Trip 14: Brothers' and Sisters' trip! From Paatei Modiin to Bet Nechemya - May 6, 2020

Present:  Chananya, Tsvi, Bruria, Cheftzi, Netanel (14 km)

Click here for the video summary of the trip by Cheftziva Davids

The night before there was an unseasonal thunderstorm and heavy rain.  I'm attaching some dramatic photos from the South of Israel from that night.

Our plan was actually to take advantage of the mild weather and continue our way Southwards.  However, due to the unseasonable rain in the South, we decided the night before to rethink our course. 

Naturally, the day after a rain in May is a special day to get out and feel the freshness of nature.  The air was indeed cool and fresh.  This trip set out at around 9:30 in the morning, which meant that although the day was mild, they were walking through the heat of the day, which even in winter can be intense.  This section had quite a lot of elevated areas, so there were seveeral climbs from which you had to come back down.  There was a nice amount of shade through Ben Shemen Forest.   

The bathrooms and water utilities were closed due to Corona, but we were able to buy cold water from a food truck at Neot Kedumim. 

You can see where we are in the spring - summer season, based on the tiny buds of the grape vine growing.

This trip was special because 5 of the Davids children did it together, no parents involved.  Only Israel, wasn't there because he is still in the army.  In fact, he was recently in lockdown in the army for more than 50 days due to the Corona virus outbreak.  This was the first day since the outbreak of the virus and the subsequent restrictions to people's freedom of movement, that people were officially allowed to go on hikes.  There was no limit on distance. 

Towards the end was a beautiful look out at Tel Chadid. 

To see more pictures from this special day, click here.

Trip 13: From Yishpru Center (Paatei Modiin) to Kibutz Sha'alvim (April 30, 2020) Corona!

Trip 13:  From Yishpru Center (Paatei Modiin) to Kibutz Sha'alvim (April 30, 2020)  Corona!

Present:  Elli, Bruria, Cheftzi, Netanel

This Yom Haatzmaut was a very unique one.  There were no public bandstands, no parties, no get-togethers.   Prayers happened in groups less than 19 people, in open settings, each person 2 m apart from the other, while people wore masks and gloves.  The streets were mainly empty.  Also, there was a lock down for each citizen to remain within 100 m of his own house over Yom Ha'atzmaut, so people would not visit friends or leave their cities to visit family. 
When the following morning, the lockdown was lifted as well as permission granted to do sporting activities anywhere, rather than being limited to only 500 m from your home, we decided to hit the shvil for the first time in many weeks.  

Planning only begun that morning, upon later than usual wake-up.  Keep in mind that we had been home since a few days after Purim, it was more than 6 weeks later and we had gotten very used to late nights and rising later, as well.  Davening was still only permitted from one's balcony, no gathering was permitted even in the parking area, as it is today, now the eve of Lag Ba'omer. 

We decided to walk from Paatei Modiin to Sha’alavim, that way we would end up at my sister, Danielle’s house, and be able to see her.  At this point we hadn't seen her and her family in weeks due to lockdowns and other regulations.  We knew that we needed to keep a distance and hugging and kissing was out of the question.  Wearing masks and sitting 2 m apart, outtdoors, we were able to have a visit.  

We started in the afternoon, and it was a mild, sunny day.  The walk took only an hour and a half but it was a good way to get back into practice. 

Along the way, there was not so much shade for walking under,  but there were some shady bench spots with water every km or so.  These benches typically had been transformed into memorial spots for fallen soldiers with a photo and a story to go with it.  

We could have started at gimzu, or מחלף בן שמן  which would have lengthened the trip into our regular 10 km usual length.  
The views included wheat fields and blue sky, nothing too urban.  However,  the beginning section is at Yishpru mall where one could theoretically have had lunch, if it were not corona.  Currently only grocery stores are opened.

The entire length of this walk was on a dirt path with only gentle ups and downs.  It would have been perfect for a mountain bike.
 Click here for more pictures.

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

Trip 8: From Kibutz Sha'alavm to Latrun

Trip 8:  From Kibutz Sha'alavm to Latrun - April 18, 2019

Present:  Esther & Yechiel Erez (my parents!); Danielle, Anaelle and Odelia Singer; Netanel, Cheftzi, Bruria, Israel and Leora Davids

Distance 5 km (+ 2 more to get to the trail)

This trip happened a day before Passover of this year.  My parents had arrived for the holiday, just the day before and we realized that we had a golden opportunity to include them in part of the trail in a way that would be not too difficult or out of their way.

As they were staying with my sister, Danielle Singer, at her home in Kibbutz Shaalvim, we went to visit them there and we started the walk on foot from their home through the nature reserve next to it and onto the path.  The sky was blue with fluffy white clouds, the weather was beautiful, not too hot and not too cold and the terrain was familiar, as my son Israel, had hiked it before in his army service.

It was great family time and my parents managed the trip very well.

Here are some pictures:

Pictures of

this special Day

Trip 9: From Tel Aviv Reading Station to Banana beach 5 km

August 19, 2019

Present:  Shula Diena, Tsvi, Bruria, Cheftzi-va and Netanel Davids

After a whole summer of being out of the country, we have returned to the Shvil!  Although we prefer the cooler weather, we were looking for a short hike as our niece, Shula Diena, who was visiting for a few days from Toronto, wanted to go on a not too difficult hike. It was an opportunity to include another family member on our journey and she was eager to be a part of it.

We decided to tackle the first section along the sea shore of the Mediterranean.  We figured that the wind off of the beach, coupled with embarking at 4:00 pm when the heat of the day had passed would cushion the summer's heat.   As well, the knowledge that we could dip in the water whenever we liked was also very reassuring. 

It turned out to be just the perfect plan!  "מתחם רידינג",  "Reading station"is a lovely center on the beach with shops, restaurants and boardwalk, as well as a lovely park for families.  

We weren't sure if the entire segment which we planned to do was on the tayelet (the boardwalk) or if parts were on the sand.  It turned out that the beginning kilometers and the very end were on the boardwalk, but a segment of 1.5 km in the middle were on the sand.  If not, one could pick up the green rental bikes at the beginning and give them back at the very end, as there were stations at both ends.  Maybe one day, the boardwalk will extend from one point to the other.   There were multiple places to fill water bottles along the way with cold water.

Duchifat - Israel's national Bird

This segment was mainly flat and would have been perfect for our parents.  I plan to do the next 5 km from Banana beach (מחלף גלילות) in the North direction with my parents and / or my in laws when they come to Israel.  I will see if biking can be done, because I see the boardwalk continues North... the question is just how far.

Banana beach is an organized beach with bathrooms and restaurants and a lifeguard.  There is parking too.  There is also ample grassy area for picnic and Frisbee playing.