It is not easy to find places to take a short hike in the winter without worrying about mud splattered shoes and pants. Below are four ideas for such short walks:
Tel Yokneam, at the eastern base of the Carmel mountains was, much like the more famous site of Megiddo to the southeast, a choke point for travel from Israel’s coastal plain to the Jezreel valley of the Lower Galilee and points farther East. Like Megiddo, its inhabitants have left behind a treasure trove of archaeological remains stretching from Pharaonic Egypt to British Mandatory rule, all organized for easy access in a lovely archaeological park.
On the other side of the Jezreel Valley, south of the Sea of the Galilee and on the Border with Jordan, lies the Neharaim Park. Enter the Dam path (Shevil Ha-Secharim) to enjoy a brisk walk between the “island of Peace” between Israel and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the Railway Bridge, the King’s gate, the ancient bridges and the dam of the lake. To conclude visit the reservoir dam, site of the most impressive waterfall in Israel, flowing even in the middle of the summer.
Just a short drive southwards on route 90, is a series of lesser, but no less impressive waterfalls, can be found in the Basalt Canyon through which Nahal Harod flows to the Jordan River. Though Nahal Harod, which drains the Harod valley, descends sedately along most of its course to the Jordan, here the topography forces the stream to suddenly drop over a series of waterfalls, the tallest of which is 13 meters. You can watch the spectacle from the bridge overlooking the waterfalls- and continue, if you wish, to the nearby Huga Water Park.
For a more level walk drive to the Northern shores of the Sea of the Galilee, to the Esplanade of Capernaum, and walk the path, much of it handicapped accessible, connecting the hidden waterfall, the churches and the restored jetty- all on the backdrop of the romantic Kinneret.