Pesach is a vacation time for schools and many workplaces, which means everyone will be at home looking for something to do.  One of the traditional Chol Hamoed pastimes is to venture out to the great outdoors and enjoy the first days of spring.

Fortunately, Israel boasts a remarkable number of national parks spread throughout the country in such a way that one is never more than a couple minutes’ drive away from one. It is not uncommon for you to be able to look out of your window and see one of Israel’s 258 nature reserves and 81 national parks, a remarkable number for such a small country.

As a result of this proximity to the great outdoors, it is not surprising that Olim of all ages frequently venture out to enjoy the country’s rugged beauty  – with Pesach being a particularly convenient, and beautiful,  time to do so. Howard Glick, who moved to the Northern town of Misgav, says he loves to go hiking with his three boys, aged 2, 3 and 6. Their favorite spots are the mountains around Meron, and Nahal Amud, a beautiful trail that leads to a waterfall and natural pool.

Once they are old enough, children often set out to hike the parks and trails on their own. “My 9th grade son takes the verse ‘Rise up and walk the land’ (Genesis 13:17) very seriously,” says  Aviva Goldberg, who made Aliyah in August 2014. “He goes on every trip he can join, and right now he is literally walking across Israel from North to South in two-day increments.” This, as part of a youth program by The Society For the Protection of Nature in Israel that takes students on field trips throughout the country.

Many of the national parks are free to enter, others charge an entrance fee with membership and seniors discounts.  “I love the Israeli park system so much that I have an annual seniors’ membership and continue to enjoy trips to many different parks all over Israel!” Says Rebecca, an Olah from North America. For her, the parks are not just about the outdoors, but a great way to connect with Israel’s history, as many of the parks are located on sites of Biblical events.

For the more serious outdoors people, Israel offers more challenging hikes and trails. Josh Malchman, for whom outdoors are an integral part of life, has hiked an climbed all over Israel. His favorite hikes are in the “Machtesh” canyons in the Negev, and the multi-day sea-to-sea hike that traverses Israel from Nahariyah to the Kinneret. He also enjoys rock climbing in the Timna nature reserve near Eliat, considered one of the best climbing locations in Israel.

For people who love the outdoors, Israel offers many hiking, biking, and picnicking locations, many of them right outside your house. Seize the opportunity this Holiday of Spring and explore another beautiful part of Israel.

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