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Spring Blossoming is Nearby |
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Orchids and tulips in Mount Meron, anemones in the Be'eri Forest, cyclamens in the Menashe Forest Park, dark-purple irises in the Poleg Nature Reserve and in the sand hills of Ness Ziona, Spanish brooms and cistuses in the Galilee and the Judean Plains. This is a very partial list of flowers and blooms at the peak of winter and early spring around Israel. These days, between torrential rains and peaking rays of sun, one can find a wide variety of blooms throughout Israel, with diverse colors, species and shapes. It all depends on where you go and how you travel - by car, by bike or on foot. Those that wish to see the wild blossoms in the valleys, the Galilee or in the south of Israel can go to places such as Mount Meron, the Menashe Forest Park, the Bitronot Ruhama, the Be'eri Forest and other such place. The colors of anemones spread among the greenery like slivers in shades of red, white and purple. This experience is truly worth driving far to see. Orchids, anemones and all the rest In Mount Meron one can see orchids and tulips in flower. Near the end of winter there is a magnificent awakening of bushes and shrubs, including pink and white cistuses and Spanish brooms and Spiny brooms in dominant yellows. It can be reached from road number 899 which connects Nahariya and Sassa. In "the Valley of Peace" in the Menashe Forest you will be welcomed by carpets of cyclamens and anemones in a variety of colors. The concentrations of flowers are overwhelming and create a celebration of color and views. It is recommended to incorporate a hike through the Shofet River and to visit the Emi Spring located inside the park near the western fence of Kibbutz haZorea. Another recommended hiking route in the area is the one that passes through the Mishmar haEmek Forest and climbs to the volcano. A visit to the Palmach cave in Kibbutz Mismar haEmek can be combined with this route. Access is through road number 66 which connects the Yokneam junction with Megiddo junction. Not far from there, at the entrance to the Megiddo airport, there are vibrantly-colored carpets of anemones in red, white, pink and purple. Entrance is through highway 65. For those interested in adding a beautiful hiking path to this trip there is the path along the Harod River. Continue along road number 675 up to the Jezreel Spring, or even go further east on the scenic road leading to Beit She'an. Amazing blooms can also be expected along Mount Gilboa's scenic road. The Iris Nature Reserve and the Sand Hills Places of spectacular blossomings can also be found in central Israel. During February, the dark-purple irises bloom in the Poleg Nature Reserve near Netanya and in the Sharon Park near Kibbutz Shefayim. Another unique blossoming trail is on the border between Rishon LeZion and Ness Ziona. A little east of the Gan haVradim junction, behind the "Paz" gas station, stands the Sand Hills Reserve. At the end of winter it offers an abundance of brooms laden with white flowers. Among these there are occasional concentrations of dark-purple irises. The reserve preserves the last remnants of a continuity of sand hills that were found in this area. Near the neighborhoods there is a sort of green island with pathways next to which the amazing blooms can be seen, as well as the hills that used to be a nesting place for different species of birds such as rollers, kingfishers and bee-eaters. On and at the feet of the cliff one can view the rare blossoming of the dark-purple iris, the likes of which can be found in only a handful of places. To watch videos of tours in areas of blooms:
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