En Afek Nature Reserve
En Afek Nature Reserve is a popular and beautiful wetland nature reserve. It preserves remnants of the Na'aman River wetlands that were once part of the larger Akko (Acre) Valley marshes. The reserve is known for its rich biodiversity, including water buffalo, amphibians, and various bird species. It features a short movie, a scenic walking trail, and a walkway built on a bridge over the swamp. You can also walk up to Tel Afek.
The swamp, pools and Na’aman Stream are created by tens of springs that arise from the ground. The Hexagonal Spring is an example you will pass. These springs are fed in turn by the Na’aman aquifer, which draws rain water from the Western Lower Galilee and eastern Acre valley.
The swamps in the En Afek area were partially drained in the early 20th century as part of broader efforts to combat malaria and make the land suitable for agriculture. The drainage was carried out by Jewish pioneers who settled in the region, following similar projects across the country. The project involved digging channels to redirect water from the swamps into the Na'aman River and ultimately into the Mediterranean Sea. Pumps were used to remove standing water and accelerate the drying process. Eucalyptus trees were also planted, as they absorb large amounts of water, although their effectiveness in drainage was limited. Once the area was dried, it was used for agriculture. Parts of the wetland remained, and in later years, conservation efforts led to the establishment of En Afek Nature Reserve to protect the remaining marsh ecosystem.
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Time: About 2¼ hours, including the tel
Distance: Just over 2¼ km, including the tel. The nature trail is 1.2 km.
Type of hike: Circular
Difficulty: There is a non-steep incline to the tel. Otherwise everything is on the flat. The path in the nature reserve is suitable for a stroller.
Directions and parking: Enter “En Afek” into Waze. The trailhead is close to the parking lot.
Admission: This is a site of the Israel Nature and Park Authority. It is open in the summer from Sunday to Thursday and Saturday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday and holidays eves 8 a.m. to 4 pm. The site closes one hour earlier in the winter. Admission is 24 NIS for adults, children 20 NIS, students 20 NIS and Israeli senior citizens 12 NIS. There are plenty of shaded picnic benches close to the parking lot and restrooms. A nearby kiosk sells hot and cold drinks and snack foods. The park brochure, which can be requested in English, contains a map of the trail and points of interest. The park’s contact number is 04-877 8226. This is their website.
Public transport: Enter “Ein Afek Nature Reserve” into Moovit. The closest bus stop is a short distance from the park.
The mill and Metzuda Pool
The trail:
The various stops have signs with short descriptions in Hebrew and Arabic, but not in English, and also have QR codes that lead to short audio descriptions in Hebrew. The choice לבאזנה מוורגשת is a bit easier to understand.
The brochure mentions the many flowers and animals that live here, although this is not particularly helpful, as there is no picture identification in the brochure. Short identification booklets for the plants and animals in Israel are available for sale in the kiosk.
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The trail begins at the ancient flour mill. In the mill building is a display of traditional agricultural tools. A movie is shown throughout the day, which shows a drop of water on its journey through the Nature Reserve.
The foundations of the mill are Roman. The Crusader Templars fortified the structure in the format of flour mills common in Europe in the Middle Ages. They also created a large dam that blocked the stream and created a lake behind it to increase the efficiency of the mill. The water from this lake was directed by a channel to the water wheel that operated the mill stones. The Crusaders used the land around for growing grains and sugar cane. The structure was renovated in the 18th century in the Ottoman period during the time of Dahar al-Amar and Ahmed al-Jezzar. The defense position on the roof was built by the British during the 1936 to 1939 Arab riots.
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When you come to Buffalo Lookout sign, it is worth climbing the hill to see the water buffalo grazing on the other side of the hill belowl. Water Buffalo are members of the bull family that like to live in mud and water. Before the swamp was drained, herds of water buffalo lived in this area.
The walkway on the Great Lake
Water buffalo have been introduced into the park
The Hexagonal Spring. It is from many springs such as this that the river and marsh is formed.
The clarid fish can breath oxygen from the air from a special respiratory system developed from gills.
The trail to Tel Afek
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After you have completed the trail through the marsh, consider climbing up to the top of Tel Afek. The trail begins close to the restrooms. The map in the brochure shows a circular trail around the forested area, but this trail was not cleared when we were here and so the path was just a there and back trial. Once you get to the top of the tel there is an observation area with a magnificent view of the Acre Valley and signs identifying the towns and settlements within your view.
The tel is commonly identified with Afek, and it was inhabited by Canaanites beginning in the Middle Bronze Age. It was strategically located along ancient trade routes connecting the Galilee, the coastal plains, and the Jezreel Valley. The Canaanites a purple dye industry and also manufactured. Afek is mentioned in the book of Joshua as one of the Canaanite cities the Israelites were unable to conquer. Given its location near the ancient port city of Acre (Akko), the area was influenced by both Israelite and Phoenician cultures. During this time, the settlement continued to exist, but was overshadowed by larger nearby cities. During the Crusader period, the area was divided between the Hospitallers and Templars, and each order built its own mill and dam. During the Second Crusader period, the area specialized in growing barley and sugar cane. It was during this period that the mill was fortified and a watch tower was also built on the tel. The area was neglected following the fall of the Crusader kingdom until the Ottoman period.
The Eshel or Tamerisk Pool
At the top of the tel