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Writer's pictureMara Seidel

Nachal HaKibbutzim - And We'll All Float On, Okay.

Length: 1.5 km walk and 1.5 km swim back; half day activity

Mode of Transport: floaties and rafts

Why Go? Cause it's hot outside, fool

Toilets? Nope

Entrance Fee? Free

What to Bring: Water shoes (not flip flops), waterproof dry bag, hat, floaties, rafts, water, picnic lunch and change of clothes for the ride home



The time has come. The only hikes bearable at this point are water hikes. One fabulous option is Nachal HaKibbutzim located in the Beit She'an Valley. To get to the parking lot enter חניון נחל הקיבוצים on Google Maps or in Waze. (Nachal HaKibbutzim Parking).


And like all water hikes, it's important to get the 411 downlow before you jump in, so here we go.


First of all, you will get completely wet - like ain't no way around it. Half the time a grown adult will be able to stand and touch the bottom of the stream, and the other half of the time said grown adult gotsta doggy paddle. My 8-year-old who is 125 cm/4 ft. 1 could sometimes touch the ground but mainly swam. Therefore, I only recommend bringing kids who are able to swim or kids who are comfortable swimming in floaties. If you do have a smaller babe, it is doable, just make sure there is an adult who will be responsible for carrying them or pushing them along in a raft or float.


We did the hike with my 8-year-old who can swim on her own, 5-year-old who is totally competent in floaties and 2-year-old who we schlepped in our arms the whole way...gah.



Like the key to all successful hikes - arrive early! We were among the first in the parking lot at 8:30am. The small dirt lot fills fast and then people start making up cock-a-doodle parking solutions.


We just wore our bathing suits, water shoes, hats and sunscreen'ed up before locking the car. We took our waterproof dry bag (purchased the day before at Lemetayel and well worth the 49 sheks) and put in one phone, one set of keys and a water bottle. And off we went. I also recommend dusting off that ugly long-sleeve water shirt for the occasion.


Pass the parking lot, you will see a natural shallow pool where people be chillin. As you keep walking you will see shaded area with picnic benches. This area will come in handy later as prime real estate for lunch.




The walk there is an easy, flat, paved straight shot on the right/east side of the stream. It's also 100% in the sun. Along the way you will pass cool youngsters camping out with Bacardi Breezers and hip music sitting on the bank of the stream...and I sigh and long for my carefree 20s.



The 1.5 km walk took us about 20-25 minutes. Follow my hi-tech fancy map below. The walk there are the red arrows and jump in to swim back with the yellow. I circled the parking in orange and the green circles are the water slides. Whaaaat?! Keep reading.




The swim/lazy float back will take you right back to the place where you started to walk. You can do the swim au natural with just arms and legs to keep you going. Or you can get fancy with inner tubes and rafts, which I highly recommend.


Let's get back to the water slides. AKA two different sets of drainage pipes that shoot you down a three meter tube which you will do at least eight times. Let my kid demonstrate:




You can climb up the stairs/rocks after each slide ride and do it again and again, but take note those stairs and rocks are super slippery! Don't be too proud - hold onto the railing. Your tailbone will thank you.


Very good to know - there are multiple exits on each side of the river bank if at any time you want to get out of the water to rest or walk back to the picnic site/parking lot. Just as well, if you want to camp out along the banks like the cool kids, there are plenty of great shady spots where you can set up shop and jump on in when the water calls you.


Also good to know - there are no bathrooms or changing rooms. Therefore, when nature calls, you gotta answer it back in nature. Another tip - front and back car doors make great curtains. And by great, I mean, not so great. But who cares...it does the job.


And of course, there is an ice cream truck. So get on and get out there!





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