Umm el-Umdan, Givat Sher, Beit Shana

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Photo ofUmm el-Umdan, Givat Sher, Beit Shana

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BushcraftIsrael

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Trail stats

Distance: 1.96 mi
Elevation gain: 194 ft
Technical difficulty: Moderate
Elevation loss: 243 ft
Max elevation: 832 ft
TrailRank: 44
Min elevation: 722 ft
Trail type: One Way

Moving time: 48 minutes
Time: one hour 37 minutes
Coordinates: 515
Uploaded: September 9, 2021
Recorded: September 2021

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near Re‘ut, Central District (Israel)

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Trail photos

Itinerary description

An easy to moderate/hard hike depending on the path you take. There is a parking lot at the start of the hike. I recommend following the trail until the 3-way intersection before the red trail and return via the black/green trails. Continuing to Beit Shana via the red trail (and eventually straying off the trail completely) is far more difficult. If you continue, make sure to bring long pants and closed shoes.

You can use the Amud Anan app (https://amudanan.co.il/) while hiking to find additional points of interest that I have not marked.

Other recommended trails in this area:
-https://www.wikiloc.com/hiking-trails/khirbat-al-buwayra-khvrbt-baryt-83137174
-https://www.wikiloc.com/hiking-trails/modiin-hills-various-locations-83953118
-https://www.wikiloc.com/hiking-trails/wadi-anabe-beit-anabe-and-barphilia-84999361
-https://www.wikiloc.com/hiking-trails/titorah-hill-modiin-86314555

Um-el-Umdan:
A second century village and synagogue (with a mikveh).

Givat Sher:
Watchtowers, wells, grape presses, and various stone carins. Assumed to have been the location of a large grape industry.

Beit Shana:
Ruins from around the time of the the Bar-Kochba Revolt and a village destroyed during Operation Dani.

The trail is not particularly shaded so it is recommended to bring a hat and water during the summer months.

Be careful as there are many open pits along the way especially when deviating from the marked trails.

Waypoints

Parking Lot

Convenient parking lot at the start of the trail.

Fruit Trees

An orchard with various fruit plants (pomegranates, olives, grapes, and figs).

Wine Press

Ancient wine press with mosaic floor.

Ancient Houses

Umm-el-Umdan Synagogue

Synagogue from the Hashmonean period.

Umm-el-Umdan Synagogue

Mikveh (purification bath)

Entrance to Givat Sher

Start of the Green Trail

Intersection Green/Black Trails

Continue here on the Green trail.

Grape Press

Green Trail Through the Wall

Old Well

Watchtower

There are a few of these scattered around the site if you look for them.

Ruined Walls

Tree with Shade

Viewpoint of Modiin

Ruined Walls

Possible Mikveh

Intersection Green/Black/Red Trails

I recommend returning via the Black or Green trail at this point. The red trail is far more intense.

Ruined Walls

Potential Well in this Area (couldn't find it)

Burial Cave

View of Nof Ayalon

Winepress

Old Well

Continuation of the Red Trail

Red Trail

Hole in Fence

The Red trail ends here. Everything past this point is full of shrubs and brambles. Enter at your own risk (and be careful while passing the barbed wire).