Israel Trail – the Yarkon

All the information about the Israel Trail – the Yarkon: We did the Israel Trail segment between Reading and the sources of the Yarkon. The trail winds along and next to the Yarkon River stream. In Tsvi Gilat's book—Israel Trail— the length of the segment is listed as 18 kilometers. On a sign posted at the Tel Aviv Port it's written that the length of the Yarkon is 28 kilometers. In my estimate, the route is about 23 kilometers, since there are several bends that shorten the trail. As mentioned, the segment begins in the area of the mouth of the Yarkon, and from there you go east along the north left bank until Afeq Park at Rosh Ha'ayin. Walking in this section along the seashore—Ramat HaHayal—is relatively convenient. Here Yehoshua Park ends, and from here you leave civilization for the wild Yarkon. This is also the time to stock up on water from one of the faucets; the next water point is far away, in the Baptist village. Little by little, the Yarkon changes its face: the channel becomes narrow, and from time to time there are small waterfalls. If you forget the Yarkon for a moment, you'll think you're walking along one of the rivers in the north of the country—many bamboo reeds and the dusty road remind you of the Jordan. Along the river are scattered mementos from past attempts to utilize the water; here and there there are lovely spots where grillers (barbecue people) have set up, arriving by jeeps and private vehicles. Here too, as in the north, the trail markings are clear, but they waste time and energy. All kinds of detours and loops are frustrating and bring you back to nearby points from which you set out. It's not clear how the route is determined and what its purpose is. You come out of the jungle and pass the concrete house of yet another water plant, and from there to the Baptist village, where there's a rest corner for hikers: shade, water, and, at the same time, a selection of booklets and CDs about Jesus. From there you continue and bypass Yarkon National Park until the nearby Afeq Park. Again, it's worth bearing in mind that the segment is very long, and in Ramat HaHayal you should stock up with enough water.