Tel Yodfat National Park and the Great Revolt against Rome

Tel Yodfat and the Great Revolt against Rome

The Great Revolt against Rome initiated by Zealot Jews took place between 66 to 73 CE and ended with the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple. A number of towns in the Galilee and Gamla in the Golan participated in the revolt under the command of Josephus Flavius. His headquarters were in Yodfat and it was the first city to be attacked by Vespasian and his son Titus in 67 CE. With the help of quotations from Josephus’ book “The Jewish War” on signs on the paths it is possible to recreate the siege of Yodfat and its eventual defeat.

Consider also an almost 2-hour circular hike that starts at the tell and continues into the surrounding countryside. The hike can also be extended to include the observation point on Har Atzmon. Nearby Moshav Yodfat has tourist-type stores and dairy restaurant and Yodfat Monkey Forest is close by.

Yodfat was a Hellenist city from the 3rd century BCE. However, it was conquered by the Hasmoneans, who made it a Jewish town and its name was changed from Jotapata to Yodfat. During the 7 months of Josephus Flavius’ command of the Galilee and Golan, he was able to fortify 19 towns and villages, including Yodfat.

DIRECTIONS FOR THE TELL PLUS SHORTER HIKE:

Time: About 1¾ hours.

Distance: About 3 Km.

Type of hike: Circular.

Difficulty: The descent on the blue-marked trail from the tel to the valley is slightly difficult, and walking sticks can be helpful for this part of the trail. The remainder of the trail is relatively easy.:

Directions: Enter “Tel Yodfat” into Waze and click on "Tel Yodfat National park". This will take you directly to the parking area at the base at the tel. There is no entrance fee, picnic benches or restrooms, although there are restrooms at the nearby tourist area at the moshav.

Public transport: Enter “Tel Yodfat National Park” into Moovit. The closest bus stop is Tzomet Intersection and this is a 2.4 Km/30-minute walk to the tell. This bus stop is serviced by a number of bus lines.

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For the overview "The capture of Yodfat during the Great Revolt - the beginning of an inevitable end" — see my book "The North of Israel for Everyone: The Best Family Activities, Hikes and Historic Sites."

EXPLORING THE TEL:

First, explore the tell by encircling it. You will see from the map at the base of the tell that there are several possible trails. It is suggested to ascend the stairs and go to the right to meet the blue trail. Then ascend via the blue-marked trail. The reason for doing it this way is to benefit from the explanations on signs about the Roman attack on the northern fortifications.

Take the sidewalk on the left through the exposed ruins of one of the residential areas of the town.

At the intersection of the black and blue-marked trails go down to the olive press located in a cave. To prepare for the siege, a city wall was built on top of the cave, so that this factory was now outside the city walls. In actuality, this would not have made much difference, since the Romans would not have attempted to ascend the steep southern side of the tell.

As you continue around the tel, be sure to enter the cave with the mass grave.

THE SHORTER HIKE:

After completing the encirclement of the tell, go back to the intersection of the green and blue trails. There is a well at this point. Go down the hill on the blue-marked footpath.

At the bottom of the hill is a gate. Turn left in the direction of the blue-marking on the gate and you will shortly meet another gate that will direct you to the right. This continuation of the blue-marked trail will lead you on a path through Mediterranean vegetation.

At the T-junction, turn right onto the jeep trail which is a continuation of the blue-marked trail. You now have a view of the tel on your right. Just before you pass around a green gate, the blue trail continues to the left (and this is the path for the longer route shortly to be described), but you should continue straight ahead on what is now a black-marked trail. At a fork after a cattle grid on the path, continue on the black-marked trail.

At the T-junction, turn right onto the red-marked trail. Follow the red marking at the right turn and this will take you to your car.

LONGER HIKE TO HAR ATZMON:

The hike above can be made several hours longer. Where the blue trail meets the black trail, continue to the left on the blue-marked trail. This will take you to the observation area on Har Atzmon. From here you have a superb view in all directions. Continue on the blue-marked trail and after some distance you will come to a four-way intersection. Take the red trail to the right. This will turn into the blue trail from where you started this loop. As for the shorter hike, turn left on the black-marked trail. Continue on the black-marked trail until you come to a fork with the red trail. Turn right. This red-marked trail will take you back to your car.

For the overview "Josephus - traitor or patriot" — see my book "The North of Israel for Everyone: The Best Family Activities, Hikes and Historic Sites."

The ancient synagogue at Yodfat. Yodfat was again populated after its destruction. On the far side of the parking lot by the tel are the ruins of a synagogue from the Byzantine period. There is a sign near these ruins, although the sign is not about the synagogue. The synagogue faces to the south. No information is available about the synagogue.

Synagogue from the Byzantine period in Yodfat.

Circular trail from Tel Yodfat

To follow your location on your smart phone, click on https://israelhiking.osm.org.il/share/qF8GTYQfAk. 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 free app unless you wish to.

Nearby places of interest:

Yodfat Monkey Forest.

Yodfat Monkey Forest is a 1-acre wildlife refuge situated in a natural oak forest in Moshav Yodfat. It has harbored squirrel monkeys since 1976, and it rescues and provides a life-long home to animals subjected to deprivation or neglect. It also contains farm animals. It is not a zoological park. Nor is it specifically directed at providing education. A delight of the refuge is its windy path through the forest, since one never quite knows what will be coming next. Close to the entrance are squirrel monkeys that roam wild, are very tame, and can be fed. There are two other areas with monkeys, but they are in cages. So, do not expect to see a lot of free-roaming monkeys. Most of the other exhibits are either birds or farm animals, some of which, such as the partridges, are free roaming. There are a number of small ponds with ducks. The paths are not stroller nor wheelchair friendly. The wire enclosures for the animals do not make for good photos. Many reviews from websites have been enthusiastic about this site, while others have been disappointed.

Visiting Yodfat Monkey Forest:

Time: Allow at least an hour and preferably longer.

Directions: Enter into Waze “Monkey Forest – Yodfat” into Waze. However, do not follow Waze directions within the moshav but park in the parking areas around the first roundabout. Then walk past the stores to the Monkey Forest entrance.

Admission: The forest is open from 9.00 am to 4.00 pm all days of the week except Friday when it is open from 9.00 am to 3.00 pm. Entry is up to 1 hour before closing, although it is recommended to come at least 2 hours before closing. Admission is 59 NIS from age 2 years, and 56 NIS through their website. Student admission is 53 NIS.

You will be able to feed the squirrel monkeys. They are very tame.

More squirrel monkeys

An emu