Tel Azeka
4.5
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4.5
11 reviews
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I visited this placeπΊπΈπ«π·π¨ππ¬π·π¬π§
Israel35,287 contributions
Oct 2023 β’ Solo
PROS
* Amazing historical Biblical site- the camground of the Philistines during the famous battle
* A prime and pristine hiking area with great scenic views and also many picnic tables as well as a clearing for a good number of cars
* An active archaeological excavation site
CONS
* It is a bit of a climb to the peak at the top
* The presence of the expanding concrete neighborhood to the northeast is a blight on the views
"I VISITED THIS PLACE"...
... to go on a solo hike. Being holiday season, a number of others were there. I enjoyed my hike and the rover dirt cars (see my photos). I also enjoyed the views. I analyzed the numerous active archaeological excavations
WAS IT WORTH THE COST?
Yes- it's free
WOULD "I VISIT THIS PLACE" AGAIN?
Of course- it's always good for a hike to a truly Biblical spot.
ADVICE
* Go to see a true documented Hebrew Bible historical tourist site
* Be aware that it is a climb (paved pathway and then uneven wide cement steps with sturdy strong metal steel railing
* This place is not an organized tourist attraction- no staff, no entrance gate (nor fee), no brochure and no explanations (although there at least 20-30 of 50 cm high stone pillars which tell the story of the Biblical drama line by line from the Book of the Prophets- but that's it, and it's only in Hebrew)
* Feel free to read my previous reviews of this place- from past years and with additional information
FULL DISCLOSURE
"I visited this place" with the plan to write a "helpful" review and to attach "helpful" photos here on tripadvisor, so if these did "help" you, please indicate that by tikking the "thumbs up" π symbol. Thanks.
* Amazing historical Biblical site- the camground of the Philistines during the famous battle
* A prime and pristine hiking area with great scenic views and also many picnic tables as well as a clearing for a good number of cars
* An active archaeological excavation site
CONS
* It is a bit of a climb to the peak at the top
* The presence of the expanding concrete neighborhood to the northeast is a blight on the views
"I VISITED THIS PLACE"...
... to go on a solo hike. Being holiday season, a number of others were there. I enjoyed my hike and the rover dirt cars (see my photos). I also enjoyed the views. I analyzed the numerous active archaeological excavations
WAS IT WORTH THE COST?
Yes- it's free
WOULD "I VISIT THIS PLACE" AGAIN?
Of course- it's always good for a hike to a truly Biblical spot.
ADVICE
* Go to see a true documented Hebrew Bible historical tourist site
* Be aware that it is a climb (paved pathway and then uneven wide cement steps with sturdy strong metal steel railing
* This place is not an organized tourist attraction- no staff, no entrance gate (nor fee), no brochure and no explanations (although there at least 20-30 of 50 cm high stone pillars which tell the story of the Biblical drama line by line from the Book of the Prophets- but that's it, and it's only in Hebrew)
* Feel free to read my previous reviews of this place- from past years and with additional information
FULL DISCLOSURE
"I visited this place" with the plan to write a "helpful" review and to attach "helpful" photos here on tripadvisor, so if these did "help" you, please indicate that by tikking the "thumbs up" π symbol. Thanks.
Written 20 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TravelDonCA
Tehachapi, CA213 contributions
Sept 2019
A small climb to the top of the hill where you can learn about Joshua defeating the Amorite kings. This is also the area where David defeated Goliath. You can see the area of the battle off in the distance. Just follow the HaElah Stream to the southeast. It turns and goes under Road 38 and around a little hill. This is the site of the battle.
Written 25 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I visited this placeπΊπΈπ«π·π¨ππ¬π·π¬π§
Israel35,287 contributions
Sept 2019
This is an update of last yearβs 12/2018 review by me.
I returned here again to lead a tour group of one 18 year old from U.S.
The area remains as it was according to my previous outstanding review, so read that too.
Updates- this rich and amazing historical Biblical site remains neglected and under appreciated and underutilized for tourist and pilgrimage purposes.... government departments and ministries- wake up to the potential that is here.
Summary- itβs in Park Britannia, a prime and pristine hiking area. There were few if any hikers but there were some picnicking Israeli families.
From the parking lot at the bottom of Tel Azeka are many picnic tables.
Yes- itβs a climb to the top. Yes- the sundial still works perfectly. Now- the bas relief showing a schematic of the lands to the east is worn and old. The blight on the landscape of the awful concrete construction to the east/northeast of this site is much worse- the green verdant mountain has been destroyed by the expansion of the nearby metastasizing metropolis of House of Sun. .
This Tel Azeka is an active archaeological excavation site- there were several new digging pits that were not there in 12/2018- some were blocking the previous walking trails.
When we left, a tour bus of evangelical Christians (also from the U.S). arrived and descended on the parking lot... they did not seem to be the types to do the hike to the top exposed to the mid day Middle Eastern sun - we decided that they would tell their fellow church members that they had been near the Biblical site.
Afterwards, we also went and drove through the forest on 4x4 road to Mitzpe Masua, the highest point in the forest and the location of the fire observation post building with the colored glass- that photo is featured here on this page. I explained how, in Talmudic times, the new month would be declared in Yavne to the southwest and a series of bonfires in mountain tops towards Jerusalem to the northwest and beyond would spread the news. This peak was part of that chain- hence its name- Torch Observation. The view across the flatlands to the coast is unobstructed.
Hey/ sorry- no photos.
I returned here again to lead a tour group of one 18 year old from U.S.
The area remains as it was according to my previous outstanding review, so read that too.
Updates- this rich and amazing historical Biblical site remains neglected and under appreciated and underutilized for tourist and pilgrimage purposes.... government departments and ministries- wake up to the potential that is here.
Summary- itβs in Park Britannia, a prime and pristine hiking area. There were few if any hikers but there were some picnicking Israeli families.
From the parking lot at the bottom of Tel Azeka are many picnic tables.
Yes- itβs a climb to the top. Yes- the sundial still works perfectly. Now- the bas relief showing a schematic of the lands to the east is worn and old. The blight on the landscape of the awful concrete construction to the east/northeast of this site is much worse- the green verdant mountain has been destroyed by the expansion of the nearby metastasizing metropolis of House of Sun. .
This Tel Azeka is an active archaeological excavation site- there were several new digging pits that were not there in 12/2018- some were blocking the previous walking trails.
When we left, a tour bus of evangelical Christians (also from the U.S). arrived and descended on the parking lot... they did not seem to be the types to do the hike to the top exposed to the mid day Middle Eastern sun - we decided that they would tell their fellow church members that they had been near the Biblical site.
Afterwards, we also went and drove through the forest on 4x4 road to Mitzpe Masua, the highest point in the forest and the location of the fire observation post building with the colored glass- that photo is featured here on this page. I explained how, in Talmudic times, the new month would be declared in Yavne to the southwest and a series of bonfires in mountain tops towards Jerusalem to the northwest and beyond would spread the news. This peak was part of that chain- hence its name- Torch Observation. The view across the flatlands to the coast is unobstructed.
Hey/ sorry- no photos.
Written 16 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
seigwailo
Paris, France243 contributions
May 2019 β’ Business
A colleague brought us to this location between meetings in the area.
It was a hot day, but from the parking area it is a short walk to the top of the hill "Te Azeka".
It's famous, but few foreign tourists come here as it is off the beaten track, and not close to other sites.
But it is a popular location for religious folk, local tours and hikers.
You can view the borders of Israel in all directions from the top, and also see the location where David and Goliath fought.
I would recommend going here.
It was a hot day, but from the parking area it is a short walk to the top of the hill "Te Azeka".
It's famous, but few foreign tourists come here as it is off the beaten track, and not close to other sites.
But it is a popular location for religious folk, local tours and hikers.
You can view the borders of Israel in all directions from the top, and also see the location where David and Goliath fought.
I would recommend going here.
Written 30 May 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
nestle diane p
Tel Aviv, Israel34 contributions
Mar 2019 β’ Business
Must see it ,the place where Joshua and the israelites fought against the amorites in this amazing mountain and place and how God helped them and gave the victory.You can.find tje whole story in the book of Joshua chapter 10 and down the panoramic view of Elah valley where the famous battle of David happened against the giant Goliath in 1 kings 17
Written 31 March 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I visited this placeπΊπΈπ«π·π¨ππ¬π·π¬π§
Israel35,287 contributions
Sept 2018 β’ Family
I love this place! It is so fantastic- outstanding scenery, outstanding views, outstanding pastoral wilderness and outstanding archaeology and actual real live Biblical history. This place has it all.
Follow the signs to Tel Azeka and climb the hill for the panoramic vista. This is the site of the heathen uncultured primitive Philistines observation point when confronting God's chosen People of Israel. See the stone markers every free meters- the story is described with Hebrew quotes from the Book of Samuel. View the excavations revealing the Phillistines habitations from 3000 years ago.
The valley spreading out to the south east (use the extant and working sundial!) is the area of the Elah River valley (way on the other side of route 38 which runs north to south). That is where the actual confrontation took place. God's Children of Israel camped on one of the hills off towards the horizon, further to the right from the valley.
Straight ahead from the Tel Azeka summit, you might see the excavation of the Davidic city of Shaarayim (the site is known as Hurvat Kiyafa).
I won't mention to concrete blight on pastoral wilderness that is going up to the east- that sorry excuse for encroaching civilization is known as Ramat Bet Shemesh with a Hebrew letter following it: there is nothing of any interest there- cultural, historic etc... except for the Biblical city of Yarmut from the time of Joshua's conquest more than 3300 years ago- let's hpe that that does not get ruined by the ygly metastasis of the city
Follow the signs to Tel Azeka and climb the hill for the panoramic vista. This is the site of the heathen uncultured primitive Philistines observation point when confronting God's chosen People of Israel. See the stone markers every free meters- the story is described with Hebrew quotes from the Book of Samuel. View the excavations revealing the Phillistines habitations from 3000 years ago.
The valley spreading out to the south east (use the extant and working sundial!) is the area of the Elah River valley (way on the other side of route 38 which runs north to south). That is where the actual confrontation took place. God's Children of Israel camped on one of the hills off towards the horizon, further to the right from the valley.
Straight ahead from the Tel Azeka summit, you might see the excavation of the Davidic city of Shaarayim (the site is known as Hurvat Kiyafa).
I won't mention to concrete blight on pastoral wilderness that is going up to the east- that sorry excuse for encroaching civilization is known as Ramat Bet Shemesh with a Hebrew letter following it: there is nothing of any interest there- cultural, historic etc... except for the Biblical city of Yarmut from the time of Joshua's conquest more than 3300 years ago- let's hpe that that does not get ruined by the ygly metastasis of the city
Written 24 December 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Approximately how far is it from the parking area to the top where you can look over the Elah valley?
Written 30 July 2024
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