Trip 12: Banana Beach חוף הצוק to Kibutz Shfaim - 9 km

March 15, 2020

Present:  Andy & Chaya Rifka Katz, Talya Shaw, Leora, Bruria, Cheftzi, Netanel (7 people)

Another glorious day on the Shvil in March.  It was so interesting to do this section of the shvil one week after having done the Latrun - Mesilat Tzion Area.  Where one week ago we were in the mountainous foothills of the Judean Hills, this week we were in the very different landscape of the shore.  The area is flat and there are no hills and fewer pines.  

This section is mainly along the shoreline.  At times we were on a boardwalk, at times on the beach because the boardwalk is not uninterrupted.  It was interesting to pass the various different beaches between North Tel Aviv to Herzliya.  Once we left the beach and climbed up to Hertzeliya, there is a lovely section through a small village and the last 2 km are through a wonderful field of wildflowers and wheat on an ample dirt path.  

What is interesting about this field is that it is interspersed with unexpected large sculptures that complement the landscape. 

All along the beach, there are bathrooms and cold water coolers.  Early on you pass through the Herzliya Marina which is picturesque and holds restaurants and cafes.  In this section, one water bottle can be refilled again and again.

We started this section at around 1 pm and finished by 5:30.  Most of the group walked only 8.6 km.  Only myself and the Katz's walked the final stretch to retrieve the cars.  The 9 km really takes the edge off.  Somehow that last km pushes people just past their comfort zone.  If you can manage it, I think 8.5 km is a really nice day trip.  It leaves people with the urge to wake up the next day and do it again.  While 10 km leaves people glad to be done, and not willing to do it again for a while.

The weather was perfect, 19 degrees and partly cloudy.  At first, it felt a bit chilly to be by the water, but once we started moving we were comfortable in a long or short sleeve t-shirt,, with full-length pants, leggings or skirts.

I forgot to mention that the reason we were able to take this day off work and school was that school and work have been effectively canceled due to the Coronavirus outbreak world-wide.  We did see people along the way who chose to spend the day outside, on a picnic, or at the beach, keeping a social distance from one another is a lot easier out of doors.  The boardwalks and fields were so peaceful and quiet.  They were not entirely deserted, but the silence was a welcome change from the regular pace of life.  Although it is not clear how this global crisis will unfold, we welcome more opportunities to get out of doors and walk the shvil.

Perhaps due to the silence, we saw many beautiful birds that we are not used to seeing.  Among them the exceptional שלדג, Kingfisher, with its red beak and electric blue feathers.  Its call is loud and persistent and to see it is to gasp at its beauty.  

It was so nice to get a chance to catch up with my dear friend.  Each of the girls had a friend to walk with and Netanel was glad to flit and run between the pairs of us, engaging all of us from time to time.  A group of 7 is a nice size group.  

I can't wait to get right back on this pleasant and not difficult section of the shvil next week.  Here's a link to more pictures from this day.    More pictures of this beautiful day

Trip 11: Latrun to Mesilat Tsiyon:. March 2, 2020 (10 km)

Present:  Elli, Leora, Sara & Noam Wolf, Bruria, Cheftzi-va and Netanel.

Today was election day again!  This is the third election day in the last year, as the Israeli government is not managing to reform. 

It was wonderful to see so many people outdoors enjoying the glorious weather and the spectacular green expanses all dappled with red, pink, purple and yellow wildflowers which are common to this season.  It has been a very wet winter and the entire landscape is lush as a result.

As you will see from the photos the sky was blue and partly cloudy, and the weather cool and mild.  These conditions are ideal for walking.  

We kept things easy and simple by choosing a section close to home.  We have recently done some long drives and Netanel announced,. ''I'm not going anywhere far.''  We drove with our friends, the Wolf's, to put one car at the end of the trail and started the trail at the Latrun Monestary called מנזר השתקנים.  

The beginning kilometer, or two, was through beautiful fields and vineyards.  The trail also includes a spectacular lookout if the entire Latrun area.  We could see as far as Tel Aviv.  Next, you get to the edge of an interesting settlement called נווה שלום.  A mixed settlement of Arabs and Jews.  The remaining kilometers are all through mountainous forests.  There are comfortable paths, picnic tables, and shade throughout.  

A glimpse of the modern history and significance of this area is portrayed throughout the forest as you can walk the Burma Road which forged the Israeli path connecting Jerusalem to the rest of the country in 1948.   Throughout this path there are statues of old vehicles which stand along the Serpentine trail that vehicles used to transverse the area.  Maps and explanation plaques explain this, as well.

We didn't find a place to refill water so we knocked on a door in the Kfar Shalom settlement on the edge of the forest.  On a comfortable 10 m. Walk such as this one, on a cool winter day, 1.5 L is adequate.  We walked from about 1:30 pm -5:30 pm, at a leisurely pace, stopping frequently for photos, snacks and rests. 

photos of this glorious day

Trip 10: Ramat haNadiv to Meir

Present:  Elli, Tsvi, Tamar, Bruria, Cheftzi-va and netanel.

On Chanukah we decided to stray a bit farther from home. We were going to spend the night in chaifa so we looked for a section of the shvil which was close by. We started the day at Ramat haNadiv which is one of israels most beautiful cultivated parks.  There is adequate parking as well as many sights to see there. It's a beautiful place for picknicking.  There are water stations and very organized bathrooms.  It is a good place to start your day and if you have the time, a nice place to relax. The reason we didn't end there was because we preferred to walk in a downhill direction, but if you don't mind occasional intense uphil climbs then definitely do this part in reverse, starting at kfar shfaya and ending at Ramat haNadiv.

Some beautiful and interesting attractions we saw on the way were an authentic ship, from the Aliya Bet, clandestine Aliya to Israel in the time of the British rule and a very pretty מעיין built up into a wading pool,. In a shady, picturest area ideal for stopping and resting.   There was a gas station about one km from the starting point with clean bathrooms and water refill.

This section was 10 km long and it took us 4 hours at a very leisurely pace.  

Most of the way was comfortable trail and easily navigated dirt road.  This is a comfortable section for multi- age family members, even grandparents. 

The fact that it was winter made it that much more comfortable and enjoyable.  Ramat haNadiv is virtually inside of zichron yaakov.  This means that you are only 1-2 km away from beautiful cobblestone boutique shopping areas and restaurants if you wish to continue your day with sightseeing.  Zichron has interesting history to tell of the early Zionist settlement.  Tours are readily available of the מייסדים or founding fathers of the settlement.

Here is a link to pictures of this trip.  This is an excellent section to look forward to.

photos of that day