The Hadid Single Track Bike Trail (the green one) in Ben Shemen Forest

 

 

 

The Ben Shemen Single Track Cycle Trail Network – the most popular in Israel – has acquired a new star: the Hadid Single Track, which offers a stellar cycling experience amidst archeological artifacts, dense forest, ancient orchards and wonderful scenic lookouts.

This route provides a flowing ride appropriate to the conditions of the terrain and incorporates rock steps both uphill and downhill to challenge the body, the heart and the spirit.

 

 

The Mitzpeh Modiin starting point: From Route no. 443 drive into Ben Shemen Forest through the main entrance at Mitzpeh Modiin. Turn right at the first junction, cross beneath route 443 and leave your vehicle in the Park and Ride facility on the right. On the other side of the major crossroads ahead of us, before the entrance to the car park, you will see a sign announcing the start of the single track.

The Quartermaster Corps Memorial starting point: From Route no. 444, slightly north of the Ben Shemen Interchange (i.e., approx one kilometer north of the access point to Route no. 6), turn towards the Quartermaster Corps memorial and continue to follow the road that winds uphill into the forest until you reach a large open space where you can see the signpost to the starting point on the right. Here you can park.

 

 

Tel Hadid is a hill 147 meters in height that overlooks the Dan Bloc (Gush Dan) and the Coastal Plain. Although most of it is located within the boundaries of Ben Shemen Forest, an additional area to the east is divided from the main part of the woodland by Route no. 443. It can be accessed through the underground passageway near Mitzpeh Modiin.

Because of the location of the tel and its commanding view of the entire area westwards all the way to the coast, this site has been settled throughout long periods of its history, from the Iron Age until the founding of the State of Israel. These successive waves of settlement have left numerous signs behind them, including dwelling caves and agricultural artifacts that we shall have a chance to observe as we cycle by.

The Hadid Single Track is built in such a way as to lead us into all the forest’s most remarkable hidden corners, including some that will surprise even veteran Ben Shemen Forest cyclists who believe they know the woodland like the back of their hand.

This single track joins up with its older brothers, the Herzl and Anava trails, to create a network of around 45 kilometers of well laid out, well signposted and well maintained single track routes throughout Ben Shemen Forest. The Hadid track is skillfully constructed to take advantage of the natural features of the terrain and provide a perfect flowing ride that offers adrenalin-inducing challenges as it leads us along a varied and interesting route. What more could a cyclist want?

The route is 11 kilometers in length with around 200 meters of cumulative ascent (and descent). It is indicated by green trail markings and requires a moderate level of skill and experience. It can be ridden only in an anticlockwise direction.

Note: This single track is intersected by numerous other paths. Take care to follow the trail markings to ensure that you don’t stray off your route.

From the Mitzpeh Modiin starting point: We turn right on to the single track and begin to pedal in an easterly direction, heading uphill. A few challenging rock passages soon show us why this route is classified not as easy, but as being of moderate difficulty, and they help us to decide very quickly whether or not it suits us. After we overcome the difficulties and reach the top of the hill to the east of the start of our route, we get to enjoy an excellent 1,200 meter downhill stretch that bobs and weaves among the trees, some attractive landscapes and even some beautiful anemones in bloom if we happen to be here at around the right time, i.e., February.

The continuation of the single track leads us uphill once more along terrific stretches through ancient quarries before plunging downhill at length via some fine berms and low stone terraces that descend to the northern turn above Nahal Natuf and below Tel Hadid.

Now we start to cycle round Tel Hadid itself. We ascend gently at first to get above the Route no. 6 tunnel that goes below the road, before reaching a particularly enjoyable stretch with berms and the possibility of jumps through the forest and among the ancient olive trees. We continue southwards round the tel, every so often catching tantalizing glimpses of Coastal Plain landscapes and, on a clear day, of the Mediterranean Sea too, as it sparkles in the distance.

The downhill run from the tel brings a big smile to our faces once more, and when we get close to the ruins and start to climb again to ascend the next hill, we pass by a large round pool of water. In front of us is an enormous tree where we can sit in the shade at KKL-JNF picnic tables and recover for a while. This delightful spot is the Sheizaf (Jujube Tree) Recreation Area. Remember this name, as you may well want to come back here one day with the family.

Now we set off again for another good downhill stretch that leads us into open ground before taking us back into the forest thickets, where, in early winter, beautiful flowering cyclamen awaits us. The single track climbs slowly through the woodland, passes close by a densely planted plot of young trees, swoops briefly downhill, and then starts to climb again. Finally we and the single track emerge into open ground that is beautifully studded with wild flowers in springtime. Another brief effort, and here we are back at our starting point once again. Have you got the strength for another lap? Or perhaps for a quick spin around the Herzl Single Track instead.

 

From the Quartermaster Corps Memorial starting point: We retrace our route for several dozen meters back down the road we’ve just come along, then turn left to link up with the single track as it circles round Tel Hadid. From here we continue as described above until we find ourselves back at the junction with the road, which we follow uphill back to where we’ve left our vehicle.