Qula: Israel’s First Black-Marked Mountain Biking Trail

11 October 2026
KKL-JNF has inaugurated the Qula mountain biking trail, a 4.1-kilometer circular route designed for experienced riders. The trail is rated as highly difficult and is the first in Israel to be marked in black, a designation reserved for the most challenging routes.
An international race featuring elite and junior riders was held at the site immediately after the official inauguration. The event provided an opportunity to strengthen Israel’s mountain biking culture and enable the riding community to enjoy the forest’s open spaces and scenery while encouraging the responsible use and preservation of these natural areas.
 
Built from the ground up in the XCO (cross-country Olympic) style, the trail features short, steep climbs, winding turns and technical obstacles, including tabletops and berms. Each lap includes around 100 meters of cumulative elevation gain, with less technical bypasses marked in red available at certain points along the route. In areas where the ground is particularly fragile, recycled local materials were used in the trail’s construction.
 
The route winds through Kula Forest (Forest of the 28), passing near the 12th-century Crusader Qula Fortress, with much of the trail running beneath the shade of trees planted by Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael–Jewish National Fund (KKL-JNF) in the 1950s.
 
KKL-JNF stresses that the trail is intended exclusively for highly experienced riders. Riders are advised to familiarize themselves with the route in advance and wear appropriate protective equipment.
 
Photo: Ofer Ivri, KKL-JNF Photo Archive
 
KKL-JNF World Chairman Eyal Ostreinsky: “This project joins a series of singletrack trails and cycling facilities that KKL-JNF develops and prepares in forests across Israel. KKL-JNF currently maintains 1,419 kilometers of singletrack trails, with annual maintenance costs totaling NIS 2.3 million. KKL-JNF plans, builds and maintains its trails in accordance with the terrain and the characteristics of each area, adapting them to riders of different skill levels. Since the outbreak of the Iron Swords War, KKL-JNF has invested approximately NIS 3 billion in a wide range of public-benefit projects across Israel, while continuing to invest in forests, trails and recreational infrastructure.”
 
Oz Dudai, CEO of the Israel Cycling Federation: “The mountain biking sector in Israel works in close cooperation with KKL-JNF. It is very difficult to hold mountain biking competitions without KKL-JNF’s infrastructure, trails and assistance, which is why the construction of this new trail is an important milestone for the entire sport. I hope this is just the beginning. Our vision is to develop another five or six dedicated trails together with KKL-JNF in different locations across the country, enabling us to hold competitions under conditions suited to each area and trail. The cycling community greatly appreciates KKL-JNF’s partnership over the years, and we all hope to see more trails like these established across Israel.”
 
Shimon Sussan, Head of Hevel Modi’in Regional Council: “There is something moving about seeing how a familiar and beloved forest takes on new life without losing what makes it special. Kula Forest is a place of nature, heritage and remembrance, and today, a new dimension of sport, challenge and movement has been added to it. The new singletrack trail offers a different perspective on the same forest and demonstrates that we can preserve our green spaces while giving them additional meaning and creating more ways to enjoy them. I commend KKL-JNF for this initiative and its ongoing partnership in developing the forest for the benefit of the public.”
 
Photo: Ofer Ivri, KKL-JNF Photo Archive
 
The inauguration of the trail as part of an international race provides an opportunity to strengthen mountain biking culture in Israel and allow riders to enjoy the forest and its scenery while ensuring the responsible preservation of open spaces.
 
KKL-JNF emphasizes that the trail is intended exclusively for highly experienced riders. Riders must familiarize themselves with the route in advance and use appropriate protective equipment.