From the Golan Heights to the Arava, 10 short water trails across Israel offer family-friendly outings, featuring springs, pools and shaded picnic spots beneath trees and reedsYedioth Ahronoth|11 View gallery 10 Water Trails (Photo: Eran Gal-Or)11 View gallery Yardinon Dam (Photo: Eran Gal-Or)Trail length and duration: About 3 km, around one hour.How to get there: Arrive at the Gonen Junction on Road 918 and head east toward the Golan Heights. After about 6.5 km, pass the turnoff to the Kela settlement and continue straight. After about 900 meters, turn left onto a narrow and slightly rough road marked with a sign reading “End of road maintenance.” This is the northern section of the Petroleum Road, crossing the plateau. Drive carefully and track distance. After about 1.9 km, cross the Orevim Stream. The road continues through valleys with views of the Hula Valley on the left. After about 5.9 km on the Petroleum Road, turn left onto a dirt track that descends gently, passes a water reservoir on the right, curves right and continues between fences. At the end of the fences, continue west on a rough track facing the Hula Valley and the Naftali Ridge. After about 1.25 km, the road bends left and briefly becomes smoother. Continue south, and after about 1.15 km it turns right and descends westward again. After about 700 meters, you reach a T-junction with a red-marked trail. From here, the road is suitable only for off-road or high-clearance vehicles, so park and continue on foot.Navigation note: Gonen Junction.Walking route: From the parking area, turn left and follow the rough red-marked trail uphill. After about 1.5 km, bougainvillea bushes appear on the right, followed immediately by a pedestrian gate. Turn right, pass through the gate and descend a short path to the pool. Off-road vehicles can continue following the walking directions and park near the gate about a minute from the water. Driving difficulty: easy to moderate.A pleasant time to visit the shallow pools of Ein Yarda. The Mahanayim Stream winds along the slopes of the Mishmar HaYarden area. In the center of the channel, the Ein Yarda spring emerges, forming a slow-flowing stream beneath eucalyptus trees. The wide shaded area is suitable for picnics and short stays. It is recommended to sit by the water, dip your feet and even enter the deeper pool on the western side of the stream.11 View gallery Ein Yarda (Photo: Eran Gal-Or)Trail length and duration: About 800 meters, around 20 minutes.How to get there: Reach Mahanaim Junction on Road 90 and turn east onto Road 91 toward Katzrin. Drive about 3.2 km and turn left toward Horvat Yarda. Continue on a narrow road between pear orchards, and after about 750 meters you reach a junction with a dirt road turning left down toward the stream. Park along the road. Off-road vehicles can continue to the water.Navigation note: Mahanaim Junction.Walking route: From the parking area, turn left onto the wide trail and descend. Follow the path as it curves right, ignore side paths, and head toward tall eucalyptus trees visible in the valley. After about 10 minutes, reach a T-junction near the trees. Turn left and then immediately right, entering the open area under the eucalyptus trees and the stream of Ein Yarda.Nahal Yavne’el flows year-round and offers many scenic spots. The most special is under tall eucalyptus trees at the lower entrance to the trail. A shallow stream flows nearby where visitors can dip their feet or sit in the water and enjoy a picnic in the shaded clearing.11 View gallery Shallow Pools in Yavne’el Stream (Photo: Eran Gal-Or)Trail length and duration: About 50 meters, a few minutes.How to get there: Reach Tsemah Junction on Road 90 and head west toward Tiberias. After about 1.5 km, reach Beit Yerah Junction and turn left toward the Yardenit site and Kibbutz Kinneret. Pass the Yardenit parking lot and after about 550 meters turn left onto a dirt road marked in green toward the Beitania wastewater facility. Continue south, pass several parking areas along the southern Jordan River, and after about 1.6 km reach a junction. A bridge crosses Yavne’el Stream ahead; turn right before it. Continue about 400 meters along the stream until a dirt parking area at the end.Navigation note: Yardenit.Walking route: From the parking area, walk to the water channels under the eucalyptus trees.Near the road leading to kibbutz Ein HaNatziv and Tirat Zvi are hidden gems known as the “White Waterfalls,” named for a flowing stream that creates small cascading falls among dense trees. It is a joy to sit in one of the pools on large trunk-like rocks or lie under the flowing water beneath the small waterfalls.11 View gallery White Waterfalls Pools (Photo: Eran Gal-Or)Trail length and duration: About 100 meters, a few minutes.How to get there: Reach Ein HaNatziv Junction on Road 90, just south of Beit She’an, and head east toward Ein HaNatziv and Tirat Zvi. After about 300 meters, there are two parallel dirt road turns on the left. Take the first one. Continue on the wide road past a fenced facility on the right, where dense vegetation begins to appear. After about 350 meters, the road curves slightly left. Continue another 100 meters and park when you see a convenient descent to the water on the right.Navigation note: Ein HaNatziv Junction.Walking route: From the parking area, pass two large pipes and descend into the clearing within the grove, where the waterfalls are located.The spring waters of Ein Rehanyah emerge in the upper reaches of HaShofet Stream in Ramat Menashe and flow along the valley through dense vegetation. Entering beneath a natural canopy of reeds leads to a series of small waterfalls and beautiful pools. Swimming is prohibited, but sitting by the water is allowed. The sound of flowing water, the shade of the reeds and the surrounding quiet make it a wonderful resting spot.11 View gallery Ein Rehanyah (Photo: Eran Gal-Or)Trail length and duration: About 1.5 km, around 40 minutes.How to get there: Reach Elyakim Interchange on Road 70 and head toward Ramat HaShofet and Elyakim. Pass the turnoffs to Elyakim, Yokneam and Ein HaEmek, and about 300 meters after the Ein HaEmek turn, park in a large dirt lot.Navigation note: Elyakim Interchange.Walking route: Follow the red-marked trail. The marking is faint but the path is clear. Descend about 800 meters in the sun until a junction at the entrance to Ein Rechania. Turn left onto a wide path, walk about 12 minutes, then at a fork take the right trail. Descend about 100 meters to a large clearing near reeds and an old mill. Enter the reeds to reach the pools and small waterfalls.In the northern Jordan Valley, the waters of Ein Sukkot spring from the ground, filling a large round pool surrounded by reeds, as well as a small shallow pool suitable for children. The site was recently renovated, with a wooden deck and a floating walkway leading to the main pool. A small ladder allows access from the right side, or visitors can jump in from the edge. Floatation mats are recommended. Families can also enjoy the shallow pool.11 View gallery Northern Jordan Valley: Ein Sukkot