Yatir forest
Green in the desert – a trip in the Yatir forest.
If you are in the Dead Sea area and you feel like some real green.
You are definitely invited to spend a day in the Yatir Forest, which is a short drive from the city of Arad,
Is a radical and especially green change from the desert landscapes in the area.
In 1964, as part of the national challenge of developing the Negev. The first trees were planted that formed the basis of the Yatir Forest.
Yatir Forest is the largest planted forest in Israel,
More than that – it is the largest forest planted in a semi-desert area in the world!!!
It covers 20 thousand dunams and contains more than four million trees,
among which you can find pine trees, ash trees, olive trees and more.
Around the forest are planted Yatir vineyards that supply the grapes for the famous wines of Yatir wineries.
On the Yatir Yatir route:
Yatir Forest is named after the ancient Levitic city whose remains can still be found there.
And you can find scenic roads, hiking trails, archaeological sites and, of course, picnic parking lots also adapted for the disabled.
There are several entrances to the forest, if you come to it from the Arad area you will find an entrance to it near Tel Arad.
A tour of the forest will expose you to dozens of varieties of trees and of course to beautiful seasonal blossoms.
In autumn, the yolks bloom. In winter anemones and cornflowers, in spring poppies and tulips.
Sites you can visit in the forest:
- The foresters’ fortress.
which was intended to be used as housing for the Yatir, staff and was built in 1967. - Bird of the children of Israel. The viewer on the eastern parts of the forest.
- Ruin of the poor
There are caves that were used as cellars and warehouses in the past.
You can also notice the decorations on the openings of the caves and also walk among the water holes scattered around.
The caves are not allowed to enter, but the highlight of the place – the remains of the ancient synagogue – are open for tours. - The path of the agricultural facilities
The exit from the water well parking lot, along its length are water cisterns,
a winery for pressing grapes and a facility for crushing olives to make olive oil.
Along the path you can also see parts of houses that were built there in ancient times.
The ruin of Yatir:
which covers 1000 dunams. Most of the remains in the area are from the Byzantine and Arab periods.
Among them are remains of a church and public buildings, residential buildings, pits and caves and more.
It is important to know about Yair Yatir:
The tour of Yatir Forest is free of charge.
It is recommended to check before arriving at the place which trail is best recommended for the trip depending on the season.
Have enough food and protection from the sun.
