Following another rainy week, Israel is expecting a warm and sunny weekend. This is a great opportunity to go down south and explore the blossoming red fields of the season amid the "Darom Adom" [Red South] festival. Here's where to go:
Ruchama Valley
This region is filled with hills, serpentine trails, and a Tuscany-like agricultural landscape. Here specifically, you won't find clustered blossoms of red anemone flowers, but it's still worth the trip, and you'll certainly catch anemone patches here and there. Nearby you'll find a lookout point from a Jewish National Fund tower, a bike trail, and a scenic driving lane along the Shikma stream reaching the Pura nature reserve.
Be'er Marva and Shukda Forest
Be'er Marva was established in the memory of Marva Babian, a member of a nearby kibbutz whose father, Rafi, made it accessible to travelers. This is where you're likely to spot mass anemone blossoms. From here, there is access to walking trails in the Shuka Forest, ranging from 5-10 kilometers (3-6 miles) and comfortable for joggers.
Be'eri Forest
The tourist site, established by the Jewish National Fund, is home to expansive clusters of anemone blossom. The site offers bike trails, guided tours, activities for children, jeep trails, food vendors, and bathroom facilities — making it a perfect place for a convenient and enjoyable family adventure in nature.
Northern Habasor road — Eshkol Region
Not many people know about this 13-km (8-mile) long scenic road which will take you through breathtaking pastoral green scenery. You can make a stop at the Shai lookout point which observes Kibbutz Nirim's large reservoir, or at the Be'er Dkalim site to stretch your legs.
Yad Mordechai Forest — Kibbutz Erez
After roughly 2 km (slightly north of a mile) of driving through the forest trail, you'll notice a hill covered in red anemones. You can drive through the Shikma trail until reaching the Carmia nature reserve, and stop on the way at the Turkish train bridge about the Shikma stream.
