Mekorot HaYarkon Gan Leumi Yarkon — Attraction in Petah Tikva

Mekorot HaYarkon Riverside Hike

Israel is well known for its city life and beautiful beaches.  But tucked away near Tel Aviv, there’s a different type of attraction: Mekorot Hayarkon, a small National Park rich with diverse natural beauty .

Mekorot HaYarkon (or Yarkon Sources) is home to Yarkon Stream.  At this nature reserve, you can actually see one of the springs from which the Yarkon River flows.  It bubbles down in a mini waterfall, over rocks in the middle of the park.

We’ve been wanting to get back to Mekorot HaYarkon for a while.  Last time we hiked there, I identified a really great loop trail for kids.  This trail leads past all of the best sights at the park: crumbling historical sights, a pretty walkway, a deck above a river full of catfish, lily pad...

Lots of shade and trees, good for barbecue. There's is a little sight seeing with the river etc and there ARE some plants and animals but because of past pollution you can count then at one hand in the best scenario that you see them all (like trying to watch fish in an unclear water).

It's not a place I would go to again unless I wanted to do a barbecue or stay a night in the outdoors, but that also required a phone booking.

Do note that there a tiny entrance fee that's used to...

Dog Friendly.

This nature reserve, just 15 minutes from Tel-Aviv (without traffic, with traffic this might take an hour and a half) has short hiking trails (20-30 minutes) and nice pond-view plantlife.

If you're just for chilling with friends and need a place to sit down and have a picnic, this is a great option. If you're more into hiking, then there are...