters until we pass a gate in a cattle fence, after which we will turn right and ascend parallel to the water flowing in the channel to the spring.
Upon reaching Ein Maimon we will find is a shallow pool embedded in natural vegetation and exposed to the sun, alongside corners shaded by eucalyptus and other trees. The pool was erected in memory of a member of Kibbutz HaMa’apil, the late soldier Tzachi Kreips, who was killed during the Second Lebanon War.
You can continue with the path marked in blue towards Nahal Hemdal for a route of another three hours that includes a steep crossing of the river channel (in the water) and ends when you reach road 918, about 3 km south of Gonen Junction.
Nahal Hemdal is a seasonal stream about 6 km long, northwest of the Golan Heights, south of Gonen. The stream eventually flows into the Jordan through a drainage canal.
Tips and Warnings
Part of the walk to the springs includes a route exposed to the sun. You should plan accordingly, with proper clothing, appropriate shoes, and plenty of drinking water.
Given its popularity, the route may be crowded on Saturdays, holidays, and days off. Plan accordingly and try to arrive early.
As befits a route in the Golan Heights, there are also old minefields near the Nahal Hemdal Reserve. In addition, Ein Maimon is on the edge of a military training area – so do not deviate from the marked trails, and if you plan to make a long stay in the area, it is advisable to coordinate it with the IDF.