Our Hike in Wadi Qelt (Ein Prat) will take you through Springs, Pools, deep Canyons, and an old Monastery. If you are not up to a long Hike, use our GuideBook to visit the main attractions of Wadi Qelt without sweating.
| Hike Metrics | |
|---|---|
| Distance | 9 Km |
| Short versions | 1 - 5 Km |
| Climb | 200 m |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Best | Dec - Mar |
| Possible | Nov - Apr (Short version - All year) |
| Location |  |
| Start Point | |
| Self-Guided Hike | |
WADI QELT
Ancient times:
Wadi Qelt contains monasteries and Several aqueducts (The oldest dating to the 2nd century BC). The aqueducts transported water from its three main springs all the way to Jericho. It was also home to the winter palaces of the Hasmonean kings and Herod the Great. (Further reading in Wikipedia)
Today:
Wadi Qelt is one of the most exciting hikes in Israel. You have it all in one route:
* The Faran Monastery.
* Ein Prat Spring.
* Old Aqueducts.
* Deep pools with great swimming opportunities.
* Dramatic desert scenery.
* The classic view on St. George’s Monastery.
What can one ask for more? And all of these goodies just 20 Km from Jerusalem.
Wadi Qelt contains monasteries and Several aqueducts (The oldest dating to the 2nd century BC). The aqueducts transported water from its three main springs all the way to Jericho. It was also home to the winter palaces of the Hasmonean kings and Herod the Great. (Further reading in Wikipedia)
Today:
Wadi Qelt is one of the most exciting hikes in Israel. You have it all in one route:
* The Faran Monastery.
* Ein Prat Spring.
* Old Aqueducts.
* Deep pools with great swimming opportunities.
* Dramatic desert scenery.
* The classic view on St. George’s Monastery.
What can one ask for more? And all of these goodies just 20 Km from Jerusalem.
Do you want to sleep within walking distance from Wadi Qelt? Check out our Accommodations Guide
Learn more about all the above sites in our Full Touring GudieBook
HIKE DESCRIPTION:
Get the Hiking Map and GPS file for just 5$
- Important Note: Most of the hike is on rocky terrain. There are some exposed sections equipped with metal handles.
- Starting point – parking area at Ein Prat Natural Reserve (1). (entrance fee required)
- Follow the ‡Blue‡ marker upstream on the road for 200 m to reach Ein Prat (Spring). (2)
EIN PRAT
Ein Prat is the biggest spring of Wadi Qelt. The flow of the spring is constant, and the influence of the seasons is minimal. The daily flow rate is about 1,500 cubic meters per day on average. (A unique quantity for this desert area!)
As of 1927, Ein Prat supplied drinking water to the eastern neighborhoods of Jerusalem. The use of spring water halted after the connection of East Jerusalem to the water supply of West Jerusalem. The original “pump house” is today the office building of the National Park Authority and is used as a tourist service center.
- Hanging Up on the southern cliffs high above the valley, you can see the Faran monastery.
FARAN MONASTERY
The monastery of Faran (also known as the Chariton Monastery) is the first Christian monastery to be built in the Judean Desert around 330 CE. The monastery was built by the monk Chariton, who was considered the founder of the Judean desert nuns. The monastery was destroyed by the Persians in 614 CE, but was rebuilt at the end of the 19th century by the Russian Orthodox Church.
- Retrace to the starting point and continue with the ‡Red‡ markers downstream for about 700 m until the junction with the ‡Blue‡ marker. (3)
- Keep right on the ‡Blue‡ marker into the canyon.
- Stay with the ‡Blue‡ markers for about 3.5 Km along the stream until the junction with the ‡Red‡ markers. (4).
- For the short version, walk as long as you feel like along the canyon and retrace your steps.
- This is the most exciting part of the route. The canyon becomes deeper, with many small waterfalls and pools.
Get the Hiking Map and GPS file for just 5$
- From time to time, you should notice the ruins of ancient aqueducts that carried the water of Ein Prat to Jericho in ancient times.
- At point (4) The ‡Red‡ markers continue downstream all the way to St. George monastery. A distance of about About 12 Km.
- However, we turn left on the ‡Red‡ markers. Cross the stream and climb up on the north ridge of the canyon.
- This trail is much less crowded and offers a fantastic Birds-Eye view over the Canyon you just walked!!
- Follow this trail for 3.5 Km back to point (3).
- Continue an additional 700 m to reach your car. (1)
- Complement the day with the classic view of St. George Monastery from cliffs on the opposite side of the Canyon.
- Check out the full details in our GuideBook.
- Use the extra maps of the viewpoint area that are supplied together with the detailed hiking map to find your way easily.
Get this Hike's eBook for just 5$ !
Inside the PDF: (Just 5$)
- Quality Hiking Maps
- GPS Navigation App
- Zoom Maps for critical areas
- GPX File
- Hike Description
- All in English!
- Offline use
- HD Quality
- Optimized for Mobiles
Automatic immediate download link