A tour of Derech HaSadot (The fields’ trail)
A family excursion through “Derech HaSadot” (the fields’ trail)
Recommended Season: All year long (The Iris Mariae blooms in March)
Region/Nearby settlements: Gvulot – Tze’elim
Difficulty level: Low. appropriate for the whole family.
Tour Duration: About 1 hour.
When was the last time you were excited by agriculture, scents and tastes, colors, the earth and the horizon? This trail features the world behind the vegetables, fruit and flowers one would find in your local supermarket.
Getting there: The field’s trail can be reached from three directions:
1. Kibbutz Tze’elim Gate – drive on Road 222 and turn to the entrance of Kibbutz Tze’elim. Before the entrance gate, turn right and find a directional sign to the trail.
2. Kibbutz Gvulot Gate – drive on Road 222 and turn to the entrance of Kibbutz Gvulot. Before the entrance gate, turn right on the ring road and follow the signage to the field’s trail (Derech HaSadot).
3. Hevel Shalom Gate – drive south on Road 232 to the interchange leading to the Hevel Shalom settlements. Turn left and go to Talmei Yosef and Pri Gan Junction. Turn right. The trail begins right there.
At the beginning of the trail, you will pass through many agricultural fields, straight rows of peanuts or carts loaded with bright orange carrots. Signs of agriculture are visible from all sides. Walk next to the plowed and irrigated fields, where potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, peanuts, radishes, wheat, and other crops are cultivated.
Remember, the farmers’ income source is the greenhouses, orchards, agricultural fields and all the surrounding beauty. Feel free to travel, see and be impressed; stop by the side road and enjoy the views. It is absolutely prohibited to pick or collect any agricultural produce!
About halfway through this enjoyable drive, approximately 1.5 km before the Gvulot Observatory, you will confront a lofty hill with great views of the entire area. On clear days one can see the city of Be’er Sheva to the east, Ofakim to the north, and Mount Helal in the Sinai desert to the south. If you are traveling in March – a surprise awaits you on the hill, and at its foot – the Iris Mariae is in full bloom!
A short drive later, you will arrive at the Gvulot Observatory, one of the three observation points established in 1943. The site is built of mud bricks and recreates the early days of the Jewish settlement (the “Yishuv”). Touring the area, which offers experiential activities for families and children, is highly recommended. After visiting the site, you will return to Derech HaSadot and continue west towards the Hevel Shalom settlements, offering additional tourist and heritage sites to explore, such as the cactus farm in Talmei Yosef, a view of the Hillel Reservoir, Ha Plada Monument, Dangour (Old Nirim), the Great Dune (for 4*4 vehicles) and more.
