Ein Hemed Wildlife Reserve

Address: Ein Hemed National Park (Sataf), near Motza, Jerusalem District, Israel

Ein Hemed is an Israeli national park and archaeological site west of Jerusalem centered on a perennial spring and the remains of a Crusader-period complex. It functions as both a historical site and a recreational area.

Visitors can view the masonry remains of a Crusader hall and related structures, a reconstructed pool and shaded lawns arranged along short trails. The site is commonly used for picnics, short walks and educational visits.

The surviving structures date primarily to the Crusader era, when a fortified agricultural estate or hall was established at the spring. The site was later abandoned and has since been conserved and interpreted as a public national park.

Ein Hemed lies about 10 kilometers west of Jerusalem near the village of Motza, at the western edge of the Jerusalem Hills, and is accessible from nearby suburban roads.

• Facilities: Facilities include picnic tables and short, easy paths, making the site suitable for family visits and short walks rather than long hikes.

What to See#

• Crusader remains: Stone-built remains of a Crusader-period hall and associated masonry that are accessible along short trails within the park.
• Spring and picnic area: A perennial spring, a reconstructed pool and shaded lawns with picnic facilities that form the recreational core of the site.

Ein Hemed (also known as Sataf) is west of Jerusalem. By car take Route 395 toward Motza and follow local signs; parking is available near the park entrance. Some local buses and organized tours include Sataf; check Jerusalem-area transit services for current routes.

• Arrive mid-week to avoid weekend crowds from Jerusalem; the park is popular for local families.
• Combine a visit with a walk to the nearby Crusader ruins and the restored khan for a fuller picture of the site.
• There are shaded picnic areas - bring a lunch and linger under the olive trees after a short walk.