The Purple Treasure: Itineraries following the blooming of the lupines

Following the flowers: at this time of the year, almost everywhere you go for a walk, you can admire the multitude of carpets of blossoms that cover the ground. The rains that blessed us this winter meant that nature is at its peak, and you can already see cyclamen, anemones, irises and lupines. There are many places in Israel where you can see blossoms up close, but there are some spots that you simply shouldn't miss.

Lupine hill - Tel Shuka

Not far from Adulam Park is Tel Shekha - a mesmerizing paradise of blue-oval lupins, which promises sensory pleasure. The hill got its name because of the ancient settlement of Shekha, whose name is mentioned in the Bible as a target of conquest by Yehoshua ben Nun.

The ascent to the hill is marked with blue trail markings, and it includes an easy circular path for walking, which is 2 kilometers long. You are traveling with small children, be patient at the beginning. On the side of the path you can see the remains of a mosaic from the Byzantine period and even the remains of an ancient citadel from the Roman period.

At this time of the year, the hill is covered in gorgeous lupine blossoms. The sight is nothing short of magical, evoking a sense of wonder and peace, especially when you look up from the wonder of the blossoms and see the open landscapes that await us below. The thick vegetation, the distant hills and mountains form a perfect background for the picture. The summit is also a perfect spot for a picnic.

An interesting point: the cultivated lupine was once considered food for the poor, and it was even mentioned in Tract Shabbat. Not many know that its seeds contain poison, and in order for them to be edible they must be cooked in water. We of course do not recommend trying it at home, but to keep nature as it is and avoid poisoning.

How to get there: By WAZE - "Tel Shekha - Lupine Hill".

Acho Nob Reserve: The Iris of the Swamps

The flowering of the marsh iris is short-lived, so you shouldn't miss it. The marsh iris is one of the plants that are in danger of extinction in Israel, so even just for it it is worth going to the south of the Golan. Acho Nov reserve covers an area of about 760 dunams, and throughout the year you can see over 400 species of seasonal flowers and plants.

If you remember, in the past you could see the marsh iris in other places in Israel, and even in the Sharon region. Today, as mentioned, its flowering is mainly concentrated in the Acho Nov reserve. If you are in the area during this period, take advantage of the momentum to visit, since the bloom is expected to last only until spring. If you don't have enough, you should know that towards the end of March-beginning of April the flowering of the yellow marigolds will begin and later the Syrian canaries will bloom.

The reserve has an easy walking route that will take you to all the interesting points of interest. From the entrance to the reserve you walk along a regulated path. After 400 meters of walking you can reach the heart of the blossom. If you continue along the path of the basalt stones, you will discover another large area of bloom. The walk along the entire route takes about 1.3 kilometers, and is circular.

How to get there: By WAZE - "Iris Nob Marshes Reserve".

Yeruham Reserve

The month of March this year brought with it great weather for trips around nature. March is also known as the blooming time for engagements of all kinds. When we talk about blooming, we usually think of green areas like the Galilee and the Golan, but during the winter the south also has a lot to offer in terms of seasonal blooming. These days, beautiful irises are growing in the Yeruham area. The peak of the bloom is not far from the town, in the Iros Yeruham Reserve. If you are spontaneous and are in the area during this weekend (March 15-16), the reserve has guided tours, workshops and trips on a route suitable for families and local food stalls.

The walking route in the reserve is circular, and it takes about half an hour. Along the path you can see the Yeruham iris, a special species of iris that only grows in this area. The Yeruham Iris is a variety that belongs to the temple irises, a series of show flowers. In the reserve you can see other wild flowers, such as bulbs, tulips and mountain lilies.

How to get there: at WAZE - "Yerucham reserve". Free registration for tours: www.coing.co/Yeruham_Main/131179

Lev Hasharon winter pool

If you live in the center, it is sometimes exhausting to drive two hours to enjoy the blossoms. But the truth is that you don't have to travel far to see a seasonal bloom, and sometimes it's even hiding under our noses. That's why you should get to know Lev Hasharon winter pool park.

The park is located between the settlements of Ein Vared and Ein Sharid, right next to the KKL-Junk Forest. From its name you can understand that the park is at its peak during the rainy winter season. It is actually an area that has been completely restored after being used as a mining site.

The park is spread over 30 dunams, and it offers an experiential trail in nature, Especially after a long period of rain. Today, the pool area is used as a habitat for various species of plants and animals. Along the paths of the park you can see a variety of winged animals, aquatic plants, blooming anemones and poppies in season, carpets of Eretz Israeli lupine and great lavender. Along the park there are Explanatory signs about nature, leisure and picnic complexes.

How to get there: By WAZE - "Lev Hasharon Winter Pool Park".

Nahal Rosh Pina

On the eastern slopes of Mount Canaan, the Rosh Pina stream begins to flow. The stream goes down the slope towards the Rosh Pina colony and ends in the mountainous Jordan. It is about 13.2 kilometers long, with the springs in its upper part: Ein Gay Oni, Ein Pina and Ein Kadan. During this period the river area is filled with water and stream vegetation, such as: holy raspberries, fig trees, olive vineyards and of course beautiful almond trees.

The stream offers a route of up to three hours of walking that is suitable for families, at the beginning of which you can see the remains of a stone-paved path, which led young settlers to the area of the Arab village of Jeoni, which later became Rosh Pina.

After the remains there is a split in the path, when under a fig tree you can see the Gya Oni spring, and after it you can see the blossoming almond trees. If you continue walking you will reach Ein Pina. Further down the stream you will see the remains of the village of Jeoni, where one of the oldest orchards in Israel is located. There also flows the last spring - Ein Kadan, named after the Hakadan flower that blooms next to it. From there, return the same way to the parking lot in Rosh Pina.

How to get there by WAZE : "the Rosh Pina settlement parking lot near the old cemetery - on Derech Hachelmoniot Street".