https://www.jpost.com/travel/article-905140
The secret northern pool: A short summer route leading to a cool spring
A year-round spring, ancient mill, and Syrian camp await on a short Nahal Jilabun trail - ideal for a refreshing northern dip without a full-day hike.
Looking for a place to take a dip in the summer without committing to a long and challenging route? Hidden in the northern Golan Heights is a trail leading to a Syrian officers' pool, a year-round flowing spring, and an ancient flour mill, with the walk spanning less than two kilometers.
During days when the heat turns every outing into a major operation, routes ending in water become particularly attractive. The Kinneret Drainage and Streams Authority notes that one of the places worth knowing is located in Nahal Jilabun, in the lower section of the stream, not far from the Jordan River.
The route leads to Ein Jilabun, also known as Ein Jalabina, a spring that flows throughout the year. Beside the spring is a pool where visitors can enjoy wading in the cool water, surrounded by trees and vegetation that offer a bit of shade. The pool is not full today, partly due to its condition and water extraction, but the water on site still offers a refreshing refuge from the heat.
The uniqueness of the location is not only in its water. Ein Jilabun served in the past as part of a Syrian military camp that operated in the area until the Six Day War. The structures adjacent to the pool were used by Syrian officers, hence the name "the Officers' Pool."
The path to the spring also passes through the remains of an ancient flour mill and an aqueduct, which was apparently used in the past to convey water from the Ein Jilabun spring to operate the mill. Along the way, visitors can also take in the view of Nahal Jilabun just before it flows into the Jordan River.
What does the route look like?
The trail begins on a wide dirt road that passes between fruit orchards. After about 500 meters, turn right and continue for another 600 meters along the dirt road until reaching a left turn.
From here, the route transitions into a walking segment over basalt stones, heading against the flow of the water. After about 200 meters, you will reach the area of the ancient flour mill and the aqueduct structure. From there, continue up a gentle incline for another 200 meters to Ein Jilabun.
Overall, this is a relatively short route, making it suitable for those seeking a brief summer excursion with a clear and refreshing destination at the end.
How to get there? In Waze: Gesher Hapkak. For those arriving from south to north, immediately after crossing Gesher Hapakak, turn following the red trail marker onto a wide dirt road on the right. You can park your vehicle in this area and set out on the walking route.
https://www.jpost.com/travel/article-905140
Ein Jilabun Officers’ Pool in the Golan Heights6 min rea
Ein Jilabun is a historic officers’ pool located on the Jilabun Stream. Getting there is simple and includes a light walking route of about 1.5 kilometers from the car park.
The officers’ pools in the Golan Heights are another reminder of the Syrian regime that ruled the place until the 1967 Six-Day War. The Syrian army officers who lived at the site took advantage of the natural springs there and built impressive and luxurious pools next to their bases and outposts, which improved their standard of living. Ein Jilabun is one of those pools, four in total which are located in the Golan Heights. Among the others: Ein Jones, and perhaps the most famous one – Ein Almin – all built in a similar manner.
Despite this, the officers’ pool in the Jilabun River is without a doubt one of the most beautiful among the four. If you are looking for a short recommended hike in the Golan Heights that combines all the things that this wonderful area has to offer – running water, scenery, and green vegetation – this route is recommended for you.
The Jilabun River
Nahal Jilabun- or in its official name “Nahal Devorah” – is a stream and nature reserve located in the center of the Golan Heights along which are two large waterfalls: Deborah Waterfall, which is about 10 meters high, and Jilabun Waterfall, which is about 42 meters high – the second-highest in the country after Gamla Waterfall. The reserve is located about 4 km northeast of Kibbutz Gadot.
The stream begins near Kibbutz Ortal and continues southwest through the abandoned Syrian villages of Nefach and Elika. The Elika springs that flow in this area turn the stream into a gushing stream, and it continues west in a narrow canyon to the Hula Valley. In this part of the creek, there are several waterfalls. The stream flows into the Jordan in the area of ”the Cork Bridge” – the starting point of our route.
Officers’ Pool – Ein Jilabun
The officers’ pool in the Jilabun stream has been given the abbreviated name “Ein Jilabun”, after the Jilabun stream that flows nearby and fills the pool with its waters. Like the other officers’ pools in the Golan Heights, the Jilabun pool was built right inside a Syrian outpost for the benefit of the officers who served there until the Six-Day War, and the old and ruined buildings next to the pool were a kind of “spa complex”. And indeed, the place is definitely relaxing and pampering, with clear and cool water and a pastoral Galilee atmosphere.
The spring that fills the officers’ pool is Ein Jelbina (Ein Jilabun). The water stream of the spring was also used in the past for the operation of a flour mill, which is still in place. Since its cessation of use, nature has “occupied” the place, the tree roots have broken its stones and grown right inside the arches and the mechanism structure of the mill. A small, cracked aqueduct that was used for the plant is now covered with raspberry bushes and fig trees.
The pool complex has an extensive area built on several levels, and an open view of the Hula Valley unfolds in front of it. It is recommended to arrive at the place with a coffee set or a picnic basket ready, and just enjoy the peace and the view.
By the way – a well-known story tells us about the connection between the Israeli spy Eli Cohen and the officers’ pool. According to the stories, it was Eli Cohen who recommended that senior Syrian army officials plant eucalyptus trees around their army bases in the Golan Heights, in order to hide them from the eyes of Israeli intelligence. On the other hand, he reported it back to his operators in Israel, and this information helped the Air Force easily find and locate the bases and bomb them during the Six-Day War, which contributed greatly to its success.
Now, more than 50 years later, while we are sitting in a shaded and pleasant pool – we can also thank Eli Cohen as we remember one of the most important episodes of the fierce and difficult fight in the Golan Heights.
Please note that this is one of the most popular places in the region, so if you want to enjoy some quiet and space you should get there in the early morning. In the afternoon, and especially on holidays and weekends, the pool can be crowded. It is advisable to come prepared with suitable equipment, especially sunscreen, a hat, and other sun protection.
Getting to Ein Jilabun and the Hiking Route
In order to reach the Jilabun Officers’ Pool, you must drive in the direction of the Customs House junction on Road 888. At the Customs House junction, turn left and continue west until you reach the Gadot junction (along the slopes of the Golan Heights, after the Bnot Yaakov bridge). From there, turn right towards Road 918, and continue for another three kilometers until you reach the Pkak (Cork) bridge, next to which we will park the vehicle.
The distance from the parking lot to the officers’ pool is relatively short and is about 1.5 kilometers long. The paths leading to the pool are marked and easy to walk, And we will take the one marked in red which consists of walking to the pool and back the same way – towards the pool with a moderate ascent and in the opposite direction with a moderate descent. Part of the road is shaded, but part is exposed to the sun.
A short walk between the water paths of the Jilabun River, through the ancient flour mill under the shade of the eucalyptus trees – and before you notice you will reach Ein Jilabun.
In Waze: Pkak bridge.
For those who are interested, you can combine the visit to the officers’ pool with other trips in the area, in the wonderful Jilabun River Reserve which contains quite a few lovely places, and of course the famous Jilabun Waterfall with the pool below it.
Tips and Recommendations
As mentioned the place is highly recommended for a picnic. Just remember: you cooked, ate, consumed – make sure to leave the place clean after.
It is recommended to reach the hike with shoes that are suitable for walking in the water.
And of course, do not forget the constant warning about the minefields of the Golan Heights – always stay on the marked trails only and pay attention to the signs and fences (and respect them).
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