Tzipori River – Visitors Guide (Hermits` Mill, Ein Yivka, and More)
Tzipori River flows for 32 km, and a new promenade was constructed near Ras Ali and Hermits` mill. You can hike the accessible trail or one of the other tracks. There are also places for picnics and a big pool at Ein Yivka. All of this makes the Tzipori River a popular spot.
Map
Tzipori River promenade is near Kiryat Ata and Shefaram, specifically by Ras Ali and the Hermits` mill.
The easiest way to reach this spot is by entering “Ras Ali” into Waze. But you do not need to enter the village. Near the entrance, you can find a small paved parking lot. And behind it, there is a dirt parking lot.
Alternatively, you can take the dirt road to the right and drive along with it for several additional minutes till you see Hermits` mill and park near it.
Directions for drivers: Link to Waze and Link to Google Maps
Directions for public transport: Link to Moovit
Interactive map of the area:
And here is a map of the scenic road at Tzipori forests:
You can see Ras Ali and Hermits` mill on the left part of the map.
Note: You can click on the map to enlarge it.
Trails
Note: The data in this post is based on our two most recent visits (December 2020 and February 2021). Plans are underway to improve the trails and make the promenade longer.
There are many hikes at the Tzipori River. Here is an interactive map from israelhiking.osm.org.il where the most popular trails are marked:
| Name | Color of the Trail on the Map above | Description | Distance (km) | Total climb and descent (meters) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tzipori River promenade | Red | Ras Ali Loop trail | 3.5 | 102 | It is a one-directional accessible trail. And if you want to shorten it, you can walk any part. |
| Both the blue track and the Israel National Trail connect the two endpoints. You can use any of them. | Green | Start at the parking lot near Ras Ali and use the promenade to walk around the village and visit Mount Alil Mill. | 3.2 | 116 | Most of this track is accessible (besides the path between Mount Alil Mill and Ras Ali). |
| Both the blue track and the Israel National Trail connect the two endpoints. You can use any of them. | Blue | Start at the parking lot near Hermits` mill. Then hike to Ein Yivka and back. | 4.8 | 240 | Both the blue track and the Israel National trail connect the two endpoints. You can use any of them. |
Entrance Fee
Free.
Opening Hours
While visiting the Tzipori River, I did not see any signs. But since there is no artificial light, I suggest visiting only during daylight.
Tzipori River, and especially the promenade area, is a popular place. Thus if you are visiting during a weekend or holidays, I suggest arriving early (preferably before 09:30). The later you arrive, the harder it will be to find parking and a place for a picnic.
Picnic and Barbeque
Most people have picnics and barbeque near the promenade by Hermits` mill. This area is both accessible and close to the parking lot.
Restrooms
None.
When to Visit Tzipori River?
Significant parts of the trails do not have shade. Therefore longer routes are suitable for winter and spring (it is not hot during these seasons, and there are many flowers). And if you want to visit during the summer, I would suggest doing what most people do: go to Ein Yivka (either hike or drive there). At Ein Yivka Spring, you can find a big pool to chill out.
What Should You Bring to the Trail?
Since there is almost no shade, bring plenty of water, sunscreen, and hats. Moreover, it would help if you had water shoes (even for the promenade).
And now, let’s begin hiking.
Ras Ali Loop Trail
We left our car at the parking lot near Ras Ali and continued on the trail to the east. After about 30 meters, we were already on the Tzipori River promenade.
If you turn to the left and go over the bridge (as in the photo above), you will hike around Ras Ali till you reach Mount Alil Mill. That is the Ras Ali loop trail, which we will review in this section.
If you turn to the right, the promenade will take you to Hermits` mill (as in the next photo).
We visited on a Saturday morning, and there were many people. In addition to hikers, groups of cyclists were using the same promenade.
Despite the abundance of water, only a few trees are along the trails. Thus, the tracks are less suitable for summer.
This visit was on a sunny winter day in December 2020. Though several days before our visit, there had been no rain, dirt was on some parts of the paved promenade during our hike. It is one of the reasons why I suggested water shoes.
There are two subjects I want to mention. The first one:
Is the Water in the Tzipori River Clean?
No. Several organizations work on cleaning the Tzipori River, but it is not advised to enter the water or drink it.
Is Tzipori Promenade Clean?
Unfortunately, the answer is again no. You will see many plastic bags, bottles, and other things as you hike. The next photo could show a pastoral view – until you look closely at the tree’s roots and along the promenade.
During our visits, I saw one cleaning worker once. That is not enough. Just take a look at the bottom of the next photo.
But enough with the sad things. Yes, it is not clean, but millions were invested, and a new promenade was built. And I wonder what their plan was (see the following photo).
It could be nice walking in clean water during the summer (but there is hardly any shade; thus, I would not recommend this trail for the summer). And walking in dirty water in the middle of the winter is less pleasant.
About twenty meters from this point, a bridge over the river leads back to this riverbank. Thus, most people did not cross the water. Instead, they continued along this side of the river, in the dirt, till they returned to the promenade.
And here we are already to the west of Ras Ali:
Towards the end of the promenade, you can see Mount Alil Mill.