Amud Stream Nature Reserve

October 22nd 2014

In tranquility and beauty, the Amud Stream (known in Hebrew as Nachal Amud) flows with water the entire year. This is unusual in Israel where there is generally no rainfall from early spring to early autumn. The Amud Stream Nature Reserve is situated in the Galilee, which is known for being green. Even there, the Amud Stream’s orchards and fruit trees are particularly verdant and are sometimes referred to as a “miniature Garden of Eden.”  When hiking in the area, you’ll see apple, lemon, date, pomegranate, plum, olive and fig trees as well as grape vineyards.

Hiking in the nature reserve is recommended for hikers of moderate ability. The trails, established and maintained by the Israel Parks Association, are two to four hours in length and are considered moderately strenuous. Family-friendly overnight camping is available on-site for a very modest fee and the park provides portable toilets, water faucets and a snack bar.

Amud Stream was declared a nature reserve in 1972 and covers over 2,000 acres. The Amud Stream itself runs approximately 12 miles and empties into the Kinneret (Sea of Galilee). Its length is a significant segment of the trail known as “From Sea to Sea,” which can be hiked from the Mediterranean Sea to Sea of Galilee.

Amud is the Hebrew word for pillar and, when viewed from the side, the huge pillar for which Amud Stream was named looks like a man’s profile. Another highlight of the hike is coming upon the year- round spring known as either En Yakim or En Tina. It is here where most of the fruit trees are found. There are sites of historical interest in the nature reserve such as an ancient flour mill, a wading pool, and a wool mill that was used by the Jews in Tzfat many years ago.

The Amud Stream Nature Reserve is open year-round. National park staff recommend that the best time of year to visit is the spring. Be sure to start your hike early in the day. High school students and groups of Israeli soldiers hike the stream on official group trips, so chances are excellent that you’ll run into a group of young Israelis on your visit.