Migdal Tzedek, Tel Afek, and Yarkon Origins National Parks showcase history, nature, and family fun. Together with the scenic Yarkon Trail, they offer camping, BBQs, short walks, and a 28 km route from Petach Tikva to Tel Aviv port.
Written by Zvika Gasner Koheleth 12-December-2024 (Originally 17-June-2019, Edited 06-June-2020, 27-October-2020, 28-March-2021) Photography by Angela Hechtfisch
Intro
This post took shape over two years, covering stages 19–20 of the 56-part “Israeli Trail.” It continues the theme of the Yarkon River—stretching 28 km from east to west. The journey begins at the strategic Migdal Tzedek fortress, passes through Tel Afek National Park, flows by the Yarkon Springs, and finally winds its way into the Mediterranean Sea. Just like Ecclesiastes says:
“All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full”.
Migdal Tzedek national park
Migdal Tzedek—also known as Tel Tzedek—is a newly reopened national park after six years of restoration. Sitting high on a hill above Tel Afek, this fortress has seen many lives. Built in the 12th century by Crusaders and called “Mirabel” (“Beautiful View” in French), it was destroyed after their defeat at the Battle of Hattin in 1187. Later, the Mamluks and, in the 19th century, Sheikh Zadek rebuilt it. Today, the fortress stands proudly once again, offering visitors sweeping views and a rich taste of history.
The park offers a 10 km nature trail, and we first visited just a week after its grand opening in March 2021. Back then, the fortress was still under renovation and the greenery only beginning to grow—yet the sweeping views west toward Tel Afek and the city of Petach-Tikva already stole the show. By the time we returned in 2024, the transformation was dramatic: the restoration complete, the grounds lush, and even a short 10-minute history film now adds context to the visit. Entry for adults is 28 shekels.
Tel Afek National Park General History
Tel Afek is a national park filled with ancient ruins, set between Rosh Ha’ayin and Petach Tikva in Israel’s Hasharon district. The city was founded in the 1st century BC by Herod the Great, who named it after his father, Antipater—hence the main fortress still bears the name “Antipatrus.”
Tel Afek sits at the very source of the Yarkon River, one of central Israel’s main waterways flowing all the way to the sea at Tel Aviv. This gave Antipatris (Tel Afek) huge strategic importance—from biblical times in the 13th century BC, through the Roman era, and even up to the British Mandate, when pumping stations were built here to send Yarkon water to Jerusalem.
Tel Afek Nowadays
Today, Tel Afek National Park is a great place to visit, with adult entry at just 7 euros. You can stroll through the reconstructed city, walk along the Roman cardo (main street), and explore the castle—all while enjoying panoramic views over the Dan (Tel Aviv central) district and its hotels.
The sweet-water lake, full of fish and wrapped in greenery, sets a calm and peaceful vibe. A short 15-minute stroll through the blooming Drimia lane is light and fun. Families love the big picnic and BBQ area, shallow ponds for kids, and the park’s cozy size makes it easy to explore. Leashed dogs are welcome too!
The Yarkon Origins park
The second part of the park is called “The Yarkon Origins.” You’ll reach it via Road 40, near Petach Tikva and right by the Baptist Village. It’s completely separate from the first part of the park, divided by the Kfar Saba East train tracks, so there’s no way to walk between them. What makes this site special is that it’s the actual source of the Yarkon—the second largest river in Israel after the Jordan—starting its 28 km journey right here.
It’s worth noting that “Yarkon Origins” National Park is mainly a camping and BBQ spot, even more so than Afek National Park. Walking trails are limited, but it’s the perfect place for families with young kids—plenty of space for outdoor games, relaxing under the trees, and firing up a BBQ in the open air.
You can take a short 10-minute stroll along “Lover’s Lane,” or add another 10 minutes by walking beside the peaceful Yarkon River, where giant lily ponds stretch toward the bubbling natural spring. But that’s about it—so don’t expect more than what it is. The park keeps its facilities clean, overnight camping is allowed, and entry costs just 7 euros for adults and 5 for kids.
The Yarkon River – A Scenic Section of the Israel National Trail
From the Baptist Village, on the southwest edge of Yarkon Origins Park, begins the Yarkon River Trail. Heading west, it stretches about 28 km until it meets the Mediterranean Sea at Tel Aviv’s old harbor. This trail is actually a small section of the famous Israel National Trail, which runs 1,000 km from Kibbutz Dan in the north all the way down to Eilat in the south, divided into 56 segments.
Between Afek/Yarkon Origins and Ramat Efal, the trail feels wild and almost surreal, with untouched nature all around. For this stretch, bring water, good walking shoes, and enjoy the fact that entry is free. From Ramat Efal toward the sea, the route becomes more urban, passing alongside Tel Aviv’s largest park, Yehoshua Gardens. The full 28 km can easily be broken into shorter segments, so you can enjoy it in parts with convenient entry and exit points for cars.
Yarkon River – From Ramat HaHayal to Tel Aviv Port
So we finally took the challenge and walked the last 12 km of the Yarkon River Trail—from Ramat HaHayal and Bnei Brak all the way to the rolling waves of Tel Aviv’s harbor. March’s cooler weather gave us perfect hiking conditions, and the journey took about 3 hours, plus another hour of breaks at Tel Aviv’s Botanical Gardens in Yehoshua Park. Along the way, we stopped at the “7 Water Stations” and the cozy Rosh HaMitzpor bird observatory, all tucked inside the city’s largest green park. The first half of this stretch is wrapped in natural greenery, while the second half shifts into an urban park vibe—making it a trail full of contrasts.
It wasn’t easy, that’s for sure—but the reward was priceless. Reaching Tel Aviv Port, sipping one of the best coffees we’ve ever had, sitting by the water, breathing the fresh sea air, and feeling as free as a bird (“on a wire”…)—it was pure magic.
On the second part of the walk, you’ll find plenty of spots for fresh drinks and restrooms. Comfortable shoes and a hat are a must, and you’ll need more than just basic fitness. This stage takes about 3 hours, and we grabbed a taxi back to our starting point.
