Kiryat Anavim: Heritage Trail and Wine Country

Kiryat Anavim brings together a Heritage Trail, a distinctive wine-growing landscape, and a military cemetery whose history dates back to the War of Independence. Visitors interested in history, landscapes, and clearly identified viewpoints will find several points of interest here.

The Heritage Trail and Its Landmarks

The Kiryat Anavim Heritage Trail was established in 2020 to mark the kibbutz’s 100th anniversary. Its starting and ending point is in the parking lot opposite the entrance to the Cramim Hotel on Route 3976. The route passes a two-story concrete pillbox with rifle slits; a deer sculpture stands on its roof. This brings together the reason the trail was created and a specific structure along the route. Check local notices before visiting.

Wine Country and Named Viewpoints

In Beka’at Amir, a single bench sits above a broad valley entirely cultivated with grapevines for wine production. A stone platform known as the “Altar” invites visitors to sit and look out over Kiryat Anavim below. From there, the view also extends to Abu Ghosh, the Ma'ale Hahamisha Hotel, and some of the houses in Har Adar. The vineyards, the solitary bench, and the specifically named viewpoints give the landscape several distinct points of interest.

The History of the Military Cemetery

Burials at Kiryat Anavim Military Cemetery began in 1948 during the War of Independence. Most of those buried there fell in that war; some fell in the Yom Kippur War. The last fallen soldier buried there died in 1980. These details trace a timeline from the beginning of burials to the year the last fallen soldier died, while also distinguishing between the wars.

Jerusalem as a Distinct Cultural Focus

The broader destination of Jerusalem offers a distinct focus on religion, history, and urban landscapes. The Old City of Jerusalem and its walls hold great symbolic significance for Judaism, Christianity, and Islam and include 220 historical monuments. The Dome of the Rock in the Old City was built in the 7th century. Jerusalem Walls National Park is located in central Jerusalem and includes historical, archaeological, and religious sites. It was designated to preserve historical, archaeological, traditional, architectural, and scenic values for public benefit.

The routes also offer different perspectives. On the Pilgrims’ Road in the City of David, visitors can walk on original paving stones once used by city residents and pilgrims on their way to the Temple; check access conditions before traveling. The Jerusalem Trail connects Jerusalem with the Israel Trail and runs through Jerusalem Walls National Park along the Kidron Stream and through the Hinnom Valley. At the viewpoint on the Phasael Tower, the city views take center stage: it stands 777 meters above sea level and offers a 360-degree view over the Old City and New City of Jerusalem.

Jerusalem’s other perspectives include nature and museum culture. The Jerusalem Botanical Gardens encompasses 150 dunams of nature in the heart of the city. The permanent exhibition at the Tower of David Jerusalem Museum spans 10 galleries and combines innovative technology, interactive displays, archaeological finds, and ancient artifacts. The broader destination therefore brings together a wide range of themes: religious and historical sites, routes through urban landscapes, nature, and exhibitions.

Choose a Vacation Rental Based on Your Travel Interests

When looking for a vacation rental, it helps to first organize the experiences you have planned: do you want to focus on Kiryat Anavim’s Heritage Trail, wine country, and memorial site, or would you also like to include Jerusalem’s urban, cultural, and museum attractions? The themes you want to shape your trip are a useful starting point when choosing accommodation.

Discover more destinations: Yanuh-Jat, Acre, Sde Yoav, Lehavot Habashan, Mevo Modi'im, Ilaniya, Evron, Ramat Hasharon.

View the broader travel overview: Israel.