Day 30 (1st April, 2020): Tel Afek to Tel Aviv

 

With the lockdown finally over, I took the train to Rosh Ha'ayin North train station. While Tel Afek is relatively close, there was no easy path to get there, so it took me about an hour to finally get back to Tel Afek (there is a closed railway station - Rosh Ha'ayin South right next to Tel Afek).

The day basically followed the Yarkon river from its source all the way to Tel Aviv (where it meets the sea)

As the path follows the river, it is extremely windy

The trail passed by lots of scenic spots by the river, including Lea house (in ruins)

as well as an old flour mill

There was a lot of walking in paths beaten out from reeds

Eventually, the path arrives in Tel Avi in the Ramat Hahayal neighbourhood and follows a paved path. It felt incongruent to see scooters around (I was tempted).

and I stopped by for an Ice americano at an Aroma next to the trail

The trail continues to follow the Yarkon river to Park HaYarkon 

I finished the day at the bridge of the Ayalon freeway (which I cross by train on my way to work)

Day 29 (part) (3rd February, 2021): Shoham industrial park to Tel Afek

 I walked this section while still under lockdown regulations - so I rode to Shoham, walked to Tel Afek, then walked back to Shoham to ride back home.

I started again from the Bamba baby in the industrial area

The trail soon goes under road 6. 

At this time of year, there was a lot of flowers around

The trail went past the Alexandroni memorial, commemorating a battle from the war of Independence (1948)

After passing Elad, the trail followed the train track:

The railway bridge (not in use) dates back to the Ottoman period 

On the way, there was a water tap provided by the water company (nice, but about 2km away from a national park with plenty of water)

I finished the day at Tel Afek (which was closed because of the lockdown)

There is a small camping site outside the national park for Israel trail hikers (with water and a rubbish bin)

At this point, I headed back to Shoham, taking a different route back for variety 

Day 28/29 (7th October 2020): Mitzpe Chen (Hirbat Regev) to Shoham industrial park

 I followed the same procedure as the previous day: I left my bike at Mitzpe Modiin in the Ben Shemen forest, and walked back to Mitzpe Chen (Hirbat Regev) where I finished the previous day.

The path was through the Ben Shemen forest, some of it with a lot of trees, other areas with less.

This photo includes the moon (which always looks much bigger in person)

I walked back to Mitzpe Modiin. Just before arriving, I passed a pagoda given by Thailand to Israel. Unfortunately locked behind a fence.

At Mitzpe Modiin there is a manned fire lookout tower - it was hot and dry, so good fire conditions (but thankfully no fires while I was there)

There was also information stands about the next segment

After crossing under the road and walking some more, I reached Tel Hadid, with similar view to Mitzpe Chen. From the signs, I saw that my university (Tel Aviv University) is involved in the ongoing dig.

The airport is close by, although I did not see any planes landing or taking off (due to the COVID-19 lockdown there are very few flights)

From here, the path followed the #6 road, eventually going under the raod

After a short while, the path led to the Shoham industrial park, with enormous factories.

and a statue of the Bamba baby (Bamba is most Israeli children's favourite snack - peanut flavoured) 

After a break for an icypole (never tasted so good!) and to buy some cold water, I headed back for my bike.

I realized I went the wrong way through the Shoham forest (looking at the wrong map on my phone), but on the way back went the right way,  including past beautiful mosiacs in a church. that was recently excavated

I sweated my way back to my bike and rode home, making just in time for sunset. Hopefully the next stretch won't require walking each segment twice!