Gilboa

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.