Ein Kfira
This peaceful zone, full of sheep and fruit trees, is located just few minutes
from the highway, and very close to Nataf, the village of Avrum Burg (Smolani,
remember ?).
Near Nataf there are two springs. There is a spring called Ein Nataf, just
by the first houses of the village, and there is another one, called Ein
Kfira. This is the spring I want to tell you about. It is about 20 minutes
from the road, and walking there brings you back in time to the primitive
life of the shephards and sheep. No fear is felt (I hope nobody is listening
up there...), and the water pipes out from the spring like it did thousands
of years ago.
It seems that this waddi was one of the ways Yehudah Ha-Makabi managed to
attack the Romans by surprise. When you're there, you understand why. It
is a narrow canyon, with vegetation and hiding spots along it's waddi, and
it really connects the mountains with the valley of Ayalon.
Near the spring there's a tomb of a Sheich, and it is now a small praying
spot. From the bottom of the waddi, in that place, you can see the upper
houses of Katna, which is a Palestinian Authority village.
Don't go there by yourself, but try not to be fearful...
How to get there:
-
From Tel Aviv: It's recommended to get to Abu Gosh through the bridge, and
not to cross the highway after Shoresh. In the middle of Abu Gosh, there's
a small junction to Nataf/Ma'ale Ha'chamisha. Drive that way. After 3km,
there will be a black signed (MAPAT SIMUN SHVILIM) path. Leave the car there,
and walk down to Ein Kfira, about 1200m in the green signed path.
-
From Jerusalem - turn in Abu Gosh junction, and like above.
What else to see:
-
Abu Gosh - a christian+muslem village, peaceful and full of good restaurant.
Remeber: the good restaurant is always full of people, but it's worth waiting...
-
Kiryat Ye'arim Church and Monastery, on the hill top, named after the biblical
place where Aron Ha'kodesh was left for some time before getting to the Temple.
-
Memorial for the road pavers to Jerusalem, commanded by Y. Rabin z"l.
-
The Monastery and Church of Abu Gosh, in the middle of the village.
Where to eat:
-
Abu Gosh has some good restaurants. It seems the most known is "Abu-Shukri".
It has to be the original, at the eastern end of the village.
-
There's a new restaurant at Nataf, called - "The Kitchen". It seems something
good: mixed spiced food, with italian menu.
You can look at the spring's picture. On the background - the Makam (holy
place):
It is time you buy yourself a piece of the most important tool:
Enjoy it.