This is a wonderful family hike to the beautiful Meshushim Waterfall and Hexagon Pool of the Meshushim Stream. This part of the Yehudiya Nature Reserve is accessed from Route 888, as distinct from the Zavitan Stream, which is also in the Yehudiya Nature Reserve but accessed from Route 87. The Hexagon Pool is so called because of the hexagon formations of its basalt rock. Informative signs along the path describe the flora, animal life and geology of the area.
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THE HIKE
Time: About 1 hour total. But allow extra time if you intend swimming.
Distance: 2 km total.
Type of hike: Same way there and back.
Difficulty: The path is an easy one. However, the path is on an incline down to the stream and there are 400 rock steps each way (so the rangers say). Adults may find two walking sticks helpful to assure balance, as some of the steps are bit deeper than regular steps.
Starting Point: Start from the main parking area for the Reserve.
Directions: Enter “Meshushim” into Waze and click on “Nahal Meshushim Nature Reserve.” The park is a few kilometers from route 888 via an access road. There is a park store and restrooms by the parking area.
Admission: This is a site of the Israel Nature and Parks Authority. Summer hours are Sunday to Thursday and Saturday 8.00 am to 5.00 pm, Friday and holiday eves 8.00 am to 4.00 pm. During the winter the park closes 1 hour earlier. Visitors may enter the Pool Trail up to two hours before closing time. A brochure is available in English. Their telephone number is 04 628-0238. Click here for their website.
Public transport: There is no close public transport.
For the overview "The hexagons of the Meshushim Hexagon Pool and surrounding flora" — see my book "The North of Israel for Everyone: The Best Family Activities, Hikes and Historic Sites."
THE HIKE:
A popular route is the circular Lookout Trail, which takes about 10 minutes, up to the Pool Trail. Add the Dolmen Trail for an additional 20 minutes or so, especially if you have not seen dolmens before.
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Follow the signs to the Lookout Trail, where there are two lookouts adjacent to each other.
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Then follow the sign to the Meshushim Pool. The Pool Trail is initially blue-marked, although it becomes red-marked at the first intersection and continues red-marked to the pool. The return is the way you came.
Experienced hikers can consider the blue-marked Stream Trail, which is a circular hike to the Meshushim Pool. It is slightly longer than the Pool Trail described above and involves a descent on a 3-meter cliff using handholds and footholds in the rock. It crosses the stream twice on regular bridges.
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