The Yatir Forest, covering 40,000 dunams on the border of the desert, is the largest forest planted by man in Israel. KKL-JNF planted many species of trees in the forest, including conifers, special species of eucalyptus that blossom with spectacular red blooms, the Atlantic terebinth, salt cedar, Negev acacia and umbrella thorn, the Christ's thorn jujube, carob and pistachio trees. The forest is rich in sites including Hurvat Anim (Anim Ruins) with an ancient synagogue, the ancient industrial zone of Hurvat Anim, Hurvat Yatir (Yatir Ruins) and HaYa’aranim (Foresters) Fortress. Along the scenic roads in the forest, KKL-JNF has set up recreation areas with picnic tables, some of which are wheelchair-accessible. In the Foresters Fortress there is a Field and Forest Education Center of the KKL-JNF.
The main recreation areas run along the main forest road.
Deborah Recreation Area – picnic tables, some of them wheelchair-accessible.
Scandinavia Recreation Area – picnic tables, some of them wheelchair-accessible.
Directions: A. From Route 31, about 2.3 km east of the entrance to Hura, turn north onto Route 316 and drive about 13.5 km until you reach the Foresters Fortress. B. From Meitar Forest, on the western scenic road, which is about 15.5 km long. Enter the scenic road from Route 60, about 2.3 km from the entrance to the village of Meitar.
HaBor Recreation Area – a road that branches northward from the Shoket-Arad road (Route 31) leads to the Yatir Forest. About 5 km from Shoket Junction, turn north (left ) if you are coming from Shoket Junction and right if you are coming from Arad. Drive on the main road of Yatir Forest, pass the Foresters' House, turn right towards the village of Shani/Livneh, pass Hurvat Anim (on the right), go over a small bridge and turn right onto the Reservoir Trail, which is marked in blue. Just before the cistern, descend to the right onto the HaMitkanim HaHakla’im (Agricultural Installations) Trail. Along a 600 m. stretch is a wine press, water cisterns, crushing stones in an olive press that once produced oil, sheep pens, caves, and at the end - the ancient synagogue of Anim. The recreation area has picnic tables, barbecue facilities, water taps and a playground.