Aminadav Forest

The Aminadav Forest covers about 7,000 dunams in the Sorek-Shalmon Ridge west of Jerusalem. Together with the natural groves in the area, it is the largest open area near Jerusalem. The forest has abundant sites, including tiered springs, agricultural terraces and abandoned orchards. Scattered throughout the forest are remnants of the past, such as wine presses, olive presses and lime kilns. KKL-JNF has built several recreation areas in the forest that also include wheelchair-accessible picnic tables. Among the forest sites are the Yad Kennedy Memorial, the Arthur Rubinstein Monument, HaGitot Farm and HaMa’ayanot Trail – a trail for advanced hikers where you can descend to Moshav Even Sapir and Ein Hindak. Another trail descends to Nahal Refaim and Ein Lavan.
 
Ways to access the forest: A. Yad Kennedy gate - the Kennedy Memorial is located about 500 m west of the access road to Moshav Aminadav (Route 3877). B. Even Sapir gate - enter via the access road to Moshav Even Sapir (opposite Hadassah Hospital, Route 396). Drive about 600 m on the access road to the moshav and turn left onto the dirt road leading up to the Cairo Martyrs Grove. The road is suitable for private vehicles.
 
Se'adim Recreation Area – near Hurvat Se'adim (Se'adim Ruins). It has picnic tables, including some that are wheelchair-accessible.
 
Cairo Martyrs Recreation Area – west of Hurvat Se'adim. A disabled-accessible trail about one km long starts at the recreation area, as do several bicycle paths.
 
Active Recreation Area – west of the Cairo Martyrs Recreation Area. The site contains sports facilities.
Cairo Martyrs recreation area at Aminadav Forest. Photograph: Yakov Shkolnik, KKL-JNF Photo Archive