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A small national park and nature reserve located about 7 km west of Jerusalem which contains natural springs and the remains of a fortified crusader farm.
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Climbing, ziplines, paintball, and other activities for adults and children.
An ancient archaeological site containing the remains of the Crusader Belmont fortress.
A very large and elaborate water cistern carved in a rock. During the First Temple period water used to be stored in it as it was mainly used for agricultural purposes. After the destruction of the First Temple, and after the Jewish population returned to the region after the Babylonian exile period, the cistern was used as a Mikveh (bath used for the purpose of ritual immersion in Judaism). During the 4th century the site became a popular place of pilgrimage and worship for John the Baptist, and on the caves walls drawings were carved which relate to John the Baptist or to Christianity.
Originally a Crusader fortress, by 1948 the Arab village of Al-Qastal was located here, strategically overlooking the road from Jaffa to Jerusalem. The site is mostly known for the key battles which were held there in April 1948 (Operation Nachshon) ending in Jewish capture of the village. The national park includes a memorial for the Jewish soldiers whom died in these battles (including a monument designed in 1980 by Yitzhak Yamin) and a memorial for the armored vehicles used in attempts to break through the blockade of Jerusalem.