Line © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), checked by Global Adventurer.
The walk
From the car park by the B'nai B'rith Cave (מערת בני ברית), the Martyrs' Cave with its Holocaust memorial and the Anne Frank memorial beside it, climb north on the path marked blue and with the Israel National Trail through the cliff band above the cave. At the North Scenic Road leave the National Trail and follow the black marks west and north round the slopes of Mount Karmila, with views across the Judean hills. At the hairpin at the head of Nahal Karmila go left down the green-marked valley, and at the bottom turn left on the red-marked paved road along Nahal Kesalon back to the cave.
It is 5.8 km round with 213 m of ascent; allow about 2 hours. The grade is Easy: a steep, rocky climb at the start, then forest roads and a stony valley path.
KKL has closed the steep part of the Martyrs' Trail south of the cave, which this walk does not use. The valley road crosses the stream at a ford that can run after heavy rain. There is shade in the forest but no water: carry it.
Entry is free. There is no bus to the cave: the nearest stop is Eshtaol junction on Route 38, about 3 km away. By car, turn off Route 395 just east of Eshtaol onto the narrow road along Nahal Kesalon.
Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.
Good to know
- The B'nai B'rith Cave, or Martyrs' Cave, holds a memorial to the Jewish communities destroyed in the Holocaust; beside it is a memorial to Anne Frank
- Nahal Kesalon and Nahal Karmila are deep valleys cut into the hard dolomite of the Judean hills, wooded with KKL pines and natural oak and terebinth
- The walk follows the Israel National Trail for its first climb before turning west along the North Scenic Road
- The cave is about 3 km from Eshtaol junction on Route 38, reached by a narrow paved road along Nahal Kesalon
Getting there
Start: B'nai B'rith Cave car park, Nahal Kesalon. 31.77705, 35.03205
Directions to the start
Google Maps Apple Maps Waze Moovit
Waze drives you to the car park; Moovit has the buses and trains to the start.
Places to stay nearby
Rooms in and around B'nai B'rith Cave car park: Booking.com → Expedia → Hotels.com →
Affiliate links: if you book, Global Adventurer earns a small commission at no cost to you.
Paths change, and the weather decides the day. The line and figures come from OpenStreetMap and our own checks; take a map, check the forecast, and turn back if it isn't right.