Nearly two years after war halted visitor traffic, Gush Etzion is reopening its hiking trails. In a new initiative led by the Kfar Etzion Field School, dozens of tour coordinators from across the country will visit the area this week, aiming to bring back youth movements, schools, and tour groups to this historic and scenic region.
The coordinators will head into the field to reacquaint themselves with newly reopened sites, including the recently developed springs, Herodium, the archeological site of King Herod’s palace and gravesite, the Aqua Biyar aqueduct – built by King Herod during the Second Temple Period to supply water to Jerusalem, and the audiovisual presentation at Kfar Etzion. This unique blend of nature, history, and Zionism seeks to revive the spirit of educational hiking tours.
Connecting to Roots
“This isn’t just another team-building activity,” said David Rosenthal, Director of the Educational Division at the Kfar Etzion Field School. “The goal is clear: to bring back groups of children and youth, to let them learn history through their feet and develop a genuine connection to their roots and to the land.”
The organizers aim to restore Gush Etzion to full activity as a hub for educational tours, drawing students from educational institutions while emphasizing the region’s historical and geographical significance.
After a long period during which the area was devoid of visitors, organizers hope to soon see the trails bustling again with students, youth groups, and families from across the country together with tourists from overseas returning to hike in Gush Etzion.
