American Independence Park

American Independence Park covers about 4,000 dunams between Beit Shemesh and Moshav Bar Giora. In the park, KKL-JNF built recreation areas, marked paths and put up signs at various sites. Also in the park: archaeological sites and nature sites. Within the park, KKL-JNF operates the Bar Giora Information Center (at the Bar BaHar Café) with information boards, maps, route suggestions and leaflets on the hiking trails in the area. From the park you can go hiking in Hurvat Beit Itab (Beit Itab Ruins), Nahal Katlav, Nahal HaMe'ara, Nahal Dolev and Hurvat Hanut (Hanut Ruins).
 
Nes Harim Recreation Area - the main recreation area in the park, not far from the Bar Giora information center. The recreation area has wheelchair-accessible tables and a disabled-accessible path that goes from the Bar Giora information center to a spectacular scenic lookout over Nahal Sorek. Other recreation areas are located at Hurvat Hanut and on the road leading up from Beit Shemesh towards Nes Harim.
 
Directions: American Independence Park can be reached in several ways: A. from Beit Shemesh and Moshav Mahseya (Route 3866); B. From the Elah Valley road (Route 375); C. From Ein Karem (Route 386).
Nes Harim recreation area at the American Independence Park. Photograph: Yakov Shkolnik, KKL-JNF Photo Archive
Nes Harim recreation area at the American Independence Park. Photograph: Yakov Shkolnik, KKL-JNF Photo Archive