Line © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), drawn by Global Adventurer.
The hike
From Parking A in the southern half of Beit Guvrin-Maresha National Park (בית גוברין), walk up Tel Maresha, the site of the ancient town of Maresha, and past the cave entrances along its slopes: the dwelling house cave and the Apollophanes cave among them. A path then joins the park's two halves across Road 35, and in the northern half passes the ruined Church of Sandahana and the bell caves, the bell-shaped quarries dug in the soft chalk, before returning by Parking D and the south side.
It is 5.7 km round with 138 m of ascent; allow about 2 hours, longer if you go into the caves. The grade is Easy: mostly paths over chalk, with some steps.
The soft chalk under these hills has been quarried for 2,000 years and more, leaving thousands of caves: cisterns, olive presses, dwellings, columbaria and burial caves. The caves of Maresha and Beit Guvrin are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Adults pay 31 NIS and children 16 NIS. In winter time the park closes at 16:00 (15:00 on Fridays and holiday eves); last entry is at least an hour before, and the park is closed on Yom Kippur. Carry a torch for the caves.
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 soft chalk under the hills of Beit Guvrin has been quarried for 2,000 years and more, leaving thousands of caves: cisterns, olive presses, dwellings, columbaria, burial caves and the bell-shaped quarries
- Tel Maresha is the site of the ancient town of Maresha, with its underground system of houses and workshops; the park lies on both sides of Road 35
- The Church of Sandahana, from the Crusader and Byzantine period, stands among the ruins of the northern area
- The caves of Maresha and Beit Guvrin are a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Getting there
Start: Beit Guvrin-Maresha National Park, Parking A. 31.59483, 34.89590
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.
Paths change, and the weather decides the day. The line is drawn along OpenStreetMap paths and the figures are worked out from it; take a map, check the forecast, and turn back if it isn't right.