This hike is a shortened version of the “Gezer Trail,” being about a half of the longer 14 Km-trail. The trail begins and ends at the bottom of Tel Gezer and visits Ein Yarod and the monoliths or matzevot on the tell. Leave time to explore the rest of the tell.
Time: About 3¼ hours. Add at least another ¾ to an hour to explore the findings on the rest of the tell.
Distance: About 7½ Km.
Type of hike: Circular.
Difficulty: This is an easy trail with only gradual inclines.
Directions and parking: Enter “Tel Gezer” into Waze. You will pass through the village of Karmei Yosef. From Karmei Yosef there is an asphalt-covered road, but some parts of the road are not in great shape. When you get to the Waze destination, a notice will point you up the hill to the parking lot at the base of the tell reached by a dirt road.
Admission to the tell: This is a site of the Israel Parks and Nature Authority. There is no park office, restrooms, or park hours. There is no admission charge. The findings within the park are well described on signs, including in English. There is no map of the site, but you reach the main findings by following the main paths.
Public transport: It is a walk of several kilometers from the nearest bus stop. Enter “Tel Gezer” into Moovit.
Overlooking the Ayalon Valley from the trail
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From the parking lot, go down the hill to where you were directed by Waze. You can go directly down the road you came on, but a bit shorter is a footpath to the right of this road.
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Facing away from the tell, turn right onto a partially asphalt and gravel jeep trail. There is a map of the entire Gezer Trail by the path. You will pass by vineyards and olive groves on a slight descent.
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At the first four-way intersection, continue straight ahead as indicated by the sign on a short pillar pointing to שביל גזר (translation Gezer Trail). You will meet this pillar with its sign frequently during the hike.
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At the next 4-way intersection turn right. Note that the pillar will tell you to continue straight ahead, but this is for the longer version of the Gezer Trail. There may be a black-colored metal mobile container just before the intersection.
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You will see Kibbutz Gezer on your left. Adjacent to its cemetery the trail curves to the right in the direction back towards the tell. Ignore the first fork to the right labelled תל גזר. Very shortly after a thin footpath to the right, the main path turns towards the right. The tall buildings you see on your left are in Modi’in.
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Turn right just before a grove of carob trees. This happens to be the third turning on the right from this path since the four-way intersection. The grove of trees will remain on your left throughout this part of the trail. If it does not, you have taken the wrong turn.
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Turn right at the T-junction. The short pillar will again point you in the direction of שביל גזר. There are also red markings on the trail. The picturesque village of Karmei Yosel is ahead of you on the hill. At the junction of the red and blue trails continue ahead on the red trail. A wooden sign points to תל גזר and עין ירד .
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You cannot miss Ein Yarod on your right. There is a small parking lot. There are some date palms and fig and pomegranate trees. There is one shaded picnic bench. I could not locate the actual spring, but there is a small pool. It may be completely dry during the summer.
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Turn right at the second turning on the right from the T-junction. Again, there is a short pillar with the direction to שביל גזר. Go through the open gate. There is now a gentle ascent.
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Follow this path to the right by a large silver waterpipe by the side of the trail. Follow this pipe along until it goes underground for a short distance on the left-hand side of the road. At this location is an inconspicuous non-marked footpath between two boulders. Turn onto this footpath which ascends to the tell. The path is a bit overgrown, so be careful of your lower legs, although there are no thistles.
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After some distance turn right at the T-junction to the observation area.
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From the observation are, take the left fork ahead to the ten monoliths or matzevot (for an explanation of these, see the web page Tel Gezer National Park.
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From the pillars, take the left fork ahead to the park exit and your car. You may also wish to explore the tel. At the intersection by the Gezer Calendar display turn left. For directions and explanations from here, see the webpage “Tel Gezer National Park.”
The pool at Ein Yarod
The matzevot on Tel Gezer
To follow your location on your smart phone, click on the following link. Click on the black box with a cross at the top left of 20the map and it should change color to green. It is not necessary to download the free app unless you wish to.
Nearby places of interest:
You are close to the delightful village of Karmei Yosef. Mitzpe Iti is a small park in Karmei Yoself with a view over the coastal plain. There is one shaded picnic table. Enter into Waze “״מצפה איטי.
On the other side of the road is the parking lot for the village stores. There is also a coffee shop, restaurant and cold-water drinking fountain. Directions:
The Melo HaTane Bio Organic Farm is not that far from the tell. They grow 60 different kinds of organic fruits, vegetables and herbs. They also have beehives. Depending on the season, you can pick fresh berries, figs and cherries. The farm is open from 10.30 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day except Sunday and 10.30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday. Admission is 35 NIS and includes opportunities to pick and taste produce and view their displays. Directions: Enter into Waze “ מלוא הטנא מרכז מבקרים ,פדיה.“