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The Jerusalem Forest is a lovely green space 6km west of Jerusalem, covering about 2 km sq. Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Center, and the Tzippori Recreation Center are also located in the forest. The forest contains pine and cypress trees, as well as Palestine oak, terebinth, carob, olive, fig, pomegranate and other species of Mediterranean woodlands and orchards that used to cover the slopes of the Judean Hills.

 This is a good running spot if you’d like some green space and shade, near Jerusalem. There is a combination of narrower walking trails within the forest, most notably the 4km long Cedar Trail loop. There are also some trails and roads popular with  biking that are good for running, such as the Yosef Weitz-Ottawa Road (4 mile loop), and the roads/trails between Yad Vashem and Mt. Herzl (about 3km). Note that some of the roads are narrow and do not have sidewalks. Another good route is the the Yad Vashem-Yefe Nof Road, which road goes from Mount Herzl and Yad Vashem to the Zippori Center and from there to the Yefe Nof neighborhood, to Pirhei Hen Street. About 3-5 km, depending on exactly how you do it.

Another option is to start at the Forest entrance, from Yad Sara (which is on the corner of Herzl Street) to Yad Vashem through the dirt path or road below the dirt path.  This green trail offers runners dramatic views of Ein Kerem and the Calder Scuplture. Once out near the entrance to Yad Vashem, runners can loop back through Har Hertzl, Israel’s military cemetery.

Note: Out of respect, please do not run in or near Yad Vashem.

Essentials
  • Various Distances- Easy to put together a run of multiple km.
  • Beit Hadfus Street near the Angel bakery and the gas station. Another entrance is from Moshav Beit Zayit.
  • There is frequent bus service from Jerusalem to Yad Vashem, and light rail service from Jerusalem to Mt. Herzl.

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Essentials
  • Various Distances- Easy to put together a run of multiple km.
  • Beit Hadfus Street near the Angel bakery and the gas station. Another entrance is from Moshav Beit Zayit.
  • There is frequent bus service from Jerusalem to Yad Vashem, and light rail service from Jerusalem to Mt. Herzl.

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