Bet Shean and Gan HaShlosha – Hike&Rail

Besides Dimona, Bet Shean is probably the most remote station served by the Israeli railroads. Located less than 10 kilometers from the Jordanian border and 120 meters below sea level, it is a place that few Israel travelers have ever heard of. However, the small number of foreign visitors should not obscure the fact that there is much to discover in Bet Shean and the surrounding area. An impressive Roman archaeological site and one of the most beautiful lakes in the country await you. Moreover, Bet Shean can be easily reached from Tel Aviv for a day trip thanks to its connection to the railway network. How to make the most of your day in Bet Shean, we show you here!

Arrival: Train from Tel Aviv to Haifa Hashmona (1:15) -> Train to Bet Shean (48 min).

Departure: Train from Bet Shean to Haifa Hashmona (48 min) -> Train to Tel Aviv (1:15)

Entrance fee Bet Shean National Park: 28 NIS

Entrance fee Gan HaShlosha National Park: 39 NIS

Bet Shean National Park

A must on any trip to Bet Shean is a visit to the Bet Shean National Park. In this protected area you can find the remains of the ancient city of Scythopolis. You can easily reach the entrance by taking bus line 1, which departs from the train station to the center of the city. From here you can reach the park after a few meters walk. Here you can find up to 8000 years old traces of human life. However, Scythopolis reached its heyday under the Romans and so we can visit here today some very well preserved evidence from this time. The absolute highlights here are the amphitheater, the main street lined with columns and the thermal baths. Absolutely worthwhile is also the ascent to the adjacent mountain Tel Bet Shean, the site of the now mostly decayed temple of Jupiter. From here you can enjoy a magnificent view over the entire excavation site and the surrounding countryside. If you let your eyes wander over the Jordan Valley, you can even make out the hills of nearby Jordan. Since the national park is very close to Bet Shean city center, after the visit is a good time to have lunch. Numerous authentic restaurants serving local cuisine are located in the area around the “Mika” gas station.

Gan HaShlosha National Park

After lunch, we recommend a visit to Gan HaShlosha National Park. You can get there by bus 412 from the same stop where you got off in the center. Here you will see a completely different side of Israel. A thermal spring feeds three crystal clear lakes, which have a year-round temperature of 82 °F – ideal for swimming at any time of the year! The lakes are surrounded by a lovingly maintained park. A truly magical place, named the most beautiful place in Israel by Time Magazine and even compared to the biblical Garden of Eden. Here, time seems to stand still and you can enjoy the relaxed atmosphere between barbecuing families and beautiful nature. A surprise also awaits you in the water: a species of fish that populates the lakes feeds on human corneas, among other things, and so every swim in the lake includes a free pedicure. Thus, if you don’t like being nibbled on, you should keep moving!

Those who want to return to the station in the evening hours have of course the possibility to return with the buses 412 and 1. However, the two schedules are not coordinated and the trip is extended to about an hour due to the waiting times. An alternative that is both interesting and healthy is a 6.5 km hike through the valley of the Harod River. This tributary of the Jordan River is fed by rainfall in the surrounding mountains and has been extensively renaturalized in recent years. In the valley of the Harod you pass not only eucalyptus groves and waterfalls, but also the Kantara Bridge, from which you can once again enjoy an excellent view of the valley. The hike is well worth it and can be completed in about 90 minutes.

This article has made you curious? Check out our interactive map of Bet Shean! Here you can find all bus stops, points of interest and the hiking trail:

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