Ariel Sharon Park (Hiriya) – Visitors Guide (Both Compounds)
Ariel Sharon Park stands on top of a former waste dump named Hiriya. Once completed, it will be the biggest park in the Middle East.
Map
Ariel Sharon Park is located near highways #1 and #4. Here is an interactive map with links to the mountain compound.
Directions for drivers: Link to Waze and Link to Google Maps
Directions for public transport: Link to Moovit
Interactive map of the area:
Here is a topographic map of this area:
Note: you can click on the map to enlarge it.
Currently, the park has two complexes with two different entrances.
| Name of the compound | Directions | What to enter into Waze | Description | Location on the map above |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The mountain compound (Mount Hiriya) | The entrance is from Highway #4 South. And as you get off Highway #4 south, turn right and drive around the industrial complex. After completing a semi-circle, you will see a right turn leading uphill to the mountain parking. Also, you can get there only by car, since no public transport reaches this site. | “Park Ariel Sharon, mountain compound.” | It is the restored waste mountain and the first area to open. | It is located to the right of the map. You can see a big red point. |
| The northern compound (Shalem Farm) | You must get off Highway #4 and drive on Road #461 in Tel Aviv’s direction. After several minutes, you will see a sign pointing to the left. | “Offices of Ariel Sharon Park” or “Havat Shalem” | This area has restored Shalem Farm, a playground for children, and more. | You can see it in the top right of the map above (marked with a red arrow). |
Here is a closeup map of the mountain compound:
Trails
The trail at the top of the mountain is about two km long, but it can easily be made shorter. Since cycling on the hill is forbidden, it is only a hiking path.
Here is an interactive map from israelhiking.osm.org.il:
Cycling
Cycling on top of the hill is forbidden. But there are asphalt trails to the north of the mountain. And many use them for cycling. There is a three-km-long cyclic trail, and you can continue towards Menachem Begin Park. You can see part of this trail in the following photo.
Opening Hours
The mountain compound is open according to the following schedule unless there is a special event (check at the official site):
Sunday – Saturday: 7:30 – 18:00
The opening hours of Shalem Farm are:
Sunday – Saturday: 06:00 – 23:00
Entrance Fee
Free.
Parking
You can park at the mountain compound for free, but parking at Shalem Farm costs 20 NIS daily.
Tours
Today (June 2024), there are only tours for organized groups (no more free tours for the general public). The official site has additional information.
Dogs
You can bring dogs to Ariel Sharon Park, but they should be on a leash.
Also, starting a fire, including a barbeque, is prohibited in both compounds, but you can have a picnic.
Contact Information
Phone: 03-7398999
Shows and Concerts
You can purchase tickets for a concert at the mountain compound here or here.
About Ariel Sharon Park
Ariel Sharon Park stands on a waste dump. Wait. What? Park on a waste dump? Yes, let’s start chronologically.
Hiriya is a former waste dump located southeast of Tel Aviv. It received waste and worked as a landfill from 1952 to 1999. Over time, the size of the mountain reached 450,000 square meters and a height of 70 meters. It is visible as a flat-topped mountain at the intersection of highways #1 and #4.
From the establishment of the State of Israel up until 1998, this site was used as the main waste landfill for the Dan District municipality. For years, Israel’s “Mountain of Waste” was a symbol of an environmental, sanitary, and safety hazard, until the onset of its rehabilitation project in 2000.
The mountain spans approximately 110 acres and stands 230 feet above ground level. The mountain holds approximately 16 million cubes of all sorts of waste!
The mountain’s rehabilitation and transformation into a park was an architectural-engineering initiative based upon the principles of sustainable development with the following objectives:
• Pumping out the methane gas that is emitted by the decomposition of organic waste buried deep inside the mountain. The gas is used to produce green energy.
• Recycling and use of construction waste in the mountain’s rehabilitation process.
• Building underground detention ponds to store rainwater in the winter months for irrigation of plant life in the summer.
On the mountain site, you can enjoy:
• Spectacular observation points overlooking the Dan District region.
• Visitor’s Center with a multimedia presentation that tells the story of the mountain (entrance fee required).
• Self-guided walking tour – “The Way Side Story” – An easily accessible and well-marked walking trail that includes observation points, information, and interesting facts about the rehabilitation process of the landfill mountain.
• Shaded areas and green lawns.
• An ecological lake and a coffee shop.
Source: sign
And now, let’s visit the mountain compound.
Mountain Compound – Mount Hiriya
Near the parking, you can find restrooms and explanation signs.
Ecological Lake
From viewpoint #8 (on the map of the mountain compound), you can see the ecological lake (#11 on the map), visitors center, cafe, and parking.
There are picnic tables, and some of them have shade. But as you can see in the rules above, starting a fire, including a gas fire kit, barbeque, and bonfire, is prohibited in Ariel Sharon Park.
