The delightful spring of Ein Pik and the Afik Overlook

This short walk takes you on an extremely beautiful path from the partially reconstructed ruins of the Syrian, but formerly Jewish, village of Pik to Ein Pik spring. There are wonderful views of the Ein Gev wadi from the village. You can also walk or drive from the Pik parking lot to the nearby Afik Overlook in Kibbutz Afik, from where there are also impressive views. Adjacent to this overlook is a former Syrian officers' building, which was visited by the famous Israeli spy Eli Cohen and is now a stop on the Eli Cohen Trail.

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WALK FROM PIK TO EIN AFIK:

Time: At least 45-60 minutes there and back.

Distance: 0.90 Km there and back.

Type of walk: The same trail there and back.

Difficulty: There is an easy descent to the spring on stone and metal steps with railings on both sides. The short final section to the spring is slightly difficult and there are boulders to climb over.

Directions: Enter “Ein Pik” into Waze. This will lead you to the parking area. There may be a portable restroom here.

Public transport: There is a bus between Mevo Hama and Katzrin that stops at Afik Junction, and a bus line between Degania and Natur.

The houses of basalt stone you first see are those of a Syrian village called Pik, which was deserted after the Six-Day War. Some of the houses have been reconstructed. During the Roman and Byzantine periods this was a Jewish village. Archeological findings of Jewish interest are a pillar on which was engraved a seven-branched menorah and the Hebrew words “ana yehuda hazan” ("I am Judah the cantor"). This pillar is now in the Golan Archeological Museum in Katzrin. Also displayed in the museum is a lintel from Pik with a menorah and other Temple symbols, namely a shofar, incense pan, and the citrous fruit the etrog.

From its name Pik, it has been suggested that this was the site of the biblical city of Aphek, mentioned several times in the Bible. In the 9th century BCE, King Ahab, the king of the Northern Israelite Kingdom, decisively defeated Ben-Hadad, the king of Aram, after he declared war on Israel. As told in Kings 1 28:20, Ben Hadad's army suffered numerous casualties in the battle. The surviving Arameans fled to the nearby biblical city of Aphek, but the walls of the city fell down upon them. Aramean ruins have indeed been located here. If this was the city of Aphek, then the decisive battle was nearby. However, other locations for the city of Aphek have also been suggested, and there may even have been more than one biblical city called Aphek.

Directions to the spring:

From the parking area, take the path ahead of you. At the first fork turn right. At the next fork turn either to the right or left - both ways lead to the partially reconstructed village.

From the wooden bridge is a beautiful view of the Ein Gev wadi. The hill in the distance is the site of the ruins of the Greek city of Sussita (which you can visit). Beyond this is Lake Kinneret.

Take the steps on the left to the spring via an exotic, shaded path with dense foliage on either side. Crossing the remains of an aqueduct brings you to a small pool. Be aware before you jump into the pool that it is quite deep, up to the neck of an average height adult.

Just before the pool is a short path to the spring. The source of the spring is a crevice in the rock, from which you can see water dripping. Kids will enjoy playing in its cool water.

Return to your car the way you came.

The path from the village to the spring Ein Pik is quite beautiful.

Watch the spring water drip from the crevice in the cliff. Kids can play in the water.

Visiting Mitzpe Afik (Afik Overlook):

A visit to the Mitzpe Afik overlook is worthwhile. There was once a direct footpath from Ein Pik to the overlook, but this path is no longer seems passable. Instead, walk up to Kibbutz Afik from the parking lot. The overlook is on the south-west edge of the kibbutz and can be reached by the kibbutz paths. You can also drive there. Enter "Afik Overlook" into Waze and click on “מצפה אפיק." At the overlook is a former Syrian officers' quarters, which is number 4 on the "Eli Cohen Trail."

From the parking lot ascend straight ahead and this will lead you to a southern peripheral road of the kibbutz.

Turn left and continue on the southern-most peripheral roads of the kibbutz until you reach the lookout at the corner of the kibbutz. It is in a small garden. A recording in Hebrew or English describes the view. Visit the former Syrian officers' building. There is not a lot to see inside, but it has significance in the context of the Eli Cohen Trail.

Return to your car the way you came.

Paths to Ein Pk and Mitzpe Afik: To follow your location on your smart phone, click on https://israelhiking.osm.org.il/share/wY4vknCd4z . Click on the black box with a cross at the top left of the map and it should change color to green. It is not necessary to download the program unless you wish to.

The simple memorial to Eli Cohen in the Syrian officer's building.

View from Mitzpe Afik that includes the ancient city of Sussita.

For the essay "Eli Cohen: Master Spy" — see my book "The North of Israel for Everyone: The Best Family Activities, Hikes and Historic Sites."