Ein Afek Nature Reserve – Nature and Wildlife for Families

Ein Afek Nature Reserve by Kiryat Bialik is a wetland with many animals and accessible trails. Hence, it is loved by families with kids.

Notes:

• I have been to Ein Afek Nature Reserve more than a dozen times, and the photos in this post combine those visits. Thus, you will probably see fewer animals on a regular visit than mentioned in this post.
• If you want additional info about animals and wildlife, check out Zoos and Aquariums in Israel‎.

Map

Ein Afek Nature Reserve is located near Kiryat Bialik. And the easiest way to reach it is by entering “Ein Afek Nature Reserve” into Waze.

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 map of Ein Afek Nature Reserve:

Note: you can click on the map to enlarge it.

Tracks

As you can see on the map, there are two parts to Ein Afek Nature Reserve.

• The wetland is shown at the top of the map. The loop trail that goes around and on top of the water is called the swamp path (marked with red arrows).
• Another path leads uphill by the picnic area (near the flour mill). It is the Tel Afek track (located in the lower part of the map).

Note: Tel is a hill created by many generations of people living and rebuilding on the same spot (for more info about Tel, see Megiddo National Park).

Usually, we start with the swamp path. We head to the flour mill from the parking lot (to the left of the map). Then, we continue along the outer round route (the longest one) until we return to the flour mill. Afterward, we head uphill to the Tel (at the bottom of the map). From the Tel, we return to the parking lot.

This Nature Reserve is not extensive, and depending on your pace, you can complete it in several hours (typically 1-3 hours). Thus, you can easily change the route since it will not add much time.

Opening Hours

Sunday – Thursday and Saturday: 8:00 – 17:00 (16:00 in winter).
Friday: 8:00 – 16:00 (15:00 in winter).
On holiday eves, usually 8:00 – 13:00.

Note: Since the pandemic, the Israel Nature and Parks Authority has started limiting the number of people in each park. Thus, reservations are recommended through the official site (you can find the link below).

Entrance Fee

Adult 24 NIS, child 10 NIS, and student 20 NIS. Free for National Parks annual subscribers.

If you visit multiple National Parks, consider purchasing a combo ticket. Additional information is available at National Parks and Nature Reserves.

Note: opening hours and ticket prices were updated in July 2023. In any case, recheck the official site before visiting.

Coupons

Israel Nature and Parks Authority manages this place. They do not offer coupons. The only way to reduce costs is to purchase combo tickets or an annual subscription. You can find additional info at National Parks and Nature Reserves.

Contact Information

Phone: 04-8778226
Facebook page: @IsraelNaturParks

Dogs and Barbeque

As you can see in the photo above, there are several rules. Pets, including dogs, are prohibited at Ein Afek. Entering the water and starting fires (including barbeques) is also forbidden.

You can find a picnic area near the flour mill with beautiful olive trees.

You can find a picnic area with tables, water taps, restrooms, and garbage bins in this area. And if you want to have a barbeque, I suggest the nearby Kiryat Ata forest.

Why Do People Love Ein Afek Nature Reserve?

I think that many people love Ein Afek Nature Reserve because:

• It is relatively close to the center and very close to Haifa. Thus, there is no need for a long drive.
• It is one of fewer Nature Reserves with a long wheelchair-accessible trail (which covers big parts of the park). That also means that you can also get along with baby carriages. And the routes are not extended. You can spend an hour to a half-day at this reserve.
• There is water all year round. Thus, there are animals and birds in all seasons. If you want to see more birds, then prefer the migration season (mostly November – December), and if you want more flowers, then March-April is more appropriate.

The Swamp Path – Long Loop Route

Flour mill

Our first stop is the old flour mill:

The Ancient Flour Mill – flour mills have been in existence along Nahal Na’aman since the early Muslim period (8th century CE). A large dam, 625 m. long, blocked the stream, creating a lake behind it. A channel directed the waters of the lake to the water wheel that operated the stones of the mill.

After the Crusaders conquered Haifa and Akko (1104 CE), the region became a center for the cultivation of cereals and sugar cane. The Crusaders fortified the structure of the flour mill and built a fort that protected the site. Parts of the impressive two-story structure were built in the Roman period, and significant parts, mainly on the ground floor, are from the Crusader period. The flour mill was built as a fortified structure in the format of flour mills common in Europe in the Middle Ages. The building is almost square, formed of large stones with diagonal chiseling cuts typical of the Crusaders. Some of the rocks have chiseler marks cut into them.

The structure was renovated in the Ottoman period (18th century), during the time of Dahar al-Amar and Ahmed al-Jezzar. The mill also provided flour for Napoleon’s army when he besieged Akko in 1799. At the end of the Ottoman period, the mill and the surrounding areas were the property of the Sursuk family, living in Beirut, and the building was rented to people from Shfar’am. The defense position on the roof is made of concrete and was built in 1936.

Source: unless stated otherwise, all quotes were taken from the official site.

Ein Afek Reserve Video

Inside this building, you can find a small permanent display of traditional agricultural tools. You can also watch a short video (10-15 minutes) about this nature reserve. Here is the timetable for the film.

You can climb to the mill’s roof (two floors) to observe the nature reserve and the valley around it. Here are several photos from the top.

Water Level

After several years of drought, culminating in 1991, the decreased abundance of springs almost completely dried the Ein Afek reserve. The ecosystem was severely damaged. Starting from that year, Nature Reserve Authority intervened in managing reserve water resources and developed measures to improve them. Weekly monitoring of water levels, flow, and water quality is done. And in severe cases, water from nearby drilling is brought.

Israel signed the Ramsar Convention (formally, the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, especially as Waterfowl Habitat) in 1997. Today, there are two Ramsar sites in Israel. They are Hula Nature Reserve and Ein Afek.

Water Fauna

In springs, swamps, and ponds, rich fauna exists. There are many species of insects, several species of crabs, fish, and turtles. And if I mentioned turtles, here is a common swamp turtle: