Sataf: Ein Bikura, Ein Sataf and the terraces

From the upper car park by KKL's forest centre at Sataf (סטף), go down to the green-marked Village Trail and after a few minutes turn left onto the red-marked Shomrot trail. It runs east through olive terraces to a pine-shaded view over the valley of Nahal Sorek, drops through a narrow walled gully past a rebuilt stone field hut, and swings back west along the hillside. Keep on the red to the big pool of Ein Bikura, go down the green past the watered vegetable plots to Ein Sataf and the ruins of the old village, then climb the green Village Trail back to the car park.

It is 3.2 km round with 101 m of ascent; allow about an hour. The grade is Easy: rocky hill paths, steep in places, with a few low rock steps.

Drinking the spring water and bathing in the pools are forbidden, and the paths are slippery after rain. The tunnel behind Ein Bikura is dark and wet: take a torch if you go in. Works in Nahal Sorek have closed the valley path below Sataf, but not this walk.

The site is free, with toilets and a café at the upper car park. Tnufa bus 183 from Jerusalem stops at Sataf junction, about 200 m away, on weekdays. The almonds on the terraces flower in January and February.

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.