EIn-Tzur: A beautiful spring and an impressive assembly of archaeological sites on a leisurely 2.5 kilometer route just next to Ramat Hanadiv.
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Once you park by the Ramat Ha-Nadiv Gardens, look for where all the crowds are headed- the entrance to the gardens. But we aren’t here to follow the crowds, are we? Turn your back on the mob and head down a picturesque trail marked by two low pillars- from now on keep to the blue blazed trail.
The leisurely trail will twist around, offering us excellent vistas Eastwards of Ha-Nadiv Valley, studded with tiny rural settlements that will relax our urban jungle overloaded minds. Soon we will reach a Cherub Tree and shortly thereafter will descend a few steps, only to rise, descend again, and run head-on into a massive oak tree, and then go down another steep flight of stairs. If all of these stairs are tiring you out take a moment to rest on the benches flanking the massive oak.
At the bottom of the stairs, we will run into the highlight of the eponymous route- Ein Tzur (Flint Spring). This magnificent spring includes a deep, partially roofed, aqueduct, a square water pool, a Roman bathhouse and a small, intimate wading pool. Aren’t you glad you took the less travelled route now?
Well, it’s not quite over yet- you will, once you tear yourself away from this hidden spring, encounter the impressive ruins of a Herodian era palace (Hirbat Alek), an Ottoman Era Villa (Beit Huri). If this sounds like a lot just bear in mind that this is all included in a leisurely 2.5-kilometer route. Well? What are you still doing in front of your screens? The spring is waiting- just for you.