Tel Hadid – Visitors Guide
The Tel Hadid observation deck in Ben Shemen Forest offers beautiful views of central Israel and is next to a KKL-JNF recreational area.
Map
Tel Hadid is located in the northern part of Ben Shemen Forest.
Directions for drivers: Link to Waze and Link to Google Maps
Directions for public transport: Link to Moovit
Interactive map of the area:
Parking
There are many parking spaces available, and you can park for free either near Tel Hadid or in other locations.
Opening Hours
There are no signs regarding opening hours. You can enter for free anytime. However, there is no artificial light, so visit only during the day.
The Observation Point
Tel Hadid is situated on the hill closest to the coastal plain. Therefore, from the observation deck at the top of Tel Hadid in Ben Shemen Forest, one can overlook the area between Petah Tikva, Lod, Ramle, and Tel Aviv.
Here are several photos:
Trails
Many people arrive at this forest to have picnics. But we decided to hike.
Notes:
- The Israeli National Trail passes through this area.
- Besides hiking trails, there are also cycling trails. But be careful, as we saw horseback riders using the cycling trails.
We started at Tel Hadid and made a two-hour loop trail. Here is an interactive map from israelhiking.osm.org.il where the trail is marked:
| Description | Stratring Point | Ending Point | Distance (km) | Total climb and descent (meters) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loop trail | Tel Hadid | Tel Hadid | 2.3 | 114 |
Notes:
- You can easily modify our trail to make it shorter or longer. There are numerous trails and jeep roads in this area.
- Most trails are not marked, so keep the general direction.
What Ages is this trail Suitable for?
All the trails are easy and suitable for families.
Entrance Fee
Free.
When to Visit?
We visited at the beginning of January, which is not the best time of year for nature hikes. Spring is typically the ideal season for this.
Hiking at Tel Hadid
Here are several photos from our hike:
