Tourism Notifications - Central Israel

Ilanot Visitors Center and Botanical Garden - Opening Hours and Holiday Schedule

The Botanical garden is open for travelers between 8:00 and 17:00. Accessible public restrooms are open between 9:00 and 16:00. The visitors center hosts individual travelers and groups, registration is required – call 09-8974800 or email mmilanot@kkl.org.il. Groups can also book guided tours at the botanical garden.
 
During the Israeli holiday season, the visitors center will be closed on the following dates:
 
Septermber 22-27
October 4-8
October 7-10
October 15-17
 
On October 11-13, the center will offer a variety of family activities. On these dates, visitors will not be required to register, and will be allowed to enter on available space basis.

It is strictly forbidden to start any form of fire (including for barbeque purposes) in all areas of the botanical garden, including the picnic area. The park's trails are for travel by foot only – cycling and driving any kind of vehicle is strictly forbidden. Travel with dogs, held by leash, is allowed.

Partial Switch of the Judaean Foothills Paths to 4X4 Status

Due to heavy rains in the winter of 2022, several public paths in the Judaean foothills will switch to 4X4 status. Road signs will provide specific directions along the paths.
(Updated March 7th, 2022)

HaHamisha/Histadrut Hamorim Forest – Closure of Roads

Due to waterline construction work, roads in HaHamisha/Histadrut Hamorim Forest will be closed to vehicles. Update will be posted once the roads will re-open.
(Updated April 6th, 2022)

The Martyrs Forest

The path through the Judea Mountains national park and the Martyrs forest will be closed to motor vehicles, and will be open for foot travelers and bicycle riders only.
(Updated March 21st, 2021)

Hadera Forest – Closure of the Center of the Forest

Due to collapsing trees in the aftermath of a forest fire in September, visitors are not allowed in the center of the forest until further notice.
(Updated April 6th, 2022)

Hulda Forest – Herzl House

Herzl House will be closed to visitors until further notice.

Haruvit Forest - Closure of the Public Restrooms at Halo'hem Car Park

The public restrooms at Halo'hem car park are closed until further notice.
(Updated April 24th, 2022)

Modi'in Forest – Temporal Detour for the Israel National Trail

Due to development works in the bridges of the Anava interchange, a two-kilometer detour has been marked for the Israel National Trail.
(Updated August 8th, 2021)

Aminadav Forest - Ein Hindak

The Ein Hindak spring on the springs path is closed to the public due to a collapse hazard.
(Updated March 13th, 2022)

Tzora-President Forest –Tnufa Mountain

The Tnufa Mountain experienced a severe storm on March 2020. While all trails are open, visitors are cautioned not to stray off them due to the danger of collapsing trees.
(Updated August 8th, 2021)

Sataf - Nahal Sorek Path

The Nahal Sorek path from the Sataf's lower car park to the water cleansing facility is closed to the public due to security hazards.
(Updated April 26th, 2022)

Sataf - Ein Bikura Spring

The Ein Bikura spring is closed to the public due to safety hazards.
(Updated March 13th, 2022)

Ayalon-Canada Park – Entrance to the Park

The gates to the park will open each morning at 05:30 and will close in the evening at 18:00. No vehicles are allowed when the gates are closed. Foot travelers are allowed all throughout the day.
Emergency numbers:
Police – Modi'in Ilit – 08-6314680
Fire Department – Beit Shemesh – 02-5655440
Fire Department – Judea and Samaria – 02-5690600

Ayalon-Canada Park – Opening Hours

The park's gates open on 5:30 and close on 19:00. Vehicles are not allowed in the park while the gates are closed. The park is open 24/7 for foot travelers.

Public restrooms opening hours:

Western Zeitim car park: Monday to Sunday, from 08:00 to 16:00. Restrooms are accessible.

Eastern Zeitim car park: Monday to Sunday, from 08:00 to 16:00.

(Updated March 27th, 2022)

Ayalon-Canada Park – Tel Akad

Tel Akad and the trail leading to it are closed until further notice due to safety hazards.

Britain Park – Public Restrooms Opening Hours

Srigim Parking - Monday to Sunday from 08:00 to 16:00.
Masua Overlook - Monday to Sunday from 08:00 to 16:00, accessible restrooms also available.
Tel Azeka - the restrooms are closed until further notice.
(Updated April 24th, 2022)

Britain Park – The Luzit Caves

The Luzit caves are closed for visitors. Entrance to the Tel Goded caves has been blocked.

Britain Park – Trails

The Red Trail (9446) – from Mitzpe Masua to Hirbet Midras – will be temporarily closed due to safety hazards in crossing road 38 (limited field of vision). KKL-JNF is in search of an alternate route that will serve the many travelers in the area.
The Blue Trail (9445) from Mitzpe Masua to the Luzit Caves – the trail has been blocked due to a ban on visiting the Luzit caves.
The Israel National Trail section, between Tel Goded and the Beit Nir road – the section has been moved in the northwest direction due to safety hazards at the Tel Goded caves area.
(Updated July 27th, 2020)

Adulam Park – Opening of the Hiding Tunnel in Horvat Atri

The hiding tunnel in Horvat Atri is now open to visitors.
(Updated April 12th, 2022)

American Independence Park – Ein Al-Marj

Arrival and travel through Ein Al-Marj near the stalactite tunnel are extremely dangerous. The site is closed for travelers.
(Updated March 21st, 2021)

American Independence Park – Cesar Trail

Entrance to the Cesar Trail, from Horvat Hanut to the Beit Habad car park, along Road 375, is forbidden due to a severe safety hazard.

Ramat Menashe - Har Gahar Car Parks

The road leading from the Har Gahar car parks to road 66 will be closed from May 8th between 7:00 and 16:00 due to forest works until further notice.

The road will reopen at the end of each day, and throughout the weekends. The returns to road 66 will be possible through the park.

(Updated April 27th, 2022)

Closure of the Shen Hapil Car Park

The Shen Hapil car park, underneath Har Nof,  is closed due to interchange development work.
(Updated May 19th, 2022)

Defenders' Forest - Partial Closure of the Main Road

The main road through the forest will be partilly closed due to roadworks and asphalt works.The closure also applies to cycling. We recommend avoiding the road while the works are in progress. The road will be open on weekends (Friday-Saturday).
(Updated May 23rd, 2022)

Ayalon-Canada Park – Overnight Camping Forbidden

Overnight camping for either individuals or groups, is forbidden in the park.

Ramat Menashe Park – Closure of Nahal Hashofet Site

On June 19th 2022, the Nahal Hashofest site will be closed to visitors due to upgrade works. The works will take about eight months to complete. During this time, no visitors will be allowed at the site.

Defenders' Forest - Closure of the Road to the Youth Camp

On June 9, The road to the youth camp will be closed due to roadworks.

Jerusalem Forest - Temporary Closure of the Yosef Weitz Road

As part of the Road 16 works, the Yosef Weitz Road will be closed in the section between the square and Forest Road junction. The road leading from the Square to Har Nof and the road leading to Givat Shaul will remain open.

Closure of Public Restrooms

Restrooms will be closed until further notice in the following sites:

- Mitzpe Modi'in at the Ben-Shemen Forest

- Active recreation car park at the Ben-Shemen Forest

- Eastern and western parts of the Ayalon-Canada Park

- The Zeitim car park at the Tzora forest

- The Srigim car park at the Britain Park

- Mitzpe Masua

Mitzpe Modi'in Amphitheatre - Events

Events cannot be held at the Mitzpe Modi'in Amphitheatre until further notice.

Hulda Forest – Restroom Opening Hours

The restrooms are open on Friday, Saturday and on holidays, from 08:00 to 16:00.

The Archeological Center – Givat Yesha'ayahu

The restrooms at the Archeological Center are open to the public, but are not accessible.

Eshtaol Forest Closure

On Friday, September 9, the Eshtaol KKL-JNF offices and the entrance to the forest from the same direction will be closed due to a ceremony held in the location.

Kadima Forest - Road Pavement

Due to road pavement works, entrance to the forest is allowed only through the entrance to the town of Kadima.

Ayalon-Canada Park – Closed During Yom Kippur

The park will be closed during Yom Kippur, from October 4 at 12:00 to October 6 at 6:00 in the morning.