Ein Hemed National Park – Visitors Guide
Ein Hemed (Aqua Bella) by Jerusalem is a lovely place for a family visit. It has barbecue areas, greenery, water, and archeology.
Many people call this park as the perfect place for a picnic. In addition, many photographers visit this park during autumn due to the foliage.
Map
Ein Hemed National Park is close to Castel, and both are near Jerusalem.
Directions for drivers: Link to Waze and Link to Google Maps
Directions for public transport: Link to Moovit
Interactive map of the area:
You will receive a brochure at the entrance with information about this park. Here is the map from the official booklet.
Note: you can click on the map to enlarge it.
Trail
The park map shows red loop trail markings. Its length is about 1.5 km, and walking slowly takes about one hour.
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 December 2024. In any case, recheck the official site before visiting.
Contact Information
Phone: 02-5342741
Email: gl.ein-hemed@npa.org.il
Campsite at Ein Hemed
There used to be a camping option at this national park. From what I understand, it is only available for big groups (use the contact information above). If you are interested, you can book the nearby Castel campsite.
Lighting Fire and Barbeque
Fire and barbeque are permitted in some parts of this National Park (close to the entrance). Just follow the signs.
Hiking at Ein Hemed
Ein Hemed National Park lies in the Nahal Kesalon riverbed. It has springs and the remains of a 12th-century Crusader castle. The park is also known by its Latin name, Aqua Bella.
Ein Hemed is not an extensive National Park. It takes only about five minutes to go from one end to another. As you enter this park, you will see many families with kids. There is a lot of greenery, water, shade, and a place for kids to run. Thus, many families come here for a picnic and relaxing time.
We arrived on a Saturday morning in September. September is usually not too hot, but it is before the rainy season. Thus, Ein Hemed Spring barely had any water.
The water in the pond was not clean, but there was another place where kids could splash in it. Thus, if you visit in the summer, bring swimsuits for the children.
The water route is almost completely dry.
Note: As you can see from the two photos above, October to November are usually the best times to visit (to see Autumn).
You rarely see autumn in Israel. Therefore, when I saw these leaves, I decided to make a small photo book for them :)
The Crusader Farmhouse
We walked along the water canal to the Crusader Farmhouse.
This farmhouse was built during the Crusader period (1140 – 1160). It is one of the buildings constructed along the road to Jerusalem, and members of the Hospitalier family owned it.
Look at the thickness of the walls:
In the inner courtyard. The second and the third floors.