The Springs Trail (known in Hebrew as “Shvil Hamaayanot”) is one of the most popular trails in the Jerusalem mountains, and rightly so. It combines everything you would want to see on a trail, with a moderate and pleasant descent in a shaded pine forest, and no less than six small springs and wading pools along it. In addition, it can be traveled all year round, and it is possible to hike it in a circular or direct route.
The Springs Trail (Shvil Hamaayanot)
Duration: one day
Distance and level of difficulty: easy, about 3 km
When to travel: All year round.
Trail Description
The Springs Trail starts from the parking lot in front of the Horbat Saadim Reserve, near the cedar plot planted by the Jewish National Fund. We will start moving along the trail marked with a green marker, on top of ancient agricultural terraces, which were built on the slopes of the mountain to “flatten” the land for crops. On the sides of the road, we can see some common oak trees, common carob trees and olive trees, and of course – Jerusalem pine.
A short walk of about half a kilometer will lead us to Ein Aminadav – two springs that spring about 150 meters apart. The source is to the right of the path, in the direction of walking, but one tunnel leads the water to a collection pool to the left of the trail. Most days of the year the pools are full of pleasant water.
Ein Uzi
We will continue with the trail for another half kilometer and reach two more springs, Ein Uzi, a pair of springs that flow side by side at the edge of the forest and are named after the Arab name of the place, Ein Abu-Ghazi. One of the springs spring all year round and drains its water into a pool deep enough for immersion of the whole body filled with cool and refreshing water. Around the pool, plants have developed over the years that characterize riverbanks such as reeds and raspberries.
By the way, for those who want to get to the spring only, access with a vehicle to the spring area is convenient, but it is important to emphasize – from the parking spot to the water there is a not so easy climb of a few minutes that is not suitable for everyone. There are many shaded spots around the spring, but the spring itself is not shaded, so be sure to drink a lot and be sun smart.
Ein Tamar
In the past, the trail would have continued from here in the direction of Even Sapir, and the remains of the old trail can be seen in the area. Since the descent is steep and dangerous, it was canceled, and the trail now continues east about 250 meters in the direction of Ein Tamar. This is a nice little spring dedicated to the memory of Tamar Natan, who was killed in a car accident while on a trip to South America when she was 21 years old.
The spring springs into a pool from the Byzantine period. Sharp-eyed hikers will be able to spot in one of the sides of the pool small round spaces carved into it, alongside parts of the original plaster that still cover the sides of the pool. According to theories, the pond was used in the Byzantine period to grow fish, and the small cavities were designed to spawn their eggs. It is recommended to paddle your feet (there is nothing to worry about, the fish have not been there for a long time), and rest in the shade of the oak trees.
We will continue to walk with the trail marked with a green trail marker that continues on its way east on the spur. On our way, we can see several more dry springs, with similar architecture to others – spring and a collection pool. After a walk of about a kilometer, we will connect to a dirt road, from which we can turn left and connect to the road. This is a point where you can finish the route and reconnect to your vehicle.
Ein Handek
On the other hand, for those who have more energy, we highly recommend continuing with the green trail, crossing the road, and continuing down the creek towards Ein Handek, one of the most famous springs in the Jerusalem mountains.
The spring originates at the beginning of a tunnel, and its waters flow through a system of rock-hewn tubes that feed an extensive irrigation system in Wadi Yosef, east of Moshav Even Sapir. The length of the long tube is about 60 meters and it is full of water all year round up to waist height.
The name of the spring “Ein Handek” is a slight change from its Arabic name “Ein al-Khandek”, which means “spring of digging”. Ein Handak is also located on section 24 of the Israel National Trail and is its connection point with the Jerusalem Trail. Employees of the nearby Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital have adopted the place, and they take care of its cleanliness and the safety of its visitors.
And that’s it, it’s the end of the springs trail / Shvil Hamaayanot. From here you can return to the car or take a tour of the area and continue north down the creek, until the ruins of Saadim, followed by an active campsite created by the JNF about three hundred meters further.
Springs Trail: Map
In terms of arrival, here is the location of the trail in Google Maps:
For orientation during the day of the hike itself, you can download the trail map in pdf (the map is downloaded directly from the Jewish National Fund website).