British Park - Scenic trails in Israel's Heartland

The plain consists of two distinct landscape units: the lower plain, to the west, where the hills are lower and separated by broad riverbeds; and the upper plain, where the valleys are deeper and the hills rise to a height of between 250 and 450 meters above sea level. British Park sits astride both these areas, as its confines include the geological fault at the foot of the range of hills from Azeka to the south of Ramat Avishur that constitutes the meeting point between the two plains. Around 25 million years ago, in the Miocene epoch, the sea began to flood this region, flattening the tops of the hills in the lower plain and creating an ancient shoreline along the boundary of the upper plain.

The park is situated in a climate area defined as semi-humid, where the weather is warmer than in the Judean Hills. Winter temperatures are pleasant, and only rarely fall below freezing point. The summers are hot. Average annual precipitation in the region is around 490 mm.

In antiquity, settlement in the plain was well developed. The population’s main sources of water were the wells and cisterns hewn into the soft chalk rock that are among the characteristic features of the area. British Park is situated in an ecological corridor of contiguous land that links different flora and fauna habitats and allows animals and seeds to pass from one region to another. Apart from nature reserves and parks, this area includes unprotected stretches of open ground and it is this varied combination that allows the local ecological system to continue to function.

The slopes around Ramat Avishur are covered in a dense well-developed woodland of Israeli common oak (Quercus calliprinos), mastic trees, terebinths (Pistacia palaestina), broad-leaved Phillyrea (Phillyrea latifolia), Styrax trees (Styrax officinalis) and buckthorn. The woodland is especially dense on the northern slope, where Greek strawberry trees (Arbutus andrachne) can be found as an addition to the mix. In the more open areas hairy rockrose (Cistus creticus) and sage-leaved rockrose (Cistus salviifolius) grow in profusion and in winter and spring, a host of brightly-colored flowers comes into bloom, including anemones, cyclamen and tulips.

The abandoned groves and orchards that still flourish among the agricultural terraces constitute a separate unit of remarkably vigorous and important vegetation. Significant areas, especially those to the west of the park’s Scenic Route, are covered with orchard trees such as almond, fig, olive and pomegranate, with prickly-pear cacti also much in evidence as boundary hedges. Large carob and tamarisk trees flourish in the near vicinity.

In the 1950s, KKL-JNF planted the northern section of the park with conifers (primarily Jerusalem pine) and carob trees – the latter being designed to provide fodder for the cattle raised by local residents. In the 1960s, eucalyptus groves were planted in the valleys sloping down from Masua towards Luzit.

Hurvat Shikalon

On the summit of this hill, cisterns, wine presses, capitals and the remains of an olive press can be seen.

Mitzpe Masua

The KKL-JNF observation tower provides a magnificent view of the expanses of the park, the Coastal Plain and the Judean Hills. Mitzpe Masua, which lies between Lachish and Azeka, was named after the inscription found at Tel Lachish, which reads “…We are watching over the beacon of Lachish according to the signals which my lord gave, for Azeka is not seen.” The restaurant at the site is closed on Shabbat.

Hurvat Tzura

The ruins on this wide flattened hilltop that provides a stunning view may be those of a farm.

Tel Goded

The ruins of this ancient settlement have been identified with the Biblical city of Moreshet-Gat, the home of the prophet Micah. Large numbers of caves, together with an extensive underground concealment system, have been hewn into the tel and its slopes. At the foot of the tel, not far from the road, the remains of the aqueduct that brought water from the Hebron Hills springs to Beit Guvrin are still visible. There is a magnificent view from the top of Tel Goded, which, at 398 meters, is the highest point in British Park.

Ramat Avishur

At around 350 meters above sea level, this is the highest ridge in British Park, and it reveals splendid views to both east and west. The slopes of the ridge are covered in well-developed Mediterranean woodland and scrubland. A hikers’ footpath along the top of the ridge links Mitzpe Masua in the north to Tel Goded in the south.

Hurvat Aqaba

Ancient ruined buildings, cisterns, caves and agricultural sites. One of the bell caves contains the remains of an olive press.

1. Woodland: This section of the park attracts the largest number of visitors who want to spend time in the open air; KKL-JNF has equipped it with recreation areas and sports facilities.
   
2. The park’s heartland: This is the area around the Ruins of Kidon. Slated for conservation, it is characterized by natural scrubland and orchards.
   
3. The orchards: A series of groves and orchards in the area of the Segafim and Luzit caves that preserve the ancient farming culture typical of the Judean Plain. This area is earmarked for conservation, study and non-intensive development.
   
4. Ramat Avishur: Ramat Avishur, the highest ridge in the park, is covered with well-developed natural scrubland and slated for preservation. The plan for the park was approved by the planning authorities and has been accorded statutory recognition. According to the articles of association that govern the park, the site’s prime objective is to conserve its flora, fauna and cultural resources for future generations.

The foundation stone of the park was laid in 1995. Since then KKL-JNF has been establishing recreational sites, picnic areas, playgrounds, footpaths and small sports facilities at the site, together with a Biblical route at Tel Azeka. Entrance gates have been added at various points and at each gate is a map on which selected routes are marked in order to guide visitors to the most attractive and interesting spots within the park. The main park road leads from the northern entrance (from Route no. 383) to the southernmost edge of the site, near Kibbutz Beit Guvrin.

Taking the Scenic Trail

This scenic route crosses the park lengthwise from the northern gate (on Route no. 383, about a kilometer to the west of Azeka Junction) to the park’s southernmost extremity near Kibbutz Beit Guvrin. The road, which is marked in green, is suitable for all types of vehicle. The paved road ascends from the gate and passes by the Shaked (“Almond”) Recreational Area and other leisure spots.

Farther on, a dirt road branches off, turning left towards the foot of Tel Azeka. Keen walkers can hike from the adjacent parking lot to the foot of the tel, then walk up to its summit. The Scenic Trail continues on to Tel Azeka, meets up with the paved road and crosses it, continues on to the Parpar (“Butterfly”) Recreational Area (which crosses the Srigim-Agur Highway (Route no. 353)), goes on to the Srigim Recreational Area and passes by Hurvat Aqaba. If we climb to the top of the hill we shall find a recreational area and playground equipment.

The path continues and meets up with the road that ascends to Mitzpe Masua. Here, we turn right and follow the road up to Mitzpe Masua, where several footpaths branch off in different directions: eastwards, to Hurvat Midras (marked in red); westwards, to the Luzit Caves (marked in blue); southwards, to Tel Goded (marked in green); and northwards, to Tel Azeka (marked in black). The Israel Trail, which is marked in orange, blue and white, crosses the park from Tel Azeka, via Mitzpe Masua and Tel Goded, on its way to Beit Guvrin.

1. Our first route starts at Route no. 383, heading westwards from the Azeka Junction. After the junction, a dirt road can be seen climbing up towards Tel Azeka. Some sections of it are very challenging for cyclists!
   
2. An eight-kilometer circular route of intermediate difficulty. Start at Mitzpe Masua, descend to the level of the lower parking lot and turn southwards until you meet up with the red-marked trail, where you turn to the west (i.e., to the right) and follow the signs towards Mitzpe Masua. Another turn on to a green-marked trail will complete the circle to Mitzpe Masua. KKL-JNF signposts will help you find your way (Note: the colors on the signposts are internal KKL-JNF markings, not route indicators). The colors you need to follow appear both on the signs along the route and on the forest maps that can be found in special boxes at the entrances to the park.
   
3. A three-kilometer route, easy to intermediate on the difficulty scale. Start from Parpar (“Butterfly”) Junction on Route no. 353, where Britannia Park is divided in two. The road has signposts from the Public Works Department. Along the route from Moshav Givat Yeshayahu in the direction of Moshav Agur, turn left, then cycle along the main park road past the Zeitim (“Olive”) Recreation Area and Mistor HeHaruv (“Carob Hideaway” – a “hide” from which wild animals can be observed as they come to drink at the pool provided for the purpose). From here, you can continue to the Srigim Recreational Area. If you have the strength and energy left, you can continue for another two kilometers along the main park road via the Aqav Bell Caves. Your finishing point is Mitzpe Masua.