Gilboa Mountain Biking Trail

more stats

17.6 miles

Distance

2,673 ft

Climb

-2,685 ft

Descent

1,015 ft

High Point

-11 ft

Altitude change

-211 ft

Altitude min

223 ft

Altitude start

212 ft

Altitude end

-0.012%

Grade

-40.866%

Grade max

31.05%

Grade min

10 miles

Distance climb

7 miles

Distance down

1 mile

Distance flat

Gilboa Details

Activities
- Mountain Bike
- Hike
- Trail Running
Riding Area

Jezreel Valley
Afula
AKA

סינגל יער גלבוע
Difficulty Rating

Green Rate
Global Ranking
#167680 in Mountain Biking [+]
- #348351 in Trail Running
- #357632 in Hiking
Trail Type

Singletrack
Bike Type

XC
Direction

Both Directions
Climb Difficulty

Blue
Physical Rating

Hard
Dogs Allowed

Yes
Land Owner

KKL

The picturesque landscapes of the Jezreel Valley attract visitors all year round, especially when the Gilboa Iris is in bloom. The topographical location of the Gilboa, and the panoramas visible from the heights of the ridge are some of Israel’s most beautiful. The agricultural settlement of the Jezreel Valley, which began about a hundred years ago, created a carpet of rectangular areas in hues of bright green to dark brown. In between them are fish ponds and blue reservoirs. On the slopes of the mountain range there are dense forests, some of which were planted by KKL-JNF and some of them natural woodland.

The difficulty level of the cycling route is medium and higher. A large part of the route is defined as a single. Some sections include the existing forest road, and bicyclers can ride in the open areas of nature reserve. The singles complete the forest road route and create continuity from the main entrance to the circular finish. The route begins in a new shopping center that was recently built near the forest that includes a simulated ski slope, coffee shops and a restaurant. Bypass the center on the right, park your car and cycle by way of the designated entrance lane into the shady forest of assorted pines, eucalyptus and natural woodland. The road starts in dense forest and ascends until it reaches a point where the view opens onto the Harod Valley, Kochav Hayarden, Ramot Yissachar, Ramot Sirin, Givat Hamoreh and, on the horizon, the mountains of Jordan.

The route climbs to the Vinia Cohen Scenic Lookout from where you can see the Harod Valley and the hills around it. The path proceeds along the cliff which slopes downward and feels like the end of the world. The blue fish ponds sparkle in the sunlight. At the foot of the cliff is Kfar Gidon, golden chickpea fields that have already been reaped and young forest saplings planted by KKL JNF to restore the forest that was burned. On the horizon you can see the Kochav Hayarden ridge and the mountains of Jordan.

The route passes an old quarry, which was once used by Kfar Gidon, and ascends beyond the top level of the quarry on narrow forest paths between venerable forest trees. The path was designed with controlled inclines of up to 6 or 7 degrees in order to facilitate cycling. Partridges scurry across the bicycle path, and the route proceeds to observation sites that view the valley from a high altitude—Katef Shaul, Shaar Hagilboa, and the Wind Chime recreation area.

Recent Activity on Trail

Past Week

0 rides

6 Months

0 rides

All

0 rides
Last: Apr 5, 2021

update trails status or condition

Gilboa Trail Reports

status	date	description
	Apr 5, 2021 @ 10:19am Apr 5, 2021	Trail is in good condition but there are a lot of thorns now. Also the GPX needs to be updated with new single track from KKL
	Dec 29, 2020 @ 10:18am Dec 29, 2020
	Oct 19, 2020 @ 10:21am Oct 19, 2020